I'm a graphic designer and calligrapher who has recently ventured into illustration. I have a very tight, realistic drawing style which attracts some clients but I also want to grow as an artist and explore other ways of drawing and painting. I also want to draw for the shear fun of it -- no expectations, no goals, just exploration and discovery. It helps to have a plan I can physically look at and help me remember to set aside 10 minutes to have fun.

14 Days of Drawing - image 1 - student project 14 Days of Drawing - image 2 - student project 14 Days of Drawing - image 3 - student project

Day 3

Drawing with a brush pen. I was surprised at how sensitive it was to the touch. I also liked the subject a lot -- it was a lot of fun trying to understand how the curves and points come together.

14 Days of Drawing - image 4 - student project

14 Days of Drawing - image 5 - student project

14 Days of Drawing - image 6 - student project

Day 4, 5, and 6

Took a break over the weekend and surprised myself by picking up where I left off. Setting an appointed time to draw (first thing to do) and getting my supplies pulled together beforehand is key. Right now I'm working with a lot of different media but I see myself settling down with 2 or 3 moving forward.

14 Days of Drawing - image 7 - student project

Day 7

Here's the note that was cut off in the pic:

"Took longer than 10 min. but thoroughly enjoyed drawing despite the challenges (complexity, foreshortening). Now I actually want to do a more finished drawing or a painting of this plant!"

14 Days of Drawing - image 8 - student project

Day 8

Note from today:

"-felt a little rushed today but was glad I took the time to sit down and draw something (ink bottle)"

14 Days of Drawing - image 9 - student project

Day 9

I drew with a brush ink pen and was surprised by the dry brush effect I was able to get with the side of the brush. It comes in handy for making gradations for shading.

14 Days of Drawing - image 10 - student project

Day 10

I was originally going to draw this tape gun in pen and ink but at the last minute changed my mind and went with a wax crayon. I think deep down I knew that if I did it in pen and ink I would get bogged down in the details. I've actually painted this tape gun before and managed to show a lot of detail but this time I just wanted to approach it in a different way with a less exacting medium. Using a wax crayon was a new experience and I want to explore it more.

14 Days of Drawing - image 11 - student project

Day 11

As I go through this daily exercise, I'm finding that I am surrounded by subjects for my next painting. I am thrilled to discover the play of light on shiny objects, the eruption of leaves on a succulent plant, and so many other strange and wonderful qualities in everyday objects.

14 Days of Drawing - image 12 - student project

Day 12

Drawing with a gel pen today. This shell was challenging to draw. I think it warrants closer examination.

14 Days of Drawing - image 13 - student project

Day 13

Confession time: I'm doing another daily drawing project, which Ohn Mar specifically asked us NOT to do. As this exercise nears its end for me, I will carry the lessons learned moving forward.

14 Days of Drawing - image 14 - student project

Day 14

Last drawing for this class.

I'm so glad I did this class project. It helped me get through some psychological hurdles blocking me from developing a daily art practice.

I find that it helps me to have an external motivation. I like to think that I can internalize this motivation but I think it would be smarter for me to set goals out there in the world, being accountable to myself and other people.

Emily Gallardo

Artist, Calligrapher, and Designer

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