I’m participating in the 3 Materials Drawing Challenge
And learning together.
Hi, I’m Adam Ming and you’re reading Ten Minute Artist, a letter to help you get started, keep going, and live and experience a creative life in this busy world.
For half the year I’ve been coming up with different sketchbook projects for us to do every day.
I’m thinking for a time I’d like to share different resources that I discover and participate in with you instead, this will take the burden off from creating new challenges while giving me the ability to participate with you, sharing things I learn as we go.
To kick this off I’m joining the 3 Materials Drawing Challenge. Which is this week’s sketchbook project.
The 3 Materials Drawing Challenge is hosted on Instagram by
with Kathryn Boyt and Naomi Tipping.The ‘Rules’
Draw in a sketchbook from life, with 3 materials, spending no more than 30 minutes. (I’ll do 10) The challenge goes on for 50 days. Post Sketches on instagram and substack notes with the hashtag #3materialsdrawingchallenge
Background
Kathryn Boyt, started the challenge for herself as a way to stay productive during the school holidays.
The first one was 3 materials for no more than 30 minutes for 30 days.
I’ve been seeing these 3 material posts on instagram for a couple of years, but I could never find the information to participate in one place. So when I saw one of the hosts
write about it coming up this year I was excited to learn all I could. I caught a reply of the live and took notes, which I’m sharing here with you.Choosing Materials
If you know the subject you will be drawing you could prep materials and colours suited to the subject matter. (Eg: I’f I’m going to draw swim practice I’ll bring pink and blue and if I’m going to draw football practice, I’ll bring green)
Alternatively you could bring a pencil case of various materials and select on the spot. This would lead to some funky combinations.
You can take this idea to the extreme by just bringing 3 materials, and use them to draw whatever subject you happen to pick. (Yes trees can be pink, try it!)
And then there is prepping : take some time and pour out your materials and make little bundles of 3 materials. When prepping it could be a good idea to use various colour pallet examples as guides.
Rules of Thumb:
When selecting materials, choose 1 fill material, one line material, and something between the two, a medium material.
Consider if the materials can mix to create a third colour (a yellow and blue might mean you don’t have to take a green.
Use what you have, you probably don’t need to buy anything for this project.
A Quick search of the #3materialsdrawingchallenge will give you all kinds of ideas for colour combinations, and material inspiration. It’s a great way to learn together. Kathryn herself said she would see a combination one day and try it the following day!
Themes
You could pick themes before you start, Kathryn is doing 5 days of buildings followed by 5 days of something else etc. Naomi’s will be drawing a lot of kids on the sofa but will be making a point to have a drawing day out. And
will be trying to use up old material and maybe experimenting with ‘7 types of colour contrast’.For this first week, I’m following my kids schedule.
As a picturebook illustrator, you can’t really go wrong drawing your kid in action.
I did some practices so I’ll have examples for you to see. So far I’m not convinced with my choice of materials.
This selection consists of 2 marker pens and a black wing pencil. I shared the sketches with my critique group and got the following feedback, from
who is an excellent sketcher!pick thee different textures - writing from memory:
One pointy, thin, dry (like a marker)
One smudgy, textured, larger (like a wax crayon, pastel)
One wet, like watercolour, brush pen…
Three markers could also work but whichever tool you use, try out all kinds of ways they blend with each other, creating 4th, 5th, 6th colour
Use water as additional material to dilute markers (if they’re water soluble), pick a watercolour pencil you can apply dry or wet…
She also shared the following inspiration:
Honestly one of the best parts of the challenge is the opportunity to inspire and be inspired by others. I think I’m going to learn a lot from this challenge that officially starts on Monday.
And I’ll report back with progress, or lessons and failed attempts!
Here’s a list of things you could draw.
Sports gestures, from life or TV
Food and Drink Packaging
A market scene or close up, I did spend 10 minutes drawing fruit in a supermarket.
Animals, pets or fish
A meal
A person you’re having a meal with
A window
Ps: No gallery this week, use the hashtag and post to instagram or substack notes!
Also:
now has it’s own substack.
Thanks for writing about this, I’m going to join too :)
Excited to see your work Adam! So glad you’re joining 🙌