Sketchisode Two: Monochrome Magic – Inks, Pencils, and Charcoal

Dive into the monochrome in today's 'Sketchisode' as we explore the striking world of black and white across three different Kunst and Papier sketchbooks. These are no ordinary sketchbooks; they're the Binder Board variety and my absolute favorite.

As much as I LOVE color and revel in it’s glory, there's something liberating about working with black, white, and every shade of gray in between. When color enters my work, it takes center stage, often leaving line and form waiting in the wings.

However, black and white art strips down to the essence of line and mark-making—two elements I find deeply satisfying. It's a journey through different mediums and their unique impacts on marks and approaches to drawing. Imagine the crispness of a freshly sharpened pencil on textured paper, the definitive swipe of a permanent marker, the dance of sumi ink and brush, and the velvety chaos of charcoal. This isn't just about the visuals; it's about the tactile experience too.

Monochrome drawing hones my ability to depict light, form, and volume without the seductive complexities of color. It's not just drawing; it's seeing—with clarity, precision, and a touch of dramatic flair.

This post has alot to share so let us dive in!

A5 Portrait Size - Pencils Only

When working with pencils, I tend to favor softer, darker pencils. The thick dark marks they make and how they feel smoothly gliding across the paper helps me channel my most expressive lines.

Quick line drawing, sitting by the lake at Braddock Park in North Bergen, NJ.

Super cool corner of The Met in New York, 2021. This sketch inspired this painting.

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. You can purchase prints and merchandise inspired by this drawing here.

A sketch of a beautiful spot in Palisades Park, NJ.

View from Taberna Lúpulo in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Drawn at The Met, The Denial of Saint Peter by Caravaggio

Drawn at The Met, Ugolino and His Sons by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux

Drawn at The Met, Andromeda and the Sea Monster by Domenico Guidi

A5 Landscape - Pen, Ink & Charcoal

This sketchbook is a trove, with everything from abstract experiments to whimsical doodles. For this series, I've selected my fav black and white sketches to share.

While charcoal can be a messy medium, and sometimes a challenge to preserve without fixative and protective sheets, that messiness is capable of producing unexpectedly beautiful effects. Take for example the leading sketch in this collection—it's a prime showcase of such happy accidents.

View from my sofa. Knowing the charcoal would create a mirror image of the drawing, I decided to work on the left hand side of the sketchbook, leaving its ghost on the right, creating a rather disorienting effect.

Xavier playing in the sand. Corolla, North Carolina.

Poseidon at Virginia Beach.

Flamenco in New York.

The view on date night.

In these sketchbook excerpts I work with both brush & ink, and the ink from a permanent marker.

Matisse and his model.

My model.

Fountain at the New York Botanical Gardens.

Parque de las Palomas, Old San Juan.

The Grand Square

In the final spotlight of this post, I unveil my substantial 11.7x11.7 inch square Kunst sketchbook. It's a compilation of my preferred black and white creations, showcasing the diversity of brush pens, markers, and pencils.

A distinctive pattern emerges throughout these pages—a desire to saturate every inch with intricate detail and rich texture. This maximalist style sparks a question: does this fullness verge on visual overload? It's an ongoing debate in my creative process.

An expressive sketch of Monstera leaves. You can buy art and merchandise with this artwork here.

A hike through a dense trail…with bees.

View from my local coffee shop on Boulevard East. Guttenberg, NJ.

A suspiciously creepy toy shop, seen in Amsterdam.

Thrift store lamp line up.

Yet another sketch of the lake at Braddock Park.

Wrapping Up Our Monochromatic Journey

And there you have it—we've reached the conclusion of this particularly in-depth Sketchisode. I appreciate you hanging in there with me. The idea of segmenting this post crossed my mind, perhaps into two or three parts. However, showcasing the collective black and white sketches from recent years in a single sitting was compelling for me personally. Reflecting on these pieces has been a creative catalyst, sparking ideas for transforming these sketches into vibrant colorful paintings. Stay tuned for where these sketches take me next!