Before I get to today's blog post, thanks for all your good advice on my stamp block. I'm taking a few days to think about what I want to do about that flaw and I'll be sure to let you know!
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I'm teaching a class all about mark making at The Ink Pad in NYC on June 22.
So, what is mark making? I'm so glad that you asked!
Mark making is one of those art skill basics that we often skip over to get to the "more fun" making the picture part of the process. However, if you become a comfortable mark maker, finished art is easier to achieve. It's like knowing the color wheel or feeling comfortable with design principles. These are some of the building block art skills that every artist should be well versed in. In fact, I purposely placed the mark making class on Saturday so that students could go into Sunday's class armed with their new arsenal of art skills.
At the most basic level, mark making is about how you hold the brush (or pen or pencil or other art tool). Each of us is magnificently unique. You may not believe it, but it's true. The marks you make are your "art handwriting." In class, we'll be examining what you do naturally and exploring the ways in which those habits and impulses can be developed and nurtured and pushed further!
This is an example of a super basic mark making worksheet:
In class we'll be using these ideas to articulate each student's artistic voice. Part of having a clear artistic voice is having a distinctive library of personal images. “Personal images” sounds rather fancy, but all it really connotes is a collection of images or shapes or marks that one enjoys using over and over.
Whether you take my class on mark making or not, I hope you will take the time to learn a bit about how it can help your art along. This article on mark making is food for thought.
Once I started paying attention to mark making I noticed a big leap forward in my stamp carving designs and the depth and richness of my paintings.
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie, this is the best definition of mark making I have ever read. Thanks so much for sharing. I live in Henderson, NV and I have been thinking for some time about discovering my personal marks language. This gives me more encouragement.
Julie, this is the best definition of mark making I have ever read. Thanks so much for sharing. I live in Henderson, NV and I have been thinking for some time about discovering my personal marks language. This gives me more encouragement.
Julie, this is the best definition of mark making I have ever read. Thanks so much for sharing. I live in Henderson, NV and I have been thinking for some time about discovering my personal marks language. This gives me more encouragement.
Julie, this is the best definition of mark making I have ever read. Thanks so much for sharing. I live in Henderson, NV and I have been thinking for some time about discovering my personal marks language. This gives me more encouragement.
Julie, this is the best definition of mark making I have ever read. Thanks so much for sharing. I live in Henderson, NV and I have been thinking for some time about discovering my personal marks language. This gives me more encouragement.
Julie, this is the best definition of mark making I have ever read. Thanks so much for sharing. I live in Henderson, NV and I have been thinking for some time about discovering my personal marks language. This gives me more encouragement.
Julie, this is the best definition of mark making I have ever read. Thanks so much for sharing. I live in Henderson, NV and I have been thinking for some time about discovering my personal marks language. This gives me more encouragement.
Julie, I have a question, can flowers be considered an artistic mark? I tend to gravitate towards flowers. Thanks if you have the time to answer.
Julie, I have a question, can flowers be considered an artistic mark? I tend to gravitate towards flowers. Thanks if you have the time to answer.
Julie, I have a question, can flowers be considered an artistic mark? I tend to gravitate towards flowers. Thanks if you have the time to answer.
Julie, I have a question, can flowers be considered an artistic mark? I tend to gravitate towards flowers. Thanks if you have the time to answer.
Julie, I have a question, can flowers be considered an artistic mark? I tend to gravitate towards flowers. Thanks if you have the time to answer.
Julie, I have a question, can flowers be considered an artistic mark? I tend to gravitate towards flowers. Thanks if you have the time to answer.
Julie, I have a question, can flowers be considered an artistic mark? I tend to gravitate towards flowers. Thanks if you have the time to answer.