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Monday, January 24, 2011

Seek New Approaches in Old Masters, Plus Cartoon

Friends, I'm now playing around wash and colors in background for portraits. I'm thrilled with it.
Big brush strokes make a drama (*good paper is essential!).
Another experiment is a "limited pallet."

In order to seek new approaches, I look up great masters. Copying brings new ideas. This "private tutoring by great masters" is freebie! Friends, what a luxury tut! Sure, sketching excites you.

Here, my copies of French masters' drawings from the exhibition, "David to Cezanne" at NSW Art Gallery.

Above, Jean-Baptise Carpeaux, "Ugolino" 1860. (* "Sculptor" and painter) How impressive the model's sharp eyes and strong body language!! And simple expression. Carpeaux never wastes any line. The copying excited me so much. I should use a pen more often.

Below. Francois Marius Granet study of the death of Poussin 1842 ( for a bigger work ). How "simple," again, and a very well-organized composition in a single color! The sketch taught me the importance of a "thumbnail" and monochrome for value study.

My monochrome color work was "Young Boy" for a twenty minutes challenge. The young man and I enjoyed a chat during sketching. 
Another giant, Rembrandt might be in my unconsciousness.
Sydney university invited Australian Linguistics Conference in 2004. Good girl Sadami was sketching speakers rather than listening to lectures:).
At a lunch break, we went to a second-hand book market. I bought "Rembrandt." Other students teased at me, "Sadami gonna be a famous artist!" I just blushed up. No idea to become an artist, but I secretly loved drawing and had admired Rembrandt. On a back cover, the single color work struck me, particularly, "Sleeping Woman 1654".
Breathtakingly, I looked, looked, looked into it.... and determined to explore watercolor...and to the present. I made it happen!
Probably, each artist has critical encounters with other artists and decision. Anyone starts with copying and develop originality. My admiring artists have been changed from time to time in seek of a style. Creative activities are identity forming and identity performance. Some people talk to me, "I wish I could draw like you," whistle my sketching on streets. My answer is always the same, "Be what you are."
My one regret in life is that
I am not someone

else.


Woody Allen
ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ
(That quote was on a linguist's door. Bahaha!?)
Let us find who we are in our journeys.

Well, a
coffee break for you! A cartoon, "Australian Survival Game" from "A Day in Poor Artist's Life" series.
Is your life ok? Hope this post brings you some smile.
Friends, happy painting, drawing and do lots of "Bhahaha" and survive!!
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58 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Sadami........love the cartoon at the end. Hope you are well, my blogger friend. :)

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  2. Sadami I do love your work and your enthusiasm for it and everyone else's work. Artist through and through is you. Your dedication is admirable. Monochromatic paintings are an exercise to practice. I particularly liked the drawings/paintings you did on site of the Chinese warriors. NOW: What does bhahaha mean so i can do it?

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  3. Huge gulp of fresh air here. And the source for thinking.

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  4. Sadami, you are right about the good paper: if you fail, you can never blame the paper. But this is not your case: you always succeed. Cheers.

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  5. Oh Sadami, your Australian survival game made me chuckle and at the same time picture myself on that mud right next to you, it's never easy, is it?

    Can I ask something? I'm curious about what kind of sketchbook you use for your sketches when you paint outside, can't figure out what kind of paper it has, thick? thin? watercolor? smooth?

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  6. Excelents watercolors, charges and design.
    Congratulations

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  7. What a great post, full of wonderful paintings, great advice, humor and most of all...Sadami!!!

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  8. Apreciada Sadami, que no nos falte un poco de humor, llevas toda la razón, aunque sea a veces hiriente y que represente un grito.
    Por que lo que es talento e inconformismo no le falta.
    Un abrazo.

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  9. Sadami, I LOVE LOVE LOVE " sleeping woman ". So strong painting with a few brush strokes...
    Also , only 20 minutes for this young boy !
    You are a catcher watercolorist!!!
    Kind regards et bises.
    Olivia

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  10. Un post muy interesante , y como siempre muy didáctico, el dibujo "young boy" esta genial,
    Gracias por tus palabras en tu anterior post, soy una persona optimista y luchadora, no problems!
    gracias.

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  11. さだみさん
    すばらしい!あなたのえのstudy of the death of Poussinはとてもうつくし。Very stunning using a single colour.もちろん、しょうねんがとてもすごいです。I enjoy seeing this piece again, he's got a lovely expression.

    あなたのblogpost を たのしんで、 ありがとう。

    Have a nice week
    エブリン

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  12. Maravillosos trabajos sadami, adelante y a pintar que la vida solo se vive una vez. saludos, jose

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  13. Dear Carol,
    Thank you. I'll survive and make lots of art works!!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  14. Welcome back Linda!
    The sketches of Chinese terracotta are my breakthrough for handling backgrounds. Yes, you can do laugh or "Bahahaha"--I meant "Laugh despite of it," or "keep a positive attitude in any circumstance." Not cynical, but a healthy laugh is full of humane feelings. It’s noble. I admire the people even at a concentration camp tried to keep sense of humour in order to survive(*see V.E.Frankl, “Man’s Searching for Meaning” written by psychiatrist, philosopher&logo therapy establisher). I know, Linda, you have a wonderful sense of humour!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  15. Dear Ayda,
    Thank you! A kiss and a hug for ye!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  16. Dear Irina,
    Thanks and relax! So, you get I wrote at your blog, "I sketch masters." Go and try it. School kids, too, sketch around me. Staff come and have a look of my sketches. Great fun. Work on your style.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  17. Dear Albert,
    You ARE so sweet!!! Oh, thank you. Your say makes me brush up very much. I have to confess I use cheap papers, too, because of a tight budget and too many daily sketches. But I'll tell you, Albert, each paper has features. Know it and "Make use of it" is the key for success. Then, paper serves you.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  18. Dear Comrade Teresa,
    Lovely to know I'm not alone! We must move forward.

    Papers for outside sketching are 1)Quill Visual Art Diary A4, Acid Free,110gsm(thin), Smooth, Cartridge,120 pages.
    2)Arche Watercolor A4,300gsm, Smooth.

    Light topics/doodles are on 1). But heavy works that need more wash are on 2) such as Chinese terracotta warriors.
    I look forward to your post.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  19. Dear Antonio,
    Thank you so much! Your art work is unique and creativity is wonderful.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  20. Dear Teri,
    Thanks, you, too, sweet! Your posts have wonderful heartwarming writings and beautiful works, too. Keep up.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  21. Dear Vincente,
    Thank you! I believe the sense of humour is the noble and precious gift from God. Only human can laugh. Not cynical, but a healthy humour makes us happy. Let us laugh more and make this world into a bit better for a next generation.
    A hug and cheers, Sadami

    Estimado Vicente,
    ¡Gracias! Creo que el sentido del humor es el don noble y precioso de Dios. Sólo el humano puede reír. No es cínico, pero un humor sano que nos hace felices. Vamos a reír más y hacer de este mundo un poco mejor para la próxima generación.
    Un abrazo y saludos, Sadami

    >>>Vincente said...
    Sadami appreciated, that we lack a bit of humor, they were right, albeit sometimes hurtful and represent a cry.
    That what is talent and not without dissent.
    A hug.

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  22. Dear Olivia,
    Thank you! You're living much nearer than me to French and European masters. I always enjoy how you interprete masters' work into your own way that inspires me so much. Let us enjoy painting!
    Cheers, Sadami

    Olivia Cher,
    Merci! Vous vivez beaucoup plus près que moi de maîtres français et européens. J'ai toujours aimé la façon dont vous interprete travail maîtres dans votre propre chemin qui m'inspire beaucoup. Laissez-nous profiter de la peinture!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  23. Dear Francis,
    Good to hear your cheerful voice! Thank you. I like the young boy, too. Yesterday, I made a 1200m swim. My medical team is happy. I'll keep up in art work and life.
    Cheers, Sadami

    Estimado Francisco,
    Es bueno escuchar tu voz alegre! Gracias. Me gusta el chico, también. Ayer, hice una 1200m de natación. Mi equipo médico es feliz. Voy a seguir en las obras de arte y vida.
    Saludos, Sadami

    >>>>Francis said...
    A very interesting post and very educational as ever, drawing "young boy" is great,
    Thank you for your words in your previous post, I am an optimist and a fighter, no problems!
    thanks.

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  24. Dear Evelyn エベリン,
    ありがとう!! あなたの にほんご、じょうずになりますね。びっくり しています。Copying masters is very interesting. You can have it at Victoria Gallery:).
    BTY, regarding a flood, are you ok in Melbourne?
    Cheers, Sadami

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  25. Dear Jose,
    Thank you!! That's the point, only once we live on the earth. So, live life fully. You, too, make lots of work and enjoy life!
    Cheers, Sadami

    Estimado José,
    ¡Gracias! Ese es el punto, sólo una vez vivimos en la tierra. Por lo tanto, vivir la vida plenamente. Usted, también, hacer un montón de trabajo y disfrutar de la vida!
    Saludos, Sadami

    >>>Jose said...
    Sadami wonderful works, go ahead and paint that you only live life once. regards, jose

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  26. Dear Dora,
    Yes, indeed.
    "I'm still learning," Michelangelo.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  27. Dear Sadami,
    Oh, great strokes!
    I like the way you build the planes of a face. Your fantastic style and skills are presented perfectly in that monochrome portrait - it's absolutely wonderful.
    And yes, I know very well, what does "poor artist's life" mean. But should an artist betray one of the oldest traditions of our profession? ;)
    Cheers!

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  28. Dear Akweralia,
    Thank you for a great encouragement. Yes, I'm exploring a monochrome portrait, too.
    Ahahahaha!!! "Traditions," what a wonderful expression and true. I'll keep it like other artistsʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  29. Evelyn, it makes me relieved, but sincerely hope other people, too.
    Kind regards, Sadami

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  30. dear sadami

    glad you are thrilled with you bg ..learning from the masters brilliant studies sadami .. a favorite of mine your 20 min study .. make that international survival....have a good week

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  31. Dear Jane,
    Thank you. I love your watercolor and wash technique. Like you, many people seem to like that work, the boy. Yes, let us survive! You, too, have a wonderful week.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  32. this is a great post Sadami ! I love your
    paintings and your words ! If I had to choose
    a favourite :then the young boy ! the light is
    wonderful !
    wish you a happy week ! bisous

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  33. Sadami you're a wonderful painter. In general I like the funds because they are like abstract paintings. The bottom of the first picture I like, has nice tone and texture. Have a happy and inspiring week.

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  34. Dear Marty,
    Thank you! I love your photos that are poems and illustration:)!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  35. Dear Leovi,
    Thank you! Your comment may encourage me to try abstract paintings that I've never challenged. You, too, have a happy and productive week.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  36. Oh Sadami, your watercolors have caught my eyes :) They are so good to look at! :)

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  37. Dear Maria,
    Thanks and your works, too, so beautiful and very eye catchy and...charming!!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  38. Thank you for your lovely comments, but, you know I come visit here to remind myself how it should be done. Your posts are always so joyful, and your paintings fresh spontaneous and full of warmth. More power to your painting arm, Sadami!

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  39. Dear Sharon,
    Thank you so much. Yep. Power to your painting arm,too!!
    And please be kind to yourself. I always learn from you lots!!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  40. Wonderful post, Sadami, what can I say? Fantastic paintings and drawings, you are a master of portrait, I have so much to learn by you! Thank you!

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  41. Dear Cristina,
    Thank you, but I'm not a master of portrait AT ALL!! I'm learning from everyone, even from kids's work. Your paintings teach me lots. Thank you!! I want to learn more about portraits, particular.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  42. Querida Sadami, cada vez que visito tu blog me invade una oleada de aire fresco. Vibrantes y vivos todos los dibujos y sketchs. Una auténtica fiesta!

    Besos!

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  43. Dear Carmen,
    Thank you! Me, too, feel fresh air in your blog. I'm sure it's beacuse of your lovely personality. Let us have fun and bring the world smile.
    Cheers, Sadami

    Querida Carmen,
    ¡Gracias! Yo también, sentir el aire fresco en su blog. Estoy seguro de que es debido a su personalidad encantadora. Vamos a divertirnos y llevar la sonrisa del mundo.
    Saludos, Sadami

    >>>>Carmen,
    Dear Sadami, every time I visit your blog I feel a wave of fresh air. Vibrant and alive all drawings and sketches. A real party!
    Besos!

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  44. I enjoy your posts and your unique sketches that are so loose and wonderful.

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  45. Dear Hilda,
    Thank you! A very long way to come to the loose style. I'll chat over it a bit in a next post.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  46. So many ideas and techniques you share. I always enjoy your blog and your comments when you stop to visit my posts. Yes, makes me smile!

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  47. Hello Sadami

    Just got around to reading your post and loved it. Learning from Old Masters... that's a good tip. I'm going to Melbourne in April, any suggestions for galleries (if you know Melbourne that is!)

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  48. Dear Maria,
    Thank you! I like your blog, too that has many interesting techniques and above all, your love for students is shining. Please keep up.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  49. Dear Ray,
    I'm not familiar with Melbourne. But "National Gallery of Victoria (Public)" http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/
    ...is like our NWS art gallery(run by the State Gov.)
    I do not know private one, so many like stars. Google any "your favorite artists&galleries in Melbourne." Eg)I google galleries show my favorite picture book illustrators.
    Many picture book publishers and illustrators are in Melbourne.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  50. Ha! I love this post, especially your sketch as "The Thinker." All very expressive.

    Yours,

    GG

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  51. The Sleeping Woman grabs my heart! It has such wonderful lines and emotion. Just love your work. Your hospital bed scene is very moving.

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  52. Dear Garden Groans,
    Thanks! My "eyes" think, not a brain:).
    Cheers, Sadami

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  53. Dear Margaret,
    Thank you. Me, too, love the work titled, "Deep in Blue." The patient, who gave me permission for work, was not happy with a result, she acknowledged my work captured her emotions. I'd like to express our inner world with watercolor. My journey will continue.
    Kind regards, Sadami

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  54. You do such a variety of looks with your works! i love your people, they have such a personality, and character!
    I'm looking closer at paintings now, and like the things you pointed out.
    vicki

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  55. Dear Vicki,
    Thank you! I always learn from masters. Classic is always new and fashionable.
    Cheers, Sadami

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