Normally I hit the drawing board when doing an illustration, using paper, whatever weight or type that suits what I’m using to make a mark on it.
Drawing on a window is a little bit more tricky and to get it right I plan out first what I’m going to draw on it. Starting like I would in any commission I sketch my ideas down and create a layout on paper so I’ve got a good guide before I illustrate on the window.
Getting started on Café Calluna’s windows for The Enchanted Forest.
Normally when you stare down a page to begin an artwork all you get is that big white surface filling your view and challenging you to make your first mark. With a window you struggle with the view ahead, people passing, reluctantly featuring in someone’s selfie with you drawing in it, incidents of road rage and an endless procession of delivery vans. Life passes by and occasionally interacts if you stir a person’s curiosity. My work for me is normally in a comfort zone and a place where you don’t get that kind of distraction but its so much fun to get out there. That’s why opportunities to draw in public with window illustrations or chalk art and even live drawing are so great to do. A chance for real time feedback, sharing my skills and observations.
Give me some chalk pens and a window to draw on.
Any live drawing event whether it’s in a meeting room fleshing out an idea on paper with a client or in a conference hall recording an event with illustration is a great opportunity for an artist to stimulate and push their skills and share with others. Making creativity a shared and more interactive experience is a wonderful thing to be part of.
WIndow at night.