a sometimes writer

Painting from Reference: Rupert Bear by Alfred Bestall

Surprisingly, I’ve never read the Rupert comics.. but I loved watching the cartoon on Nick Jr. as a kid with my brother. I love the art style a lot but it’s a series that’s hard to go back to as an adult viewing the British colonial “diversity” through a much more discerning lens (and, from I understand, the comics are even more rife with uncomfortable caricature.) 

Richard Scarry Google Doodle Study

My spouse gave me this watercolor sketchbook for Christmas and I decided that I wanted to fill it up with illustration studies from children’s series that I enjoy. I’ve always loved picture books and cartoons and I thought that narrowing my focus in this manner would: (1) keep me engaged, (2) encourage me to try out different styles, and (3) give me ideas for how to render my own original characters further down the line.

I chose Richard Scarry for my first piece because my brother and I watched Busy World all the time as kids. I love how many details are packed into the little utopic, animal-filled world.

One of my goals this year is to fall in love with making messes. Even though I tell myself every year that I want to sketch more often, fill up a whole book, play with paint, and develop my skills, I inevitably hold myself back. I don’t know it’s so difficult to allow myself to not be good at doing something. That adage “practice makes perfect” doesn’t help either. Why should my goal perfecting a skill rather than to enjoy the process of experimentation? Of enjoying something just for me?

I want to document my process even when my art is scribbly, sloppy, and when the mistakes are at the forefront of what I’m inclined to notice. But I want to remind myself what I learned in making these messes. What stylistic choices are sticking with me? Do I prefer painting over a sketch or line art? Have I made progress with mixing colors? With layering?