Saturday, September 23, 2006

Patty´s Drawing Grid Challenge


Patty over at The Drawing Club posted a drawing grid a while ago (see here) and asked if anyone was interested in joining her in drawing more grids. I did, and this is the result. I liked doing this, it was actually quite easy to fill this grid (the idea was to fill it in one sitting) instead of doing one drawing on a whole page in my sketchbook. It´s not threatening at all to fill one small rectangle on the paper with a tiny drawing, while at times, on a bad day, it can feel like an enormous job to fill a page. I don´t think this will become my new daily drawing habit, but I will certainly do this every now and then to practice some composition and just get my hand going on a bad drawing day.

This grid was filled on the same day as the previous drawing below - the one that drove me mad. The grid was a joy to draw after that one, but I did have a hard time finding subjects for all those little squares. I´ll say it again - pine forests just aren´t my kind of environment.

22 comments:

Clare said...

Oooh Nina, I think your grid is fabulous, I could get into grids after seeing this. I love dropping into your blog, your drawing always inspire me to practice more and try harder. Thanks for sharing.

Teri said...

This is very interesting Nina, I may have to try it also. I love all the little spots of color.

Jen said...

Hi Nina, Your grid is great. A real 'thumbnail' of your day in the forest. I love the format and the colours that you have used.
Jen

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, Nina. I've been working on filling a grid with a drawing every day. Of course, some days I have to do more than one...

Yours is an inpsiration, and I think I'll try the "one sitting" kind of grid, too.

Anonymous said...

Nina, I love your grid - the variation in square size, the full use of the space and the color. I did a grid with one square per day for a trip we made to Italy and really enjoyed doing something small in addition to full page sketches each day.

Felicity Grace said...

It's a visual delight! It gives a real feel of your environment and activity.

Anonymous said...

Each square is nice on it's one, but together it's great to look at. Interesting idea. I'll do that too

littlemithi said...

Its BEAUTIFUL! What more can I say ... especially like the "my thumb on the corner of a page"

Anonymous said...

Nina, you are amazing. Your sketches from your summer holiday were exquisite. And this grid of sketches is like opening a box of fabulous bonbons---every piece a miniature delight. I think I'll incorporate Patty's grid idea into my next travel sketchbook. I recognize your portable tripod stool---I have its cousin ;D.

Patty said...

Hi Nina

wow! the grid - however - originally was mentioned over at EDM

your colors and everything about this grid is totally wonderful

happy sunday!
patty

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! This would make a lovely greeting card or postcard. Just curious - what size is the original?

martha

Lydia Velarde said...

This is so beautiful and inspiring! Thanks for sharing your grid.
Lydia

Anonymous said...

I've seen you and other's using the grids or boxes to do the small sketches. I hadn't tried that but did so for the first time this weekend. You're right. It's a good way to get into sketching, without having to face an entire blank page! Love your piece, btw!

Rachel Murphree said...

Oh, Nina...I can definitely see this matted and framed too. it's just beautiful. I love how you have different size openings, and the white space between each defining it. Fantastic!

pedalpower said...

Lovely!These grids you all are doing make me want to do one. I've only done one once, and it does get you going when you feel reluctant to draw.

Unknown said...

Wonderful drawing and idea!
I'll have to give this a try sometime

Alison said...

Lovely grid page - Thanks for sharing it- looks like a few people are inspired to have a go -maybe I'll make time too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nina,
Lovely grid. I like the colours and the composition very much.
Cheerio, foundobjectsman

Anonymous said...

After reading about the grid craze on EDM I see yours. Very nicely done. Now you have more than one memory on a page. It created quite an interesting graphic and is fun to follow

Anonymous said...

Loved the grid. It makes me think of comic books...Wonderful composition!
I like the idea of breaking it up with a grid, because at times, I want to draw more than one thing, but I end up miscalculating the size of each "thing"
Did you make the grid, and then fill it?

Nina Johansson said...

As an answer to Glassgirl´s question: Yes, I did the grid first, drew random squares and rectangles on the whole page of my sketchbook, and then filled them one by one.

Anonymous said...

oh so beautiful, I can't draw as good, but I think I'll have to try a grid some day. :-)