Blue Damselfly Lotus Autodesk Sketch I

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autodesk sketch

I finally got a chance to play around with color schemes this morning using my Autodesk Sketch software.  I have mixed feelings about using the computer to do this.  I find it a lot easier to manipulate color using watercolor than with this software.  And, if I’m creating “handmade” goods, does too much computer use “taint” a handmade piece?  Yesterday I got a chance to see the “Storybook Stars” exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art.  Illustrators from the past 50 years were represented.  Many of them continue to use tracing paper, charcoal, pen/ink, watercolor and gauche.  They are true masters of illustration.  But, there are many masters of digital illustration as well.  I know a few of them personally.  To answer my own question, I don’t think computers “taint” or should even be associated in a negative way.  What’s more important is the freedom of the artist.  I don’t think I should be constrained by my feelings.  I love making things by hand, but I shouldn’t be afraid to hop the fence to sample what’s on the other side.

Blue Damselfly Lotus Flower Sketch

I’m still tweaking this but it’s close.  I decided to go more deco than detail on this one.  To get this far I used a combination of tricks.  The original sketch was very loosely drawn in my sketchbook.  In order to get the top radius just right I drew that with my CAD software.  I also did the lily pad ellipse in CAD.  Then I sketched in the flower and the base.  I placed vellum over that and redrew the entire image, except I enlarged the fly and added double lines.  In order to get an exact mirror image of the fly I folded over the vellum and traced the reverse image of the fly on the right.  I put the circle in last and noticed it’s not symmetrical.  So that’s what I’m fixing tomorrow.  Then I’ll scan the image and open it with Autodesk Sketch to play with some color schemes.  My goal is to complete this sketch by Friday so I can start cutting this weekend.  I’ll be using carbon paper to transfer this image to my block.

Blue Damselfly Sketches

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Blue Damselfly

The Blue Damselfly is one of my favorite nymph patterns when fishing Devils Lake.  I don’t know who invented the nymph pattern in this sketch, but it’s the one I use to take Crappies one after another in the Spring.

Process:  Made a few sketches on my lunch break.  Scanned them.  Emailed them home.  Get home from work.  Open a bottle of Pentamere Wine called Fireside.  Pour myself a glass.  Hop on the computer while dinner is cooking.  Open the scanned jpg image in Autodesk Sketch.  Add color.  Save.  Upload to blog.

Black Ants

I sketched out a few ants on my lunch break today.  A black ant is easy to draw, but printing a black ant may not be so easy.  I think the easiest way is to make a simplified two dimensional rendition similar to my “Caja de Mosca” print.  But, that’s not what I had in mind for this fly.  I’m going to attempt some techniques that I rarely use.  It’s Dremel tool time!  You gotta love using power tools to make art.

Pheasant Tail Quickie

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fly tying, Pheasant Tail Nymph, sketching

Ok, I gave myself 12 days to make a Pheasant Tail woodcut.  I started this “Dirty Dozen” project on January 2nd.  That means I have 6 more days left.  I have about 3 or 4 pages of doodles.  I decided I better pick a doodle and start cutting by tomorrow.  This is the doodle I chose (right).  It’s basically a Pheasant Tail Nymph on a Pheasant Tail feather.  I know…not very creative, BUT I’m going with it.  I’ve got a deadline to meet.  AND honestly….we’re getting our first good snow of the year now and I’m dying to get out to do some cross-country skiing.  AND…I also thought about going ice fishing this weekend…ha!  Soooo, this is it.  It shouldnt take long to cut on a 4×6 piece of shina plywood.  I should be able to print this with no problems in the next 6 days…..unless the Pike are really active…and then all bets are off.

Dirty Dozen- Sketch of Pheasant Tail Nymph

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aboriginal, Fly Fishing Artists, fly tying, pheasant, Pheasant Tail, sketching

Looking back on 2009 I got away from the things I love most.  One of the things I love is fly fishing.  Another is art.  I cant say that about running a non-profit art organization.  Becoming a gallery director is not on my list of things to do before I die.  So 2010 is about getting back to the real me.  The real me is happy in a boat, or standing in a river waving a stick trying to lure a Bass, Crappie, Pike, Bluegill or even a trout to bite my fly.  When I’m at home I like to make art that reminds me of being outdoors.  It’s just that simple.

My first project for 2010 is called “The Dirty Dozen”.  I decided to make 12 woodblock prints.  My goal is to make one every 12 days.  The first is my favorite little nymph, “The Pheasant Tail”.  I dont know if this sketch will turn into a print?  But, I like the feeling I get from it.  My work tends to look a little aboriginal at times.  To me this looks a little like an African mask.  The image surrounding the fly is a slightly embellished version of Pheasant feathers.