nathanyoder

[nathanyoder]

One from a series of Colorado landscapes I’ve been working on for a client. There’s been a lot going on lately-work wise-that I haven’t had the chance/been able to share about. I’m hoping to share more with you all soon. ✍🏻 #illustration #penandinkdrawing https://ift.tt/2R4wcTD

[nathanyoder]

Here’s a progress shot of a bookplate design that I recently finished up as a birthday present for my sister-in-law @sarah.m.carthur. We’re still waiting on the rubber stamp to come in so I’m going to hold off on sharing the final until I have some pictures of that to share. More to come! The underlying sketch was done using a red pencil to make for easier separation of the black when moved to the computer. At one point I let my pen roll over some wet ink on the drawing, hence the smudge on the left. 🤦🏻‍♂️ no matter how hard I try, I somehow always manage to smudge my drawing. Happy New Year by the way! Pen and ink on Bristol 8.5x11” #penandink #exlibris #bookplate https://ift.tt/35iGlB5

[nathanyoder]

Work has gotten busy again so I haven’t had time to work on much personal stuff but here’s an illustration from a little while back. Side note—here’s a really great quote by the illustrator, Robert Fawcett, that I recently read from his book, On The Art of Drawing: “Although I do believe one should try to draw accurately, I do not believe that fine draftsmanship is synonymous with exact accuracy. It is usually based on “the thing observed,” which, distilled by the personality recording it, may become quite distorted from the original. The test, if we can presume to put a yard rule to something so ephemeral as drawing, is whether it gives the impression of reality over and above superficial resemblance, and whether the drawing provides an emotional stimulus quite apart from its own subject matter.” #penandink #illustration #engraving https://ift.tt/388UKlP

[nathanyoder]

Friday in the office. When drawing in this sort of way, I like to have a scrap of paper close that I can make mindless doodles on throughout the day. Eventually something will begin to develop that I like but then the challenge is to find a way to make it work within the space left open on the page. The result is always something that feels a bit more unique and honest than it would have if I sat down with a clearly thought out plan in mind. The challenge then is trying to recapture that same sort of carefree spirit when working on something that does require a plan. Not to over poeticize it but I think I enjoy this way of working because it reminds me most of how life unfolds… generally it’s the unplanned and unexpected moments that make for the most interesting/special/exciting moments in life. Discipline and planning have their place; they make it possible to achieve things that we could not otherwise if left to our own whims and fancies. But too much discipline and planning can also make life begin to feel pretty boring and a little too safe. I think the key lies in finding the balance. Or, you could say, the key lies in establishing good technique—the ability to skillfully and intuitively navigate the unexpected. #illustration #penandink #watercolor https://ift.tt/2CON9KO

[nathanyoder]

Our son is going to be 10 months here in a couple of days. The older he gets the more I find myself thinking back on my own childhood and all the things that I enjoyed when I was younger. Last night Katherine and I watched the first Toy Story again and it brought back all kinds of good memories of the day my parents came home from a night out and surprised my brother, sisters, and I with that movie. . . Life is so much simpler as a kid and yet it also seems to be equally complex during that season of life, too. I remember looking forward to adulthood and thinking about how much easier it would be when I had my freedom. Now I think back to my childhood and remember how much easier it was when I was under the guidance and protection of my parents. It’s such a blessing to now get the chance to watch all of those experiences run their course in the life of my son. Life is such an amazing gift. #illustration #penandink #watercolor https://ift.tt/2CIOX84

[nathanyoder]

A drawing of my mug from last night. My wife found this great Vanilla Chai tea at the store and sometimes she surprises me with a cup of it. What are your favorite teas? #penandink #illustration https://ift.tt/2rqNbWQ

[nathanyoder]

Work has had me pretty wrapped up the past couple weeks so I haven’t been able to get too much more done on the Notre Dame piece. In the meantime, here is a peek at something I’ve been working on for a client. I look forward to being able to share the whole thing soon. #illustration #penandink https://ift.tt/2PxsORV

[nathanyoder]

Well, so much for doing a drawing a day for #inktober. I’ve somehow managed to find myself, once again, neck deep in a drawing that’s becoming more detailed than I had originally anticipated. Anyhow, I’m having a lot of fun with it. This is the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. I’m drawing it from a photo I took while traveling the summer before last with my wife and her side of the family. So this, of course, is from before the fire damage that occurred around six months ago. It’s such an incredible building. #wip #sketch #notredame https://ift.tt/2OYvyr5

[nathanyoder]

Pencil sketch for today’s inktober drawing—Hogwarts—drawn at the request of my lovely wife. If you know anything about Katherine then you know that she loves the Harry Potter books. Basically, if she’s ever quoting a line from a movie and I’m unsure which it is, my first guess is Harry Potter… my second guess is Little Women and if it isn’t a movie then it’s probably The Office. Anyway, we’ll see if I can finish this one this evening! #illustration #sketch #wip #harrypotter #fanart https://ift.tt/2AZpJ4p

[nathanyoder]

I’m already falling behind on #inktober! Regardless, here’s where I’m at on my first contribution. I’m hoping to have it done by tonight. We’ll see! Thank you all for your suggestions! Please keep ‘em coming. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. #sketch #wip https://ift.tt/2nImGLi

[nathanyoder]

This is a bookplate design that I did for my sister-in-law a little bit ago for her birthday. The final was touched up a bit on the computer but this is how the original turned out—drawn on an 8.5x11” sheet of vellum. #inktober begins tomorrow by the way! Last year I did a series of animals requested by you all. This year I’m thinking of doing landmarks. Feel free to name some you’d like to see in the comments! It could be a landscape, building, monument…etc. We’ll see how many days I can do this year. https://ift.tt/2mtphIh

[nathanyoder]

Crop of an illustration I’m working. #penandink #illustration #engraving https://ift.tt/2kQ63M2

[nathanyoder]

A doodle from the other night while doing some more studying on line work. In looking at the work of some of the great pen and ink artists of the past, it’s easy to think that conveying tone and texture with lines should be pretty straightforward and simple. But then you try to do it yourself and you quickly realize how much technique, discipline, and experience it requires. More and more, I’m understanding the value of patience. #illustration #penandink https://ift.tt/2O7rjt8

[nathanyoder]

A doodle of my hat from last night. #illustration #penandink https://ift.tt/2Zx7KjH

[nathanyoder]

Made a little more progress on this the other night. Im getting closer to being able to pull a test print! #woodengraving #engraving #printmaking https://ift.tt/2z78D3O

[nathanyoder]

Some Saturday sketching using one of the hundreds of extra personalized pencils my wife and I still have left over from our wedding day (a little over 3 years ago). We really shouldn’t have to buy another pencil again. #sketch #stilllife https://ift.tt/2Zh8I06

[nathanyoder]

Trying out some scratchboard techniques on paper. Side note: I just learned that you can refill Micron and Faber-Castell PITT pens with India ink once they’ve dried out. You can look it up on YouTube. https://ift.tt/2O7Edc8