Sharpie Art Workshop

Techniques and Ideas for Transforming Your World

Timothy Goodman

• Publisher: Rockport Publishers
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9781627883672
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Art General

"Pays tribute to the ubiquitous, universal, and highly user-friendly Sharpie marker... The heart of the guide is the many short creativity exercises." — Library Journal Bold and sharp, brilliant and vivid, Sharpie markers can be found in art, office, and stationery supply stores, drugstores, mass-market and crafts chains—almost anywhere writing utensils are sold. Sharpies can be used on virtually any surface, from the traditional (paper and canvas) to the unexpected (fabric, plastic, ceramics, glass, wood, stone, metal). In addition to the original fine point version, Sharpies are produced in five tip widths, several formulations, and in more than thirty colors, plus silver metallic. Their familiarity, accessibility, and clean, bold, dense line—especially the graphic impact that can be achieved with classic black—have made Sharpie markers the go-to medium for creatives of all stripes. In Sharpie Art Workshop, designer, artist, and art director Timothy Goodman explores Sharpie writing products, the materials and supplies that can be used to enhance or modify them, and the range of creative techniques and effects that can be achieved. Through a series of examples and exercises, Goodman demonstrates how to make different kinds of marks, patterns, and images on a variety of surfaces. Inspiring works by noted artists from all over the world who use Sharpie in interesting and innovative ways are also included. Sharpie Art Workshop offers ideas and inspiration to anyone who's looking to explore the creative potential of this exciting medium. So when you make your mark, what will you create? "Slim and unique, this 'catalog of inspiration' enthusiastically celebrates the mighty marker." — Publishers Weekly

Creative Exercises

APPROACH CREATIVITY AS A PRACTICE, NOT AS A PROFESSION.

I always tell my graphic design students at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, to approach design as an exercise or a practice, not as a profession.

By definition, an exercise is an activity done to practice a skill. It’s a process carried out for a specific purpose. And what better purpose do you need when you have a Sharpie? Personally, I never wanted to be a professional. I only wanted to have the opportunity to make stuff I love. Some stuff you get paid to make and some stuff you make for yourself, but all of it is a useful exercise in creativity. Sharpie is nothing but a tool for your creativity. It’s the means for a creative process, a chance to make something beautiful, and an excuse to make a beautiful mess. For me, it’s the chance to flip a cliché, to make the expected unexpected.

This section is the lion’s share of the book. We will explore many different exercises that can inspire you to think differently about what a Sharpie can do for you. Some are very accessible, some are a bit more ambitious, and some are just eye candy. However, no matter what you decide to do, take your time, have fun, and enjoy the process! There are no rules.

Just let it out!

MARK MAKING

Like athletes, creative people need to loosen up and stretch before the big game. Simple mark-making exercises and activities are a great way to get the mind going and the blood flowing. Some people make abstract marks and scribbles, some try out brush techniques, while others practice with lettering and words.

Often times in the morning, I’ll sit down with my tea (I don’t drink coffee!) and my Sharpie Brush Tip and make scribbles or write out words in different ways. I often make marks in my notebook while I’m on the phone, too. I find it increasingly important for me to carry Sharpie markers and my notebook with me whenever I’m out, in case any ideas come to mind. I find the idea that I can draw anywhere at anytime extremely liberating. It’s also a great way to be spontaneous when meeting a friend for coffee (or tea)!

Mireia Ruiz
I love how Mireia uses people against backgrounds filled with simple marks. This is a piece for the clothing company, MMVIII.ca.

Carolyn Hinkson-Jenkins

New York, New York

Carolyn Hinkson-Jenkins has been the director of operations for the BFA Advertising and BFA Design Departments at the School of Visual Arts in New York City for over fifteen years. She holds a BA from Hunter College and a MS Ed. from Baruch College. The images shown here were the result of her obsession with covering a blank calendar page while on the phone. As you see in the intensity of her strokes, some days were better than others. However, the results were all a labor of love.

Mireia Ruiz

Barcelona, Spain

I absolutely adore Mireia’s use of mark making and they way she uses photography to capture it. Mireia is a graphic designer who studied at Bau Design College of Barcelona. After forming part of DGestudio, she joined Cocolia, where she took charge of art direction. Today, together with Raul Ramos, they direct the studio. She combines her profession of graphic design with illustration, and participates in various artistic and creative projects. Check out her gorgeous work here: mireiaruiz.com.

The Scribble And then there’s the scribble. The dictionary says to scribble is, “to write or draw (something) carelessly or hurriedly in a way that makes it difficult to read; to draw lines or shapes that have no particular meaning.” But I think the scribble can have a lot of meaning. It is a gesture of life’s collective confusion and can reflect strong emotion. It represents the beauty of life and the process of living the question. Here are a bunch of different scribbles you might see or make. Now try some!

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