A New Tool For Teaching …
One of the challenges when teaching a workshop is demonstrating the kind of contour drawing I do with my fountain pen in a sketchbook. It’s difficult for more than four or five students to have a good view of my sketchbook as I draw. The iPad combined with a mini projector makes it possible for at least a dozen students to watch the drawing develop while sitting comfortably drinking coffee or wine.
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The image on the far left was drawn first in ink with a fountain pen, followed by watercolor applied with a round brush. The middle image was drawn on the iPad using a “JOT script” stylus in the SKETCHES app. I drew the contour drawing in one layer and added the greens in a second layer. The image on the right shows the third layer I added on the iPad, a watercolor wash of blue.
Rosemary – Ink and Watercolor
Rosemary – iPad Sketch
Rosemary – iPad Layered Sketch
Though I prefer working with pen and brush in a sketchpad, I am beginning to learn how to manipulate the stylus within various apps to illustrate my method of working. The results are different, but the contour drawing part of the sketch is similar enough to make this a useful tool. In addition to using the iPad and mini projector in workshops, it’s portable enough to use during blues jams to project the quick sketches of musicians on the wall.
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Applying the color to this detailed drawing of a rosemary plant was terribly tedious and took three times longer that it takes me to apply watercolor with a brush to an ink sketch of the same size and detail. I’m not finding the pressure sensitive styluses to be helpful when it comes to paint application. I’m sure, with practice, I will find a way to be more expressive.