Welcome to another edition of “Friday Five” where I pause regular work to play around with words and try to be useful by sharing a few things I’ve enjoyed this week. Have a seat! This edition brings you an art book, a Netflix series, an audiobook, a cake and the tiniest of flowers. Happy Friday!
1. Drawing for Illustration by Martin Salisbury
This book is brilliant. I wish I hadn't read it so that I could enjoy reading it for the first time again. Books on drawing that I've read so far, fall into categories, like how-to or glimpses into artist's work and perhaps that's why this book felt so unique and fresh... it was neither of those things, even if basics are laid out in the first part, and quotes from illustrator/artists are interspersed throughout the book.
Because having only recently ventured into this hobby, everything can feel overwhelming, having the steady voice of an experienced person feels like just the right kind of guidance. Although I knew that yes, everyone can draw, getting better at it is about learning to see. Seeing is a skill that develops with time and practice and Salisbury is direct about it. "While experimenting with a range of media is ultimately important, when trying to get to grips with the basics of drawing, it is advisable to focus on the process of learning to see rather than giving in to the distractions of the respective effects that can be created by the myriad drawing implements available."(p. 52) Seeing people's work online has positives and negatives: "On the one hand, there is now unprecedented instant access to an enormous array of influence from wide-ranging visual cultures and traditions. On the other hand, it is easier than ever to slip into imitative mannerisms by (consciously or unconsciously) for example, drawing foliage that owes more to the decorative patterns of a particularly admired picture-book maker than personal experience of the real world." (p 105) Teaching yourself to draw from memory is an exciting and challenging next step.
I love how the book is written; everything is divided into categories, each heading gets a succinct text often containing description, historical context, advice and examples. Not just current illustrators are profiled, but ones from the past too; their qualities are highlighted as are the mediums in which they worked.
I so enjoyed reading this book!
2. Guilty pleasure
Indian Matchmaking (Netflix)
3. An audiobook that's fun to listen to
Unlike some podcasts, audiobooks have little in the way of special effects. (One narrator was described in the review as having a "nasal voice"!) Coming across a book read by the author is always a plus, but coming across an author who genuinely seems to enjoy narrating what they wrote is especially delightful. I didn't know this could exist to the degree it does until listening to Lucy Worsley narrate her book titled Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman. It feels as though she read the entire thing smiling! She even seems to chuckle at parts! In the audiobook, she narrates "The early acidic Miss Marple is actually the Miss Marple I prefer. But perhaps that's because I'm a nasty old cat myself." I can't even imagine that is true.
4. A treat
If I were to bake myself a treat for Mother's Day, it would be this cake.
5. The scenery here
The trees this week have all sent forth their seeds. Because I arm myself with a camera, I've been paying closer attention to the display this year and have enjoyed the variety and detail...
Just look at these seeds! Black and white and pink and green! They look like they’ve put on a dress to go Flamenco dancing!
From a rainy day to a sunny day, this tree with its tiny buds went from quiet and modest to bright and buzzing, attracting to its tiny yellow flowers a swarm of happy bees.
Psst: Take care!