Dovidenia, for now.

These are the last of the digital drawings created during my stay in Europe.  I consider all the digital drawings as half finished. They are a starting point towards a finished piece that combines digital and traditional  elements. The groups of drawing begin in Europe, and will be completed here, in the states. 

One of the major advantages to working digitally, is that I am able to apply for shows worldwide. While in Slovakia, I was able to enter my drawings into exhibitions here in the US, one of which is opening this Friday, at UNM.   

Another advantage, one that I have mentioned before came to mind later. While in Europe, the need to produce digital works increased. I did not have to scan them. Drawing on the iPad minimized the tools I carried with me. Yet i was completely seduced into buying German inks, paper, and all sorts of tangible materials. I didn't realize until after my hasty exit from Bratislava ( my legal status came to an abrupt end), how much easier it is on the drawer to work and move digitally. As I crammed my inks, brushes, pens, drawings, and paper into my REI Travel pack, I didn't once think to pack my digital works, which were of course, already safe in the "iCloud". Hmm. 

A group of images from the weekend.

In between the participation of Slovak Easter traditions, I was able to get a few drawings done. The first two drawings, "Sweet & Coffee" and "Arcadia", were drawn in cafes located in the town of Nové Mesto nad Váhom, north of Bratislava. The city center of Nové Mesto nad Váhom, had some great spots to offer coffee and beer. Sweet & Coffee is located in one of  n. Váhom's parks, and has beautiful contemporary glass / wood architectural design. Arcadia is a place I found, while walking down one of the centre's alleys. 

The drawings are becoming more like completed works, here. After a small line sketch, I am laying down cool values on a separate layers, then the warm values. After that, local colors ( the color of skin, shirt, etc... ) are added.  After that a third or fourth layer is added to add darks and lights in certain spots, to direct the eye to certain spots of the composition. 

The last drawing was done a week ago, today, at KC Dunaj, one of my favorite spots here in Bratislava for a drink. I haven't posted it yet, so now seemed like  good time to include it. Enjoy! 

Prašná Bašta

Bratislava is relatively quiet, tonight. Many people have left to return to their hometowns around the rest of Slovakia. In Prašná Bašta, I saw this man sitting in one of the corners, and thought it would make a good composition for an addition to my public spaces / private conversation series. Nothing techy to report, so please, enjoy the drawing. 

Drawings from Last Week.

A few drawings on my iPad before the weekend in Budapest. It is an adventure, drawing out in public spaces. Each drawing is a mini adventure within that adventure. You never know where the drawing is going to go, or how it is going to end up. With the iPad you can save states of progress of a sketch.. kind of like printing a progression of states in an etching.

 I have begun doing daily drawings in my sketchbook with the crow quill pen, as well, and shall post those, shortly. The gallery opening was a huge success, and there will be photos of that soon as well.  

More Prašna Bašta.

This one is a tad old, but I'm just now getting around to posting it . Plus, I thought this one was mediocre. The colors are a little dull, I feel, and kind of turned me off at the time. 

There's a World going on, Underground!

Bratislava's Old Town soil is filled up with basement pubs. I hear it is because the basements have a consistent temperature. Makes sense. It also makes for wonderful medieval , cavernous like atmospheres. Many of the best restaurants and drinking spots are arched corridors, longer than they are wider. So as a result there are long tables for community dining. These places get packed, so more often than not, you will be sitting with strangers ( at first) while you dine. 

Here is a really quick sketch I did on the iPad while waiting for my dinner.