Monday, March 16, 2009

Knobs n Knockers



Went to the print museum in Dublin with the dublin sketchers on sunday and it was a great experience. Having worked as a graphic designer before, and still doing the odd design nixer, I got a real buzz as I walked in the door and seen all the old wooden font blocks and printing machines that they had there. I would highly recommend it as a place to visit for an inspirational and informative trip. A big thanks to the staff too who were extremely nice and helpful and had no problem in giving the more inquisitive of us answers about all the machinery and old printing methods.
As for the drawings I think a lot of us got caught up in the detail and it was no wonder as all the machines were so complicated looking. The first one I did was with a brown watercolour pencil which I wish I had have had more time on. Didn't add water to it though as I was afraid I'd wreck it but as I've scanned it now I'll add the water and post the results if they're not catastrophic. Second picture I did was just a quick pen and colour pencil pic I did at the end and I'm actually happier with that one than the one I spent more time on! Always the happens. was a great day out anyway and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Before I joined the sketchers I was pretty early so I did a few sketches on the canal. One of a man feeding the swans, who was flattered I was drawing him, and an attempt at Patrick Kavanagh's statue that went a bit pair shaped. Spent to long on it I think but did get to realize what a nice statue it is!

5 comments:

Scribbler said...

nice work man fair play. gotta have a wander there myself, might go nest week after i finish this board.

Stephen Thompson said...

Nice to see you doing some observational stuff Fran, alongside your more stylised work. The drawings by the canal are class.

Sarah Bowie said...

great stuff - real contrast in styles between the detailed,machine drawings and the really loose canal view - sounds like a good day was had by all. i did a workshop there before, really enjoyed it, great spot, pity more people don't know it's there.

Fran Johnston said...

thanks Sarah. the canal drawings were nearly like blind drawings.really enjoyed doing them. the swan just kept going around in circles though. wouldn't stay still for me.it was funny actually.yeah I'm thinking of doing a japanese wood block course there.could be interesting.

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