Quarantine Sketchbook

Some days it’s a real chore to get the old imagination flowing. I came into the studio today thinking that I would be able to dive right into an oil painting that has been on my easel for the past week and a half only to spend a half hour staring at it blankly. Whenever this happens I try to remind myself what a fellow artist once wrote ...” Simplify. Draw what is in front of you. Relax, enjoy your surroundings and breathe.” Sometimes this advice is hard to follow, especially if there is a deadline involved. But, I do feel it’s good advice and I myself tell my students to not be afraid of accidents. You learn from them and sometimes they come out as happy accidents like that perfectly placed ink blot. I have not given up hope yet as there is still a good part of the day left. But, if this block continues I’ll know I can take comfort in knowing I can look right out my window and find something to draw.

Beaches are closed which means you have to get a little creative when it comes to getting some sun. Sitting in front of a sun lamp probably isn't the best way. I remember my sister getting one nasty burn when she dozed off in front of one those bad boys. Bubbling skin does not make a great first impression on a date unless your the main course for a bunch of cannibals. If that is case, please go light on the Hawaiian Tropic lotion...it really takes away from the taste!

I am sure that many of us are asking this same question every morning... "What the hell am I going to do Today?!!"  Well, thank goodness you are reading this blog because here are some answers right here!

No live music basically sucks! I do appreciate all the live streaming that is going on but we all know it's just not the same. Is what it is for the unforeseeable future. In the meantime please keep it up all you out of work musicians!

Well, another backyard piece done in ink and watercolor. I promise to leave my yard after this one! This is a little plastic blue chair which my great niece likes to sit in when she visits. It's been awhile so she's probably too big for it now. It always ends up with a planter or something on it and I'm afraid it's days are numbered just like the fire pit in my past post.  If you would like a watercolor of something in your yard or just something you would like to have a picture of, send me an email and we can take it from there. my email is mark@weberillustration.com I hope that you are all hanging in there. Thanks for visiting and take care.

Despite the dreary weather, I had to get some fresh air and after taking the dog for a walk I grabbed my sketchbook and sketched our fire pit in the backyard which has definitely seen better days. A new stone one is on our project list. An old bird house is currently residing in this one, ready for the next fire. Hope you enjoy it.

The wifey getting some work done at home. Pencil and watercolor on paper 12x16 inches. I was tempted to ink it but I like the softness of it. I might do a second version, we'll see.

Like many of us, I am missing Sports. My favorite hockey team the Philadelphia Flyers were looking great the last few weeks before everything was put to a halt. April without baseball is going to seem surreal!  Anyway, my heart goes out to all us sports fans. We will get through this and life will go on. Perhaps much different than ever before, but it will go on. If you would like a watercolor of your favorite athlete or have an idea for a commission, please send me an email at mark@weberillustration.com  and yes, I don't care if you are not a Flyers, Phillies or Eagles fan, I am not a biased kinda guy.  Hell, I have to earn a living! Enjoy your day. M

Day 6 Everyone has a different way of passing the time during these days of social distancing, quarantine and self exile. They are all good solid choices, from binge watching to finally reading that book that's been sitting on your bed stand for the past year to categorizing that cd collection you never even listen to anymore. However, if you are searching for a fun and relaxing way to fill your time I recommend starting a journal. You can draw, cut and paste photos, even sew. The possibilities are endless really. This is a piece I started yesterday afternoon and finished up this morning. Just a few things in our yard that I randomly sketched in pencil then inked and added watercolor. Shown here is the original along with a pic showing what it might look like if framed which I did in photoshop. Thanks again for checking in and please share. Have a great day and be safe.

Day 5 I guess it's almost impossible to ignore the impact of the Coronavirus completely these past few days unless you literally live under a rock. This piece was done largely from memory. Although, I did have to Google a pic of a Radio Flyer so I wouldn't screw it up. This piece is titled " Water". Yes, once again I have amazed myself with the imaginative title I have created! I guess I could have named it "Water Hoarder" but that seems a bit harsh. I mean, this guy could live on a side of a mountain for all we know! If you would like to commission a sketch please send me an email at mark@weberillustration.com The original art will be snail mailed and I will email you a high res file of the final art. Thanks and be safe out there.

Day 4 I think one needs to embrace the little things in and around your home during these times. This is the entrance to my home studio. This multi-media paper is ok but not the best. I have used other papers that can take the same amount of water without warping but then again this was not taped down and I did not use a hair dryer to quicken the drying time which helps to alleviate any warping. This was done fairly quickly, first sketched out lightly in pencil then inked using a micron #2 pen and finally painted in watercolors. I prefer Schmincke watercolors. If you haven't tried them and are looking for a good pan type watercolor I highly recommend them. I am open for commissions and can work from photos provided by email. Social distancing if you know what I mean. Please email me at mark@weberillustration.com Thanks for visiting. Please click on the image to enlarge and please don't forget to share. Have a great day and take care. MW

Day 3 Quite a rushed day as I am in the middle of getting my receipts together etc., for tax time. I always have a scrap sheet off to the side of me when I am working in ink or watercolor. I decided to just take a scrap sheet and to a little pencil sketch on it. This measures around 5x11 inches. It’s a bit messy but it was fun just to play. Please click on the image to enlarge.

It's a beautiful day out today in Wilmington, North Carolina so I decided to do a little outdoor sketch. This piece was first sketched out with a 3b pencil then inked with a micron #2 pen and finally painted in watercolor. It depicts a part of our backyard, a true work in progress as there was absolutely nothing back there when we moved in three years ago. Please click on the image to enlarge. Hope you enjoy it! Btw, if you would like to see more of my work please go to www.weberillustration.com Mark

Hello!  I will be posting drawings and watercolors during this time of self exile. The subject matter will be random despite the title of the blog.  I don't want to give the impression that this will be some political based or daily op-ed sketchbook depicting scenes of doom and gloom. This will be an escape.  This first piece was done in pencil, ink and watercolor on 90 lb. multi-media paper and is titled 'Man Selling Fish' . Yes, I am known for my imaginative titles. Sorry, is what it is. Most of the work I will be posting is for sale. If interested in purchasing please email me at mark@weberillustration.com  and write Blog Art in the subject line. Thanks for visiting and please share. Mark Weber 3/17/20