JustSketchin
See my latest work below in my Gallery...
J.C. Romig
JustSketchin
See my latest work below in my Gallery...
J.C. Romig
About Me
My Background
My Inspiration
My Background
In the early ‘80s I started to dabble with cartooning; mostly just studies from art books. A year or so ago I noticed there were a few portraits mixed in but with no understanding of the role “value” played in good artwork.
No, it is not a money thing. Rather, it is how we see and understand objects because of how dark or light they are. With no light/dark value variation sketches are flat and boring. Then there was Steve...
My Medium
My Inspiration
My Background
Steve, an instructor at our YMCA Senior Center is a real pro. He picked up a watercolor I'd done of my daughter and asked, “Do you mind?” I shrugged okay then caught my breath as he slopped a big gob of dark blue above my sketch and changed the color of the hat she was wearing. Rats! He could tell I was shocked but I bit my tongue as he then asked the class what we thought. The consensus opinion, as well as my own, was that the portrait had come to life. He further explained that Value -- light and dark – not colors made the difference. That was my value lesson. The next lesson was from an on-line art tutorial.
My Inspiration
My Inspiration
My Inspiration
MY INSPIRATION
There are a couple of contributing motivators for me in selecting a person to draw. Number one, of course, is my own personal feelings -- admiration, love, friendship, or respect. Another factor is the “look” (no better word for it) – something distinctive that moves me to say, “Oh, yes, have to do this one!”– delicate, feminine, beautiful, gnarly, chiseled, emotional, etc. Overall, I want the sketch to be more than a driver’s license ID.:) Understandably, I get some back and forth when clients make requests.
“What keeps you going?” is another part of the inspiration puzzle. For me personally it is basic discipline --- do not quit! A very helpful online tutorial stated the concept in a somewhat roundabout generalization -- “The problem most artists have is they tend to quit too soon!” How true! Almost without exception on each project I have taken on there came a point when I was ready to throw in the towel, so to speak – abandon it all together or start over.
Last, but not the least is the inspiration that comes from your expressions of appreciation -- and honest feedback.