Author Archives: Karen Fred

from the sketchbook

A study of Van Gogh from 2020 sketchbook. I love the way Van Gogh uses lines, so I wanted to experiment with that. He used oil paint, but I used a sharpie and Derwent inktense paint. The note to self reads: J’ai dessiné cette image en regardant une photo d’un autoportrait de Vincent Van Gogh.Continue reading “from the sketchbook”

from the sketchbook

I love doing these—quick blind contour of a horse with eyes closed. I drew a lot of horses when I was a little kid in my room with one of those “How to Draw” step-by-step books, so fortunately I remember what a horse looks like (I’m also from Texas, so knowing what a horse looksContinue reading “from the sketchbook”

the futility of criticism

In childhood, I proved my bravery by watching horror movies like Nightmare on Elm Street. Settled onto the brown carpet littered with popcorn and Reese’s pieces, one arm clutching my knee like a life raft, I kept my eyes open the whole time. As we walked home in the dark, I’d chant One, two, Freddy’sContinue reading “the futility of criticism”

from the sketchbook

I found an old book from 1906 called Extinct Animals by E. Ray Lankester, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S. I drew this blind contour drawing while looking at a picture of a Dodo bird’s skeleton. Based on the writing, I may have also been channeling Dave Matthews. At the time I drew this, I wasn’t listening toContinue reading “from the sketchbook”