The Art Kit Grows
Insider #133 pushing out of my comfort zone with new tools to draw Rohan.
Dear Insider,
(and free readers getting a preview!)
I have made a daily practice of drawing our little Rohan. He does not do very much yet, so the drawings are mostly of him being fed or asleep. Drawing him is an act of paying attention to every little thing about him, to spot every little change as he grows. In addition to me, three adult lives revolve around him all day, everyday. So drawing Rohan is also a way to pay attention to them.
In today’s Insider Post, I share how this daily practice lets me experiment with new and old art supplies - some that I was too afraid to use before, and some that I never thought I would like. Plus, the link to next month’s Insider Hangout!
The SneakyArt Post is a reader-supported publication. As an independent artist and writer, subscriptions allow me to walk the path of my curiosity instead of chasing trends and social media algorithms. Every Sunday with paid subscribers and patrons, I share revelations from being a new parent, and deeper ideas from this creative journey.
When I go out to draw, my first goal is to be sneaky. I want to be inconspicuous and I want to get away with something without drawing attention to myself (no pun intended). This means a quick drawing, a minimal toolkit, and a small sketchbook. There is no room in this setup for a watercolour set, or a 24-piece thing of markers or colour pencils. But as I spend more time drawing at home, I am no longer restrained by these rules. I am allowing myself to try new things.
The practice of drawing little Rohan everyday is also giving me reason to try new things. Because a lot of the drawings are similar in theme, different tools keep it fresh and exciting.
Changing tools can have a profound impact on your work. Using a pencil instead of the fountain pen is changing how I see what I see, and how I translate it to the page. Instead of just lines and shapes, now I notice light and shadow. Instead of the definitive line that marks the edges of objects, I dwell on more abstract concepts like mood and texture.
Every line with the fountain pen is a bold statement. There is no room for hedging or space for hesitations. The ink line is the shortest path from one point to another, the clearest expression of a shape or idea.
On the other hand, a pencil line is a thought actively taking shape. It can begin soft and end firmly. It can start with one idea but morph into another. I am still not using erasers, so every line is still right there. But a pencil line is a meandering line, not bound to a single identity, defining itself.
Looking at the same subjects, in the same circumstances, holding up the same blank sheet of paper, I am suddenly solving different problems to reach the same answers.
Dear Insider, have you pushed out of your comfort zone with new art supplies? What was the inspiration? What was the result? Please share in the comments and give me more directions to explore!
Inspiration
Over the last couple of months, I have been seeing a lot of Studio Ghibli films. If you have not seen them, I highly recommend Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, and Castle in the Sky among others.
Most recently, we watched The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and it has changed everything I thought about animation and watercolours. Do yourself a favour and catch it on Netflix!
On this subject, I recommend you read the amazing Animation Obsessive Staff.
Which is your favourite animated movie? Has it inspired your art or writing in any way?
Thank you, dear Insider, for your love and support. I am glad to have a space in your inbox and a share of your time and attention every week.
Love the subject of your recent work for obvious reasons but most because it takes me back those first months being a parent, and love that you are mixing up your tools and playing.
Awww so cute! Love your colour experimenting! I am about to embark on oil painting, I usually use watercolour but I am curious to see how these work! And Myazaki! My favourites are My Neighbour Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service. I visited Japan many moons ago (25 years?), I still have the Totoro and Jiji the cat I bought there, they will be with me forever.