Quiet – a work in progress

Quiet – a work in progress

If you are following my blog you may be noticing that I don’t write many posts.  This is an indication that coloured pencil work is very SLOW work.  Plus I don’t have new ideas to bombard you with every day!

What are The Talking Heads’ lines?

“When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.  Say something once, why say it again?”  (David Byrne)

However I WOULD like to say that you are reading my articles and I’m extremely grateful!  I can click on a button in my stats to see where in the world you are looking from.  Some of the more far flung countries are Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Japan, Canada and Guatemala.  There have also been many views from United States and perhaps not so strange, Australia and New Zealand.  THANK YOU THANK YOU.

I am currently working on a large drawing (425 x 425mm) of a Paris streetscape in Saint Germain des Prés.  A wedge-shaped building divides rue de Seine and rue de l’Echaudé.  I have done several drawings of this area already.  (They have sold which gives me permission to draw it again.)  However that has nothing to do with it (well, not much anyway).  This area is simply magic to me.  During the day it is full of people but early in the morning there is a special and spiritual atmosphere.

I intend to call this drawing “Quiet” – a homage to Susan Cain’s book of the same name (about being an introvert in a world that can’t stop talking).  Being an introvert myself, I love quiet therefore my favourite time of day to explore Paris for inspiration is before dawn.  Such as this.

I am a week into the drawing.  Because it is a large piece, I estimate I have another two weeks to go with it.  I am photographing its progression at regular intervals so it will be my next work-in-progress page.  I will send out a post when it is complete.

When I am working on it, I am taking myself back there, soaking in the atmosphere.  It is my portal back to Paris on a cold October morning in 2012, just me and the street.

What is special about this streetscape is the amazing reflection in the big window of the closest building.  You can’t see it yet but you will.  I’m saving the reflection until last as that is the bit of the drawing I am MOST cherishing.  It’s going to POP (if I get it right).

So…back to work…and thank you again, dear Reader!

And remember that there may not be many posts, but there are permanent pages with regular new comments, questions and discussion (especially the ‘questions, feedback and comments’ page) so keep looking.  I’m counting on you.

 

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Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.  I thought this would be a good place to share my art ideas and techniques plus answer your questions in an informal setting.  I get emails from time to time which contain similar questions; what materials do I use, which pencils and pastels, which papers?  This will be a place to answer such questions.

“Candid” colour pencil drawing, 2006.

My blog is in the form of short illustrated essays which I will add to from time to time.   Whether you choose to comment or not, I hope that you may find the blog helpful and perhaps even thought-provoking.

I also have a comprehensive website with a collection of over 40 years of paintings and drawings.  It is a treasure trove encompassing many subjects.  Please click HERE to visit.

“Blue City” (Osaka) coloured pencil drawing, 2006.

Usually my posts are about drawings but sometimes they are photographic essays.  Photography is the first step towards drawing (in my case).  However so few of my many photographs end up as source material for drawings.  Now that I have a blog, I can share the photos themselves while telling the story, in words, to accompany them.

Oh – by the way – I have an art page on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/JuliePodstolski

“Just a Moment”
January 2017

I call my style abstract realism as many of my drawings are as abstract as they are realistic.  I use mixed media (coloured pencils with oil pastels).  If you would like information about the materials I use, please click on the Art Materials page.

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