Niyaz at the Temple Bar

I went to see Niyaz at the Temple Bar last night. It's been a while since they played live here in LA so it was a real treat to see them again. There wasn't any elbow room to paint during their performance, but afterwards I did this simple sketch of people dancing to the dj spinning the night away.

Skateboarders

Since there was no life drawing class this week, I joined some friends from work at the local skate park. I like my neck, wrists and ankles, so I sat on one side and drew them, before running off for a mahi mahi burrito. Mmmm. I also sketched a tree while waiting in line for the magical burrito.

Wednesday Figures



I started with some marker sketches to warm up (the last few images), then went into some ink and watercolor. I used a gold colored ink that was really thick and didn't flow all that smooth. I get the feeling these dipping pens are not made for speed. It forces me to make cruder lines though, which is kind of interesting. Anyone have suggestions for more smooth flowing ways of using ink with varying thickness like dipping pen nibs(fountain pens are usually so thin)? Anyway, it was a really fun set.

Spectrum Dance #24


I went to a performance called Spectrum Dance #24 at the El Portal Theatre. It is the 24th year of this dance show which features a variety of dance pieces by all different kinds of performers. Here are some sketches from the first night which I attended. It's interesting to see how people convey stories and emotions in different art forms. It's also quite surprising what types of movements people can do. I think it helps to not limit yourself as an animator to actions that you yourself can physically perform. Most of all it's just some great dynamic movement to try and appreciate and capture.

Figure Drawing and 7 things...


Here are some 3 and 5 minute marker figure drawings. I've tried to loosen them up a bit more than last week, by going straight marker, without laying down pencils. Also, Alina tagged me to post 7 things on any topic I want. So as a topic, I've chosen (in no particular order), "7 things to make the work day a little more interesting."

1. Pull up the online employee database (with photos) and draw funny pictures. And they thought their ID photos made them look bad...

2. Send "motivational" videos from YouTube out to your suffering comrades.

3. Sleep during meetings, but wake up as soon as your name is called for the second time, with hopefully the right answer.

4. Sneak up on co-workers who wear noise cancelling headphones.

5. Swap offices to escape flooding toilets and don't tell co-workers who need stuff from you, where you've moved. Let 'em figure it out.

6. Anonymously quote wisdom from co-workers in your email signature.

7. "Hide" co-workers' belongings in plain site. Wait. Watch. Laugh. Truthfully say you don't have it. Watch them find it on, under or beside their desk...quite unhidden.

Rupa and the April Fishes



I went to see Rupa and the April Fishes perform at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood. The first three sketches are Rupa, Ed Baskerville and Marcus Cohen. Next up was Joshua James and then Priscilla Ahn with Gus Seyfrett. I didn't manage to sketch Rupa's drummer before the set was over. Nor did I manage to stick around for the final acts...must sleep to you know. It never ceases to amaze me as to how much talent there is in this town.

Eddie Vedder and the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Hullabaloo

I went to an amazing, small show called Hullabaloo at the Henry Fonda theatre with performers like Eddie Vedder, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. It was a benefit for a great organization called the Silver Lake Conservatory of Music, which works to provide young musicians with music education and aids in purchasing instruments as well. It's a crime that the arts somehow don't play a part in public education anymore. It's too bad the country is so poor and has no money for such "frivolous" stuff. Being creative and challenging your mind is essential for anyone, whether they pursue a career in art or not. Not to mention, it is an amazing outlet for people to channel their aggresion, depression and to just stimulate the mind in general. It's great to see organizations like this one, fostering that creativity and talent. Some very good bands, consisting of kids from this program were among the opening acts. The last sketch is of one of these students. I was too packed in and jumping up and down to draw during Eddie Vedder's performance, but I wriggled out a little further when the Red Hot Chili Peppers went on and managed a few of them. Words can't describe how incredible it is to see musicians like this in such a small venue, only a few sardine packed rows from the stage.

Wednesday 3s and 5s

I did these 3 and 5 minute sketches on Wednesday. I think I'm getting a bit more accustomed to the larger sized paper. Some are straight watercolors and others are a mix of ink, watercolor and a watercolor marker. This time I used some dark green non-waterproof ink and some waterproof yellow ink.

Poets

Thanks to Haneefa for putting it together, and my friend Taz for telling me about. I read some of my writing at a coffee shop along with a number of talented writers/performers. I also managed to sketch two of the other poets. I'm glad I didn't get to "finish" the first one, and glad that I did get a moment to finish the second. I think they both worked that much better each way.

Super Big Life Drawing

So..I got a huge pad of watercolor paper and just started using it on this session I did last week. The 3 sketch image is the same as the last size paper, since I did each on half a sheet. The single figure with her arms on her head was an attempt at the full page size. It's odd working in a larger size, but something should come of it eventually. I also sketched some hands using a watercolor marker (ooh so cool!) and a little bit of yellow watercolors.