Fun with Type

I've been experimenting with illustrating type lately. Here is a piece I recently completed. This was done with white pencil on black paper, the color was added later. I'm growing fond of pencils again, and like that they don't need time to dry. I'm working on another that is similar to this one, soon to come.

'G' is for Gummy

Since I'm on a kick of illustrating type, I thought I'd share the process of something I did complete over the past few months. Although it was made awhile ago, I still think it's worth posting.

This was a fun project for the Alphalimn exhibit for Phoenix Design Week 2010. I was given the letter 'g' and chose to express it through the medium of gummies — 6 bags worth of gummy bears and worms to be exact. Here's some of the process:

This was my first version, a gothic 'G'.
































The 2nd version of a san-serif 'g' turned out more fun.

The final version.

Here is my final version featured in the Alphalimn exhibit at Sitewire in Tempe, AZ.

I had fun with the process of this project, and if anything, it made me want to experiment more with different or unexpected mediums.

(Big thanks to Paul for helping me!)

A year later.

Yes, I'm still alive. I guess since this blog is named neglected canvas, it's expected to get a little neglected itself, right? I've been pretty busy over the past few months with moving, life, etc., but have been sketching ideas in the process.

To reflect on the first year of having this blog — I'd say it was good for me. I didn't get as many actual pieces done as I had hoped, but just the fact it was always on my mind to keep going, allowed improvement to the way I approach the process. For this year, I have a goal to pick up the pace. I need to manage my time differently so I can actually get my ideas out from the sketchbook and onto a canvas. Also, although I started this blog with the goal to paint more, I'd like to experiment with more mediums than just paint.

I've debated a little between continuing this blog on Blogger, or switching it to Tumblr. To me, blogger feels a little clunky when it comes to the ease of posting. On the other hand, Tumblr feels super user-friendly, but feels almost too loose. I haven't decided if I want to make a switch yet. If I do switch, it's unfortunate that Tumblr can't import my posts from Blogger. If anyone is out there reading this, feel free to leave your experiences or opinions of switching blogs, I'd be interested to see what you have to say.

Well, here's to another year! I look forward to more progress and improvement toward my neglected canvases :)

Learning.

Last month, I started painting a word on canvas, and thought it would turn out better than it did. I'm so unhappy with the results, I don't even want to show it (yes, it's that bad). So once again, I have no artwork to show.

I did learn from it though. I started out with a rough sketch, and thought once I got it on canvas, the paint would form the letterforms and I would improvise as I went along. This was not the case. Instead, the letterforms came out looking poorly constructed and weird.

Next time, I'm going to approach the process differently. If I want to include typography in my paintings, I really need to focus on the letterforms more and make a tight sketch before transferring it to the canvas to paint (duh). I should have known better than to slap a loose sketch on canvas and think it would magically work itself out...

Which brings me to another part of the process— transferring a sketch to a larger canvas. I don't like to sketch directly on canvas. I find the pressure from the pencil/pen and erasing disrupts the surface and would rather work my ideas out on paper. So to transfer my sketch onto canvas, I usually use a technique from my design school days that is similar to using graphite paper. This process can get annoying, especially when the canvas is larger than the transfer paper, which then I have to tile my sketch together.

As a solution, I've been thinking about getting an artist projector, which would make the transfer process easier and more accurate.

It's hard to say when I will have some progress to post about, but I'm not giving up on this yet...

It's already May?

Wow, April is over. I had a mental deadline to complete at least one painting by May 1, but unfortunately it didn't happen. Above is the result; a sad neglected canvas :(

However, almost every day during the past couple months, I have been thinking and sketching subject matter, ideas and concepts for new pieces.

While working out my ideas, I found that since working on these past projects...

I've grown fond of illustrating typography. Although most of my experience with illustrating type has been finalized on the computer, I think it could be fun to explore and experiment through paint.

Over the next couple months, I'll continue to think/sketch for new subject matter, but for now, I'm going to focus on illustrating type through paint. I should have at least one painting or more to post no later than July.

Until then, here are some links of beautiful type illustrations/treatments that I truly admire:

Alex Trochut
Marian Bantjes
Jessica Hische
letterPLAYGROUND
Typography Friday
Friends of Type

First painting complete.

Alright, I think I'm done with this painting. I may touch up some areas, but for the most part, it's done.

Here's the photo I referenced. I left out the fence shadows and collar.

I found that having a mental deadline to finish helped with procrastinating. I'm not sure what I will paint next, but I have some ideas. The rest of my canvases are larger than this one, so I might have to give myself more than two months to finish. Maybe.

Making Progress

My first bi-monthly deadline of the new year is only 2 weeks away. Here is my progress so far... an unfinished painting of Red, the dog. Like my nice makeshift painting studio/corner? I will post the final painting soon (hopefully).

Unwanted art supplies found me

Coincidently, after deciding my New Year's resolution, I received some free art supplies. My dad's friend gave him boxes of art supplies he no longer wanted, and I was happy to take them. I definitely got some good supplies from those boxes: two eisels, tubs of acrylic paint, aprons, oils and more... they will be put to good use. Thanks Tim!

My 2010 Resolution

I noticed I've been neglecting the side of me that loves to paint. I forget how good/theraputic/fun it can be. So, while pondering what my 2010 resolution should be, I decided: I should paint more often.