
INKING, LINE WORK, AND THE ART OF ILLUSION
I was asked about my line work and how to keep a steady hand.
Well if you watch these clips closely, you will notice I do not have a steady hand. You will see me go off line occasionally. I try to put the line down as quick as I can without obsessing or worrying about the line being straight. Most of my inktober drawings simply create an illusion. If you look closely at any of them you will notice they are very imperfect.
If you are having difficulty drawing such lines, just keep practising and it will come. This isn’t a dark art. It just requires practice and not throwing the towel in after the first day of failure.
I have looked at some artist’s work, which at first glace looks stunning but when I look closely, it is an illusion created by the overall appearance. That is not to say the work is not skilful. It is actually stunning work but the initial impact blinds you to it’s imperfection The fact that the illusion works is evidence of their skill.
My drawings may be an illusion but I wouldn’t go as far as to put myself in the same class.
#INKTOBER DAY 21 : ARMLEY ROOFTOPS
Rooftops above Branch Road, Armley, Leeds.
#INKTOBER DAY 20 : Leeds Kirkgate Market
Lots of sculptures to be found on Leeds Kirkgate Market, on Vicar Lane. The largest covered market in Europe. Opened in 1882.
#INKTOBER DAY 19 : Skull carving on the Sam Wilson Memorial
Skull carving on the Sam WIlson Memorial, Lawnswood Cemetery, Leeds.
The Grade II listed memorial to Sam Wilson is by Edward Caldwell Spruce and is of black marble with bronze figures of Faith, Hope and Benevolence.
#INKTOBER DAY 18 : LEEDS TOWN HALL SCULPTURE
One of many regal sculptures to be found on the wall of the Town Hall facing Oxford Place
#INKTOBER DAY 17 : ABOVE THE ENTRANCE TO WHITELOCKS ALE HOUSE
This sculpture can be seen high up on the Thornton & Co Ltd. Indian Rubber Manufacturers building.
Built in 1918 by Sidney Kitson.
Above the entrance to Whitelocks Ale House, Briggate, Leeds
#INKTOBER DAY 16 : THE BIRDS
Bronze sculpture at 1. City Square, Leeds.
#INKTOBER DAY 15 : LAWNSWOOD CEMETERY, LEEDS
Getting in by the skin of my teeth! Had too much on today. Seriously didn’t think I would make today’s entry.
Lawnswood Cemetery on Otley Road, Leeds, is a real nice place. I could settle there.
The Pentel Brush Pens I am using for the current #inktober drawings are holding up well.
#INKTOBER DAY 14 : 26 PARK ROW, LEEDS
The Scottish Union and National Insurance Building, in Leeds, is home to some gorgeous sculptures by Joseph Thewlis. If you live in Leeds you’ve probably passed this building a thousand times. But have you really seen it?
Built in the early 1900’s (1907?).
I’ve ramped up the goth factor with the lighting on this drawing. I will post the original version later.
#INKTOBER DAY 13 : THE YORKSHIRE PENNY BANK
The Yorkshire Penny Bank.
This building is now The Aspire Building, on Infirmary Street, Leeds . If you look up to the top of the tower on the corner of the building, you will see the four gargoyles watching over us. There are some gorgeous architectural features on this building, designed by GB. Bulmer. Opened in 1894.
I was going to leave the rendering off this drawing but I couldn’t leave it alone.