Little green house
Posted: October 27, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized 19 CommentsI don’t get much practice drawing from above, but from my hotel room in Princeton I could see this green house. The only sketchbook with me on this overnight trip was a small Moleskine which was an unfortunate choice. I think I really needed a bigger sheet to situate this building properly in its surroundings. The result of working on paper this small? My little green house looks like a doll house!
Edward Hopper once commented that he often cut off the top or bottom of his paintings on purpose to force the viewer to imagine what lay beyond the canvas. All great minds think alike. Au revoir, Jacques
Bonjour Jacques,
You seem to have a wealth of knowledge about the great Edward Hopper. Did you read a wonderful bio that you can recommend? I am just finishing another artist’s bio and would gladly take a recommendation from you.
Bonne journée mon ami!
I have “Edward Hopper, The Watercolors by Virginia M. Mecklenburg” which is a comprehensive, chronological history of Hopper’s life that I bought at an exhibit at the Whitney Museum in NYC which has the largest Hopper collection in the world. The illustrations aren’t as vibrant as some of his work, but the historical data is interesting and lends a lot of trivia facts to his work. You remind me often of his style though you are much better. My calendar sales are up 16% over last year, hooray. Your student/friend John
That’s great news about the calendar. I attribute it solely to the knowledge you acquired in Montreal this summer!
I will look up the book. Thanks for the info mon ami.
I am so happy to have discovered your Sketchbook. I am in awe of your talent and look forward to receiving your daily new post!.
Well thanks so much Ineke!
Neat. From a hotel room, you sort of have to take what you get. Turned out kinda nice.
~Fleetwood
As far as hotel rooms go, this one had a relatively interesting view. Could have been a lot worse.
Fantastic !
Thanks!
Another beautiful painting of course Shari, Einstein would have loved it! (I believe he was a prof there, heck he may lived in that house)
I wonder if you could tell me what pen or brush you use for your line work as it is a great combo with the wash? I was a commercial artist for 30 years and your style is reminiscent of the best marker illustrators in the 60’s and 70’s.
Thanks,
James Hancock
Toronto
Thanks so much James! This isn’t Einstein’s house and I didn’t get to even drive by it but based on my quick tour I’d love to go back there someday when I have more time.
As for the pen, I most often work with a Micron 005. It has a really fine point on it but it’s actually a very impractical pen because the point is used up in the blink of an eye. If I could find a substitute that lasts longer I would gladly switch but I haven’t found anything as fine yet.
Thanks Shari,
I think I accidentally deleted my access but I will try to reconnect. Are you using a Sharpie now instead of the pen you mentioned?
James Hancock
I use everything. When I want fine details like the house I use the Micron. For the musician I wanted a line with more character so I used the Sharpie. But I carry around so much stuff in my bag. These are just my two favourites.
I like your little green house. To me it doesn’t look all that little. It would be difficult to achieve all that detail on a small moleskin page! For me anyway.
Yes, it was a bit ambitious for a small page but I learned my lesson. Bring the bigger book next time!
Hi Shari.. my friend offers to look after my 2 little dogs if i do make the trip to Montreal…
am i on your mailing list? can i please ask what is that green colour on the house?
Hi Rooi,
I will double check to make sure you are on the list. That green is a mix of a few colours on my little Van Gogh palette. Probably some cerulean blue and yellow ochre.
Love this one, and though it may be small, it’s huge on detail, color, and overall feel.