Sunday 13 January 2013

New for 2013



Paper 53

First of thanks for the get well wishes.  We are both feeling much better, although not 100%. The last week has seemed like a month and I am hoping to get back into full creative mode soon.  I have been starting on some appliqué exercises for my City and Guilds, but my concentration is poor at the moment.  Meanwhile I have been exploring drawing on my iPad.  I have been using two apps; Paper 53, which is free with a mixing palette upgrade for peanuts, and Brushes which is also free but you can buy a layers add-on for £1.99 which I haven't got - yet. I have also got a cheap stylus as I found using using my finger didn't give me the control I wanted. I thought I would share these explorations with you, in case you're interest. You will have to excuse lots of sketches of Marvin as I have mainly done these from my armchair in the evenings and he sits next to me, making my perfect model.  Unfortunately he is nearly always in the same pose - asleep!
Paper 53

Paper 53
I started by using 'Paper' - this has a pencil, pen, felt tip, fibre point and watercolour brush tools. You cannot vary the width or zoom in and out. However it is great for quick sketches.  I like to draw with the pencil tool and then fill in with the watercolour - this gives you depth of colour, but it is a broad line. You can take colour out with an 'eraser' which is broad, or by drawing with white or a paler colours to add texture.

Paper 53

However I got rather frustrated by not being able to work up any detail so decided to download the Brushes app. This is 100% more complex.  It has loads of brushes, each one variable, an infinite mix colour palette and colour sampler so you can match colours and you can import pictures to work on.

Paper 53 plus Brushes
So this one of Marvin was started in Paper and then imported into Brushes - I just couldn't have got the detail on his tongue with Paper.

The drawback with the more sophisticated Brushes is that it loses some of the spontaneity of the simple program. This face was done by starting with a black page and then removing the colour. I like to draw faces when watching the television - they end up being an amalgamation of characters.
Brushes

Brushes
'Marvin Dreaming' is an experiment in mixing, and below an attempt at a landscape copied from one of my photographs.

Brushes
The main purpose of this is to refine my drawing skills, but of course I also have to conquer the electronic sketch. Nothing will replace paper and paint, but it is good at making you look and analyse colour and shape. 
Just to prove something else is going on...




some stitching in progress - more of that later.

The sun is shining here at last, but it is very chilly. 
I do hope you have a good week, 
Jill








11 comments:

Su said...

I have both those apps too. I use paper more as a quick sketch book types of thing and agree brushes is far more detailed. The layers app to go with it is well worth it. Love the sketches of your cat, he looks a very handsome fellow :-)

Maria Ontiveros said...

Helena Catt sent me your way, as I also just posted about Paper! You're more advanced with it than I am, but I do think I'll enjoy it.
Thanks for sharing!
Rinda

Joy said...

Hi Jill, thanks for sharing your work from your iPad. I had thought of buying one, didn't know they had this feature--it's a whole new world,isn't it? I like your drawing of Marvin.

vintagerockchick said...

Ooh I love those drawings! I have Brushes, and dabbled a bit, but you are clearly much more skilled than me. Very inspiring though and I must have another go.

ju-north said...

All this technology is so inspiring! Great to see how you can apply it to further the development of your work!

menopausalmusing said...

This post is a sheer joy to read. Not having an ipad it means I can get a bit of an understanding of what they can do. I love the drawing of the mug in particular. I have bought a sketchbook and waterbrushes and am having blank page syndrome since it is sooooo long since I did anything in one!

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Go on Jill, splash out with that £1.99 because I think you've got the bug with this and have got a real feel for the medium. The sketches of Marvin are really good and I smile when I read that you want to sharpen your drawing skills because I'd give my eye teeth to have a fraction of your ability!

Emma said...

I know nothing about virtual apps, brushes or layers! Can you print these lovely drawings out, store them somehow? A lovely addition to your 'sketchbook' but would be great if they could be a series of prints.

Joanna said...

Beautiful ipad sketches - Marvin looks super cool!! The bowl and mug are superb - I want to have a play too, it looks such fun!!

xx

Anna said...

Great sketches, you're really good on the iPad. If I get one I think I'll need a lesson! Marvin is becoming famous!

MILLY said...

Hope you are feeling much more like yourself by now. I think you have done brilliantly with the iPad drawing. I have played with it a little, but still prefer the real paper and tools. Your sketches of Marvin capture him wonderfully, laughed at him on your bed.....wishing he could make some tea!