A Good Day

Dearest Alex,

Today was a good day. I've had such trouble getting my drawings to behave lately, so to have everything work out splendidly today came as somewhat of a surprise.

My intention, when I woke up, was to finish the last third of a very complex two-page spread in ink (yes, the drawing is complex enough to require me to split it into 3 parts and make it very "wide screen" for me to tell the story the way it should be told) and then to take the three pages outside and paint in this glorious, unusually warm March weather. As is usual with intentions, this intention did not come to pass. The last drawing proved very intricate, then I had to go back on the computer and add the floor design I forgot to add with my initial printout, then I traced that design with ink as well... By the time I was done, and have consumed some lunch, it was 15:30. Too late in the day to begin painting outside. Instead, I finally had a shower, lathered on sunscreen, and took my iPad and Harold Speed's book on Oil Painting to read.

I could barely focus on the pages--the sun was that bright--so I got my wide brimmed hat and sunglasses, reposed in a collapsible chair and spent the following two hours reading and taking notes. There was quite a nice passage about art being an expression of that something intangible, a proof that there is a world outside of our perceptions... But, I did not copy that down, focusing on phrases I may quote in some of my upcoming articles.

I also flirted with the idea of writing my April article, but I decided that needed more intellectual stimulation than I could give lulled by the warm sun. However, I did decide (while I was in the shower) to focus my article on introducing elements and principles of design, and then exploring the most useful drawing tool: the line. I will have to create a number of sketches to illustrate my point, so I should get moving on the article soon.

Jay is the only one of my friends who contributed his sketch page for my previous article, but there were a few others who said they will contribute in the future. I do not understand why all of them are so reluctant. We should help each other as much as we can, instead I find most people threatened by other's talent. I cannot see the downside. They can watermark their sketches if they so wish, the way I do, and I will link to their site and spread the word about them. Sure, my blog is new so it does not have as many followers, but that will change as more and more people discover the wealth of free information available to them with each article I write.

Yes, I know I do not know everything, but I've been well educated, and I continue to educate myself, so I know something, and every little bit helps.

So, despite my not getting to paint as I wished, I did have a wonderful and productive day.

The weather will worsen by Friday, so I'll stay indoors again, and maybe by next week I'll have that 3 part painting done, and another giant hurdle crossed off my illustration path.

Tomorrow, if I manage to get tickets, I'm off to see Seagull at the National Ballet of Canada.

Life is good.

Love,

M