The workshop is on a temporary hiatus due to problems with the venue. We will be back very soon- check the life drawing page or join our mailing list below to receive updates.

 
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Much has been made of the artist’s “process,” the method for generating and producing creative thoughts and works. Every artist has one but no two are exactly the same, and what works brilliantly for one person may be utterly useless, if not downright negative, for another. Joe Infurnari explores his own creative path in his webcomic, “The Process” with beautiful and surprisingly coherent results. Everything in the world of “The Process” is in a constant state of flux and evolution as Infurnari uses the comic as a means of experimentation and personal artistic development. To see someone else’s creative sparkle laid out narratively on the page is quite something! Reading “The Process” is like eavesdropping on someone else’s dream and appreciating their aesthetic sense over their common sense.

http://theprocesscomic.com/

Skeyelab has converted the 1959 Del Close and John Brent album “How to Speak Hip” to digital. It’s the perfect thing to listen to while working in an overly well-lit office on a hazy Friday in 2008.

Listen here.

Happy Friday!

I struggled for weeks trying to find just the right font for the Moral Punch logo. It had to be something vintage and refined, yet dirty. Then one fine day I stumbled on Bleeding Cowboys by Gyom Séguin, a.k.a Last Soundtrack, and struck gold! This font is all those things with a bit of sassy whiplash. Unfortunately, it’s also an emerging trend font that I now see everywhere I turn. I guess it was only a matter of time.

Gyom has also produced several other brilliant fonts, all in a signature scratchy style. My other picks include “Sidewalk” and “Trashed.” Check them all out on dafont.com.

Mariko and Jillian Tamaki’s new graphic novel, Skim launches today and I’m waiting on my copy from Amazon. It looks amazing. I’m fascinated by the Ukiyo-e style character designs set in contemporary America. There’s something both disturbing and appealing about that juxtaposition.

Drawn! recently posted an interesting interview with Jillian in which she discusses Jillian’s comic-making soundtrack. If you live in Toronto, she will be talking about Skim at Ontario College of Art & Design on Friday.

More on Jillian’s blog.

Recently I started using ink and watercolor at life drawing and have discovered the amazing benefits of water brush pens. They were invented in Japan as a means for making watercolor sketching more portable. The refillable translucent plastic barrel holds a couple ounces of water, and when you squeeze it, water flows through the brush tip. This eliminates the need for (potentially very messy) open cups of water. The traveling watercolorist can simply pack a sketchbook, a water brush, a set of pan colors and a rag. I take this pen with me nearly everywhere! Not only does it make watercolor sketching quick and simple anywhere, anytime, but it also somehow makes the medium more friendly. The flow is easy to control and I can mix colors with the brush right in the pan. I would highly recommend water brush pens to any artists who has always wanted to try watercolor but felt a bit insecure.

Water brush pens (”mizu fude” in Japanese) are primarily made in Japan, but are increasingly popular and widely available all over the world. Dick Blick carries a selection of Niji waterbrushes (pictured above) and MisterArt.com has Yasutomo brushes. Locally, Pearl Paint on La Cienega stocks three sizes of the Kuretake brand. I have a Kuretake medium, but I’m sure the other brands are equally outstanding. Look for packages with lots of Japanese writing!

Those interested in seeing developmental work by Moral Punch artists should definitely check out their personal blogs, linked below. The above image is from Tim Beard’s moleskin sketchbook.

Tim Beard
Eliza Frye
Leo Matsuda
Christian Robinson
Nic Sweet

February 26, 2008
STUDYING CHARACTER: SEEING EVERYONE WE KNOW
Extraordinary Art Show From Moral Punch On Saturday March 15, 2008
Moral Punch Art Gallery
7600 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA, 90046
Saturday March 15, 2008 7pm – 10pm
(One night only)

HOLLYWOOD, CA — On Saturday March 15, 2008 Moral Punch Art Gallery will host five of LA’s rising stars: fine artists in an exclusive show exploring the key aspect that drives great art: the character. They populate our stories, develop into our legends and reflect the innate truth that lies deep within our souls. Offered are fine works of art, character driven, telling stories that depict the fabric of everyday life. Come mingle with us, and share the richness of true art as told by characters at once memorable and always enduring.

Featured Artists:

Tim Beard
Eliza Frye
Leo Matsuda
Christian Robinson
Nic Sweet

The art show has no admission fee and will feature live performance art and deviously delicious refreshments.

Announcing the start of the funkiest new art event in Los Angeles: Moral Punch Life Drawing! Beginning March 2 2008, Moral Punch will be hosting 100 artists drawing 2 costumed models amid video projections, hip music, fine refreshments and a fantastic art show. If you like to draw, your Sundays are now booked!

For more information, click here!  See you soon…