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Jonesing for a 000

January 3, 2004

 

mumsbirthday.jpg

My mum's house sits nestled in the middle of several acres of wild forest and is full of stuff to draw, including her cat, Fred, and the family collection of stone Buddhas, many of which my grandfather acquired in Pakistan years ago. As we all sat around and she unwrapped a basketful of birthday gifts, I drew anything within eyeball reach with an old/new pen.
Old, because I used to love its fine, sharp line and hard-as-a-hypodermic nib until I decided it was bad for me and gave it up years ago. New, because I was craving it again and bought a fresh one last week (Grumbacher "Artists Pen" — very hard to come by).
Why 'bad' for me?
Well, the pen is so fine and hard it makes me draw in a very particular way that appeals to the most anal retentive part of me and I make these would-be photorealistic drawings that are so tight and rigid and tiny and, while that's all well and fine in small doses, I ended up tossing the pen when I started wanting to do teeny tiny postage stamp drawings full of stippling and cross-hatching and little else.
But it was my mum's birthday, so I gave myself a break.
Am I nuts?
P.S. I do quite like this page. Is it too small to read?

Comments

For me it's a little bit too small to read. I enjoy your weblog and drawings very much!

Posted by: Marloes | January 4, 2004 12:15 AM

I have a screen resolution of 1024 X 760 so it's small to read. I enjoy your drawing and writing very much, too. I'm very glad that you opened this weblog. Thanks!

Posted by: JR | January 4, 2004 05:54 AM

i draw with little pens too and i frequently get tired of my mostly realistic and tight style of drawing and want to draw big pages full of messy colors. But I love your cross-hatchy cat drawing, it has lots of personality. cat-ality. whatever.

I ordered your new book and I can't WAIT!

Posted by: soren | January 4, 2004 02:44 PM

I remember that the overall feeling is key for me...the writing is slightly small but it fits with the overall tone of the treasures you've drawn from "pipsi's world".

Your flavor is always a surprise, thanks for being there!

Posted by: Patti Gregory | January 4, 2004 06:21 PM

I love that pen too! Mine came in a smart pressed aluminum box. When I use it it feels precious, more of an event. Now I love putting my pens in a special box for traveling! I pull the box out of my bag like I'm a scientist doing important research.

Loving your blog!
k.

Posted by: keri | January 6, 2004 09:03 AM