Drawing in Art Nouveau Style
If I had a time machine, I would have no doubt where to go first. I would press the buttons and whoosh … enter the beginning of 19th century. First I would want to meet one of my favorite authors, Virginia Woolf, then have an evening with Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret. Maybe another brilliant architect Frank Lloyd Wright could join us. Then I would spend a whole day with Alphonse Mucha, another with William Morris … There are so many to talk to and so many places to go. I would need weeks for my visit!
From Arts and Crafts movement to Art Nouveau and Art Deco – my love for art and design is mostly originated in those historical periods. I often try to hide it and be open to new ideas and various styles. But if I just need to draw something quickly or if I can choose freely, I am all for Art Nouveau.
Art Nouveau Drawing – Watch the video!
I am passionate about drawing and styles. I believe that finding your own style, increases the joy of creating. Last week I wrote that down and then began to ponder: could I share more Art Nouveau in this blog? So, here you are, in the middle of Art Nouveau themed post and at the beginning of the video blog post where I will show you how I draw in Art Nouveau style. But more than about Art Nouveau, this video is about the importance of doodling and sketching. Promise me, never stop doodling!
Did you notice my William Morris curtains at the beginning of the video? Tell me, what are the styles and artists from the past, that you admire?
Doodle with Art Nouveau in mind: Buy Doodled Luxury!
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Can You Draw?
All my life I have wanted to learn how to draw. Whatever skills I have learned over the years, there has always been this one yearn: to know how to draw. Sometimes I have thought that I finally master the skill, only to realize it again: No, not yet.
But now, when most of this agony is over, I want to share my story and ask you: what does it mean when you say you can or can’t draw? People often say: “I can’t even draw a stick figure!” That probably means that they refuse even to try.
Drawing Stick Figures
My most humiliating moment connected to drawing was when I was about 8 years old, and we had to draw trees at school. “Do not make a mess,” the teacher said. But oh no, I did make a mess, and I had to watch my teacher show me how to draw a tree. The tree that she drew looked nothing like one. It was barely a branch, almost just a stick. At least it was not a living tree. I heard her sighing and saying that she could not draw either!
Drawing Realistic Images
I continued practicing. As a result, I realized that those who drew stick figures did not actually look at the object. When they were given the three leaves, they drew three symbols of leaves. So I thought that if I examined the objects like they were not leaves at all, I could draw them more realistically.
But the three leaves, which I brought home in a pocket, are beautiful, natural, living things. When I look at them I feel their presence and they evoke thoughts. They are not just flat objects either. If I drew how my eyes trace the leaves, how would that look like?
This is what I learned in my teenage years: I could use several lines for drawing, starting with thin and light lines and ending with strong dark lines. The result would not be bad at all, even if I made mistakes in the beginning. This was when I first assumed that I could draw. At least I was able to produce realistic looking pictures.
Drawing without Models
But soon, I got doubts. Browsing art books every week at the local library of the small hometown, I saw many outstanding masterpieces. The deeper I dived into the art history, the more I thought about the difference between copying and drawing from the memory. I assumed that most of the great artists had the ability to understand proportions and structures so that they could draw anything, without having a model or a photograph.
So I abandoned the models, mirrors, and other images. My goal was to draw whatever popped up into my mind. The amount of drawing that I had done had left marks in my memory. With some practice, I was able to draw ordinary objects, like leaves. But again, it did not satisfy me. I had discovered a new factor: a line. A line is not just a line. It is a kind of signature. It can be fast and effortless or slow and dull. And mine was more the latter.
I discovered artists who really can draw. Like Finnish female artist Miina Äkkijyrkkä. I envied those flowing lines. Meanwhile, I had graduated as an industrial designer. Should I get back to school again? And if so, where? I decided to learn by myself.
At this point, I have to tell you that I have learned many crafts by myself, and it has not always been very efficient. When I learned quilting, I refused to iron even if every quilting book said so. It took me ten years to master that skill, meaning: use that iron and acknowledge that it does make the difference. When I decided to learn drawing, I was afraid that I would omit something important again while rushing towards the goal. So I took a very slow approach. I figured out that if I start with a basic shape and make enough repeats, I will learn to draw. So I picked my favorite shape, a circle, and began doodling.
Drawing Styles
While learning to draw a circle with an expressive line, I realized that I could pick out my circles from those made by others. So I added a new factor to the definition of drawing: a style. I wanted to have my own style, my own line. Most evenings, after the day job, I drew circles examining my thoughts and the way of looking at the world. I learned that a simple circle could be a very complicated shape. And even more: when combined with other circles, it’s almost too complicated. You can draw small circles, big circles, closed circles, open circles, ovals … add circles inside another circle, build a tower with circles … I became fascinated by the circles. It felt like knitting: a small movement after another, and within few weeks, you will have something grand to look at!
As months and months went by, I had a growing hunch that I had found my style. I became convinced that if I am brave enough to let that circle alter its shape, I can draw with my own voice. Once I jumped into that, I felt tremendous joy. Looking at the shapes flowing out of my pen was amazing. Could I finally call that drawing?
Then I remembered something that I had always loved: imitation. The joy of finding my own style changed to the urge to learn to imitate different styles. It would be so great to draw like many masters that I had admired since browsing the art books at the public library!
I wanted not only to draw like romantic, but I also wanted to draw in an edgy and masculine way.
I wanted to simplify without taking the life out of the drawing.
I wanted to learn various historical styles, like art nouveau.
Drawing from Imagination
And I also wanted to learn to use the imagination and play with the theme. Wouldn’t it be cute if ants could use the falling leaves as airplanes? Then they would certainly have their own landing strip and air traffic control!
The Definition of Drawing
Then one day I realized that, for me, learning how to draw is not about me drawing. It is more about making you draw. I think that teaching drawing is my final definition about the ability to draw. That’s why I am currently creating a book about how to learn drawing in a way that is enjoyable and something very different from the tutorials you have seen around the internet and book stores.
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How and Why I Create Art?
I was challenged by Anu-Riikka for the blogging challenge “A Blog hop with a difference”. There are six questions to be answered so let’s begin!
1. What am I working on right now?
More than a single project I’d like to think about what’s new in my process. I always try to learn new things and expand my skills to keep creating interesting and exciting. At the moment I practice writing poems in English! I want to improve journaling in my art journal pages and use writing to enforce imagination. I used to write poems until young adulthood and have always loved literature. Writing in English provides an additional challenge because my mother tongue is Finnish. The world is so much bigger and better if you are not limited to the language. I can also write in Swedish, and I used to study German at school, but Spanish or Portugal would be great to master too!
2. How long does it take to create a project?
A small art project for the blog usually takes at least two days to create. I do not like to finish anything at one go because the quality gets better if I have time to ponder. I often work with projects in phases so that decorated papers or sketches are created a long time before I execute the final project. I also use a lot of time to think about techniques and ideas before I start. Sometimes when I start creating, I realize that my thoughts have gone wrong. Luckily it is easy to turn a new page from my art journal and start it over!
3. What are my fave things I love to create with at the moment?
I have tried a wide variety of art and craft supplies but enjoy basic supplies the most. You do not need much to start creating. My favorite supplies are colored pencils, markers, watercolors, acrylic paints, blank paper, and scissors. It has become more and more difficult to enjoy creating projects that use ready-made products. I get a lot of satisfaction of not buying and creating things myself. Even if I enjoy seeing art in general, I do not get much out of following projects that use heavily ready-made products like paper flowers or stickers. I wish more and more people could give a chance for their imagination and experience how satisfying it is to create something from start to finish.
4. How does my writing/creating process work?
I believe that we should act creatively but ensure that it’s made thoughtfully. That’s why it is good for anybody to clarify the reasons why they create. I make art for two main reasons: 1) to be able to communicate with other people 2) to show my admiration for the great masters of art and design.
My creative process is very formal because I love organization. During my designer studies, I learned the basics of the design process. It includes background study, collecting, combining and testing ideas, executing in phases and getting feedback in appropriate stages. Even if it sounds controlled and complicated, it doesn’t feel like that. Each phase is adjustable: it can take very short or long time, and it can be repeated when needed. Working systematically gives full power to my creativity. I also like to work towards a pre-planned schedule. When I have set a limited time for creating I feel freer than constantly questioning whether the process has taken too much time or not.
5. How do I become inspired and stay inspired?
I love art, design, and architecture. Show me any picture of the history of art and design, and I get inspired! I become very easily inspired, and that can sometimes be distracting. On the other hand, I think that inspiration is overrated and regularity in creating underrated. I hope that I can help people create more regularly so that they get to know themselves and love their own work. I also hope that my regular practice will improve my skills to communicate visually and verbally.
6. What is my signature style?
My work has a lot to do with colors. I think that colors can communicate feelings most effectively. In composition, I often aim for dynamicity. I also try to achieve the balance between relaxed and free-flowing line and accuracy, almost engineer-like look. My style is some mixture of folk style and art nouveau with a twist of the 1970s. However, I have begun to hope that I would have no signature style at all! The more I create, the more I have become to value diversity. I want to learn to understand as many styles and artists as possible and help others find them too.
How would you answer these questions? Share it by commenting this post or if you have a blog, linking a post to the comment!
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Stretch Your Artistic Style
In art, I am fond of thin strokes and decorative details. I have often thought that blurry painting is like a bad photo – in need of sharpening. But slowly I have begun to get interested in blurry paintings. Those wide strokes have begun to feel tempting. The concept, where colors can take the leading role, has been sneaking into my thoughts. So, when I wanted to express something very familiar to my home country, I thought that the impressionistic style would go well with the theme.
The theme was melancholy and for me, it’s all about white flowers. In general I do understand the beauty of white, but personally, I see it as a symbol of loss and emptiness. The painting called “Condolences”. I wanted to give both white and black the position where they can be heart-breakingly beautiful. I wanted to treat them as real colors, not only as the elements to create contrast or compositional space.
Taking a New Route in Painting
Before I began to paint, I spent weeks of pondering the idea in my mind. After I had got hold of the feeling I wanted to express, I felt unsure of how to master the technique. Then I realized: if you want to stretch your style, you need to take a new route at some point in the creative process.
My new thing would be the way I used the acrylic paints. But I could start with familiar things: watercolor the background and set the basic color scene.
After creating this background, I felt comfortable: same old, same old! Then, with the help of Coldplay’s best hits, I got into the mood where I felt no uncertainty. When I have a clear theme in mind, I prefer to listen to the music that is pompous and not too deep. Then the music helps to improve my self-esteem without taking the focus away from the theme.
After few moments of walking around the room – that is a great way to boost your creativity too – I took the step. I mixed the paint, picked the broadest brush and dipped it into the paint. Then I began to brush boldly and very fast.
If you want to accomplish something new: think before you do it, not while you do it. Let your reason go through what you should create. But while you are creating, work very fast so that you reach the pace of your creativity. If you have some kind of image in your mind about the end result, it is important to focus on the feeling you want to express. The feeling should overcome the image while you are working.
Finishing Touches with Colored Pencils
There is something quiet and covered in the way the people grief, so I added a lot of blacks and other dark tones. After passing the most exciting phase, I became worried about the lack of depth in dark areas. After working with acrylics, I added details with colored pencils. The white lines were made with a white gel pen.
I made the final touches with colored pencils by picking complimentary colors or colors very near their complementary.
It felt somehow controversial to create this melancholic piece when the Finnish summer is at its best. But this was a good experiment. It raised an important question: Have I limited myself too much? Without too much questioning, could I try to create whatever comes to my mind?
Stretch Your Artistic Style!
Give yourself permission to experiment! Here are my tips:
1) Pick the direction to go! When stretching your style, remember to pick something you kind of like, but still have reservations about it.
2) What are the factors the new style has? Using a dry brush and only a few strokes were essential for my experiment. Think about techniques, colors, composition and pick the things that are essentially different than your ordinary methods.
3) Which the step in your process is the one where you take the new route? When will you start incorporating those new things? In my process, it was after making the background. Preferably start with the familiar way to get into the flow of creating.
4) Get emotional so that your emotion leads the way while creating. Think about the stories behind the emotion. Get into the state where expressing the emotion is more important than mastering the new method. Turn the music on if you need some courage to express your emotion.
5) Work fast without too much thinking. If you need to think, interrupt your work. Stand up and move around. Never forget the feeling you want to express.
6) Sleep overnight and finish your work on the next day. Embrace the good and fix the bad. Do not make major changes anymore as there will be a new day, a new blank paper, a new play, a new chance!
Stretch your artistic style
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