Emma McGrath |
About the ArtistAs a person I would say that I’ve always been creative and somewhat of a social butterfly once I’m comfortable- most people who know me would probably agree that I am an optimist in just about every way.
Throughout school, elementary and high school, art was my favorite subject, a safe and enjoyable space where I could express my emotions that felt too big for words. When I have been at my lowest is when I was able to create some of my best pieces of art, it is one of my greatest outlets. I would say that as an artist I find joy in what inspires the creative part of my mind and what brings smiles to the faces around me. I have done work for the local VFW, and the animal sanctuary- and some of my bigger pieces have been hung in the UB art museum and shown at Villa Maria. Those were some of my greatest accomplishments as unexpected as it was at the time. |
Reflections on Urban Sketching
In this Urban Sketching course I have learned so much- I have been able to test my abilities and challenge myself with new ideas and techniques. Before now it was rare that I would have gone out into public to sketch the environment around me, whether it was due to insecurities, anxiety or just the idea not really occurring to me- unless it was still life this just wasn't something that I had done before. My skills have most
definitely grown as well as my love for the art style and I will continue to try new things and keep growing in this area even after the course comes to a close. The one thing I look back on the most would be the times that I could sketch in public and there were LOTS of people around- I remember the fear at first that someone might approach me or wonder why I was sketching them, but slowly as I got into it, that fear faded
and I was able to have a lot of fun with it. I love everything about it!
definitely grown as well as my love for the art style and I will continue to try new things and keep growing in this area even after the course comes to a close. The one thing I look back on the most would be the times that I could sketch in public and there were LOTS of people around- I remember the fear at first that someone might approach me or wonder why I was sketching them, but slowly as I got into it, that fear faded
and I was able to have a lot of fun with it. I love everything about it!
“A Rainy Walk on Campus”
This was my first urban sketch and I did this on the walk to the commons. It was gloomy but still beautiful- I decided to do my sketch here just as it started to rain and I had to finish up once indoors so my sketchbook wouldn't get all wet. I really enjoyed this and honestly it turned out a lot better than some of my later sketches. The way everyone huddles under umbrellas or rushed to stay dry, there was something charming
about it, the way people all walk the same rushed walk and lend coverings to one another to stay out of the rain.
about it, the way people all walk the same rushed walk and lend coverings to one another to stay out of the rain.
“Studying Distractions”
This was my second attempt at an urban sketch, done in the nest of my dorm building, O’Shea. I tried a new composition- a smaller urban sketch and then some still life objects from the environment around me to sort of add to the feel or vibe of the area I was in. People came and went but at this point I was not yet too comfortable with fast gesture drawings that I could later add details to. So I left them out for the most part-attempting one small gesture drawing at the bottom of the page. It was very cool to see the people around me and watch the movement of the scene- as it had gone from day to night and the lights in the nest turned on.
“Solitude”
This was the first sketch that I had to do virtually, I wasn’t able to sketch fully on location so this kind of inspired the title. It ended up being half from my imagination and half from real life images- it just so happens to feel a bit lonely and I think that's fitting to what was going on with not being able to go out and sketch as well as my personal goings on at the time. This sketch also really challenged my abilities to work with
different angles and shapes as cars are not the easiest thing to draw I came to realize.
different angles and shapes as cars are not the easiest thing to draw I came to realize.
“Strangers”
This was one of my urban sketches that didn't really qualify as an “Urban Sketch”- missing out of any sort of background or environment. However I still value what I took away from this study. This was the first time that I broke out of my comfort zone and sketched the actual people around me rather than just the area itself and inanimate objects. It challenged me to draw moving life and changing people, to add details from new people or transpose some details, as well as to worry less about people who might be curious about what I was doing or approach me.
Urban Sketching Kit
I tend to be a very indecisive person- If I don't have it all, it's likely that I will want or need the one thing I left at home. So, I try to have a little of everything and what is most important. I keep a pencil of every kind, the micron pens that I use most for fine line work, simple colored markers that I use the most(in the colors turquoise, red, and purple), a white gel pen for highlights and sometimes mistakes that I can't erase, some
smudge sticks, and a long pen style eraser. In the smaller, clear case I keep a pencil sharpener, a larger eraser and a kneaded eraser. Depending on the day and the medium I intend to use I also have some small tins that I can easily carry filled with watercolor and gouache paints as well as a paint brush that holds water in it- this I can just throw into my pencil case after I have filled it with water. Generally I have found that I like to do simple sketches and then find somewhere comfortable to sit and add in the details.
smudge sticks, and a long pen style eraser. In the smaller, clear case I keep a pencil sharpener, a larger eraser and a kneaded eraser. Depending on the day and the medium I intend to use I also have some small tins that I can easily carry filled with watercolor and gouache paints as well as a paint brush that holds water in it- this I can just throw into my pencil case after I have filled it with water. Generally I have found that I like to do simple sketches and then find somewhere comfortable to sit and add in the details.
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