Written by I’m Marc Taro Holmes and I’m Canadian, and was born in Alberta (a mid-western province) – but have worked all over the USA as an artist in the video game industry. Recently we moved back, settling in Montreal. It’s one of the more scenic cities in Canada. Great place for an artist!
Little bit of personal info about yourself, when did you start painting?
Actually, funny story, I always wanted to paint – but I didn’t want to make any bad paintings. Around age 19, I finally realized it doesn’t work that way. I wasn’t going to spontaneously discover how to paint so I’d better get started practicing. I’ve been fairly compulsive about drawing ever since.
What’s your background? What inspired you to paint?
When I was a kid I was into fantasy and science fiction. I loved the art in book covers and in comics and role playing games. I ended up designing dungeons and dragons roleplaying games for many years. But the real deal was when I discovered World Wide Sketchcrawl, and later UrbanSketchers.org. Just google either of these groups – they’re both online art clubs that encourage people to go drawing in the streets of their cities. Anyone trying to motivate themselves to draw should join (or start) a local chapter! This was life changing for me in a literal sense.
I’ve been quite involved in Urban Sketchers for the last 9 years – serving a few years on the board of directors and teaching at workshops annually. And of course it’s been the main subject of my blog – Citizen Sketcher. The bottom line is, I love the combination of art and exploration you get by travelling with a sketchbook. For me, it’s the best way to experience the world. Every street becomes a potential painting, every event a chance for sketching.
What do you do now for a living?
I still do the workshop teaching part of Urban Sketchers. This summer I’ll be one of 20 or 30 instructors in Manchester UK for the annual USK symposium. We’re expecting about 500 artists from all corners of the world. That’s not directly making a living, but it has inspired many other things. I’ve been doing my art blog since 2007- that matured into my first art instructional book, The Urban Sketcher, spun off into online classes for Craftsy.com, videos for ArtistNetwork.tv and along with all that my own workshops and public drawing events.
Sure, I have long term goals. Like most artists I’d love to just paint for myself. Possibly open a gallery. Live the life of the fine artist. But I do really love being an art blogger. I find the constant engagement with other artists keeps me motivated and constantly learning.
A little about your process and the favorite materials you currently use:
I love drawing quickly. I’ve always preferred doing 100 one hour sketches over making a major museum piece that takes 100 hours. I’m trying to get over that mental block – so that I can make some of those masterpieces! But it’s been natural for me to transition from rapid ten minute pen and ink sketches, to tinting my sketches in watercolor, and later full-fledged painting. But always with the approach of finishing a sketch in a single session. As far as materials – it changes all the time – but right now, this week anyway, my favorite things are old style dipping pens (used with colored ink).
That, or just drawing directly with a nice sharp sable brush and my watercolors. I’m working to develop what I’d call Alla Prima Watercolor. Going directly into the paint without any preparatory drawing. I love the sense of risk and reward. You only get one crack at it. It’s perfectly suited to working rapidly on location. But I’m always giving myself a new challenge to try. I’m about to start a long term project to do with making my own pens for instance. I’ve been admiring an Asian artist who does incredible drawings with just a stick! We’ll see how that goes.
Like I say – the way my mind works, I develop various skills by giving myself small challenges. Little games or short term projects with weird constraints. Here’s something I was just trying out this week. A warm up exercise I’m calling ‘Three Times Fast’ – which is pretty much what it sounds like… Draw something three times fast! How about we try this out?
Three Times Fast
A Sketching Exercise by Marc Taro Holmes
This is the Auberge Bishop. A historic building downtown, not too far from the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s actually a hostel these days – but it’s clearly got some history behind it.
The idea with this game is, instead of crunching up your concentration and trying to force out a good drawing on demand, I go into the thing not even trying. Just testing it out. Just seeing what happens.
I do three in a row, without stopping. With each one you learn a little more about the subject. The second part of the game is not to slow down. If you’re going to be on location for half an hour, then get all three done in that half hour. This keeps your drawings lively. No trying hard here! Trying hard leads to pressure. Pressure leads to stiff drawings.
Along the way I’ll start adding a bit of color here and there. I feel like you can trick your brain into getting that great drawing by sneaking up on it.
As well, you almost get a little bored by the third time – so you can draw it without the preciousness. Sometimes the third one is the charm, sometimes it’s the first. You never know. But the liberating thing is, in the back of your mind, you know you’ve got three kicks at the cat – so you can stay relaxed, and keep that feeling of freedom – of experimentation.
So thanks Charlie! That’s something I’ve been wanting to try out lately. Thanks for the chance to show it off. If anybody out there finds they like this exercise, send me some pics of what you drew!
People can always find out what else I’m up to over on Citizen Sketcher – or just friend me on Facebook.
Happy Sketching,
Marc Taro Holmes
Citizen Sketcher
Facebook
Twitter
Examples from Readers of Three Times Fast
I received a sketch in the e-mail from Bill Fagan – an architect and reader of the blog. Here’s his test of Three Times Fast. It’s neat to see the small variations in each one – even with an architect who is trained for consistency 🙂 Bill says this was three in 45 minutes – which seems pretty great to me. Thanks for sharing Bill. You can see more of his stuff at his flickr site.
Reader Erik Madsen of Santa Fe New Mexico sent in his Three Times Fast sketches. It’s fascinating how they look similar at first, but the more you look the more you see interesting differences. I love how it’s hard to choose which is best. I think it’s great fodder for going back into the studio in the winter and doing one big painting taking the best touches from all three.
You can see more of Erik’s wonderfully free flowing sketches on his Flickr stream – or check out his guest post on Urban Sketchers.
If anyone else has given the Three Times Fast Exercise a try, link your drawing in the comments below so we can see how they’re turning out!
Without doubt one of my favorite artists. His book and follow up Craftsy classes are exceptional. Thank you Marc for sharing your “Three Times Fast” exercise! Thank you Charlie for a great doodlewash!!
Thrilled you liked this feature!! Thanks so much, Carmel! 😃
This is fantastic advice! I truly love the idea of three times fast exercise….just wondering how large are these sketches. I am going to try this out. I am already following Marc is this a past post of his that you shared here Charlie? Thank you for this post!
Hey Margaret! Nice to see you over here at Charlie’s place – He invited me over to guest post a while back and we finally made it happen:) (Thanks Charlie!)
So yes, those are 9×12″ sketches. I just grabbed a pad of Strathmore Multi-Media paper to try this out. I always have a stack of those pads for ink drawing ~m
Marc, thanks for replying, wondering which colors you used…in particular that pinkish salmon color, it is a stand alone color or mixed? I absolutely love the colors used. 🙂
There’s two inks – the Higgins Sepia and R&K Blue Mare. So the first colored one is just water going into those inks. Pretty much the same for the second – except I touched it with some DS Quinn Gold Deep and possibly some Transparent Red Oxide – but i don’t think so. So the pink is the Sepia ink flowing out with water and interacting with the blue. I do love the Mix Media paper for that ‘bloom’ you can get with the fountain pen ink. Not all papers bloom so nicely.
Oh and there’s a few strokes of 1/2 Lexington Grey (1/2 water) in the peaked tower on version #2 as well!
Hah! see I went so fast I can’t even remember 🙂 – Looking for the *third* time i see – the blue in the roof is ALSO emphasized with MGraham Turqouise – it matches the ink so well I didn’t notice at first. But it has to be that, looking at the line versions. It’s fun to work this fast, but not great for making color notes 🙂
no worries, I can easily play around with colors and see if I can come up with that color combo. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this Margaret! Yep, this was Marc’s first appearance here on Doodlewash and I was thrilled to feature him!
Thank you, Marc. As usual, your tips and instructions are helpful and memorable!
For those who don’t yet know him, Marc is a great teacher!
So glad you enjoyed Marc’s feature! And yep…you’re right…he’s an excellent teacher. Loved his Crafsty course!
These are fantastic Marc. I am now following you on Facebook. Charlie once again, thank you for introducing Marc and sharing his work.
Yay for the follow, Susan! So glad you liked Marc’s work! 😃
Excellent post. Looking at USk now – never knew such groups existed!
Excellent! Great to here we’re introducing you to Urban Sketchers. I hope there’s a group near you. It’s a lot of fun finding a tribe of like minded sketchers! ~m
I just took the Craftsy class before I went on a recent trip to Kauai. I look forward to incorporating and practicing what I’ve learned. And now…going to check out the book! Thank you Marc and Charlie for this wonderful post!
The book is wonderful, Jessica! Definitely recommend it! So glad you liked Marc’s feature! 😃
Marc is a wonderful artist and amazing sketcher I am a long time follower of his blog! His book is fantastic! Thank you Charlie for another great feature! And thank you Marc for be such an inspiration to all of us! Thanks for the idea of the “Three Times Fast” that’s sound a great practice for sure to try out! 😉 Carolina
So glad you enjoyed Marc’s feature Carolina! Glad to know you already follow his work! 😃
Thank you yes I came across his Blog time ago and I know his book glad you did future him! <3
I’d just like to re-iterate what everyone’s saying! Thanks for sharing a Marc Taro Holmes post. I love his work and I struggle quite a bit with the stiff drawing so I’m delighted to have this new exercise to try.
So glad you enjoyed this! Definitely give the exercise a try and be sure to let Marc know what you thought of it! 😃
I admire the work of Urban Sketchers…and Marc’s art is no exception! Love it!
Yay! So happy you liked Marc’s work Teresa! 😃
Thank you Marc for sharing your exceptional art and your life with us. You are very motivating. Thank you Chatlie.
Opps, I spelled your name wrong Charlie, but I guess one could say you are “Chatlie or chatty”. Hehe
Haha! True…I guess that works as well! 😊lol So glad you enjoyed this feature, Sharon!
Thank you Marc! I have really appreciated your book! I will try the exercise. Love your blog too! One day I would like to get to an Urban Sketchers event. Thanks Charlie…
Thanks Hannah – the next big one is in Manchester UK in July (http://www.urbansketchers.org/p/usk-symposium.html) – but if I was a betting man I’d guess 2017 was going to be in the USA – though we don’t know for sure until the international committee makes the decision – but yes, hope you can make it someday!
You’re quite welcome, Hannah! Glad you liked Marc’s feature! 😃
I just signed up for his People In Motion class..
I love his work..I first discovered him trough Shari Blaukhopf ..another artist I love.
Then on a blog I also love and follow..a comment led me to his Craftsy class..
The class is fun..and I picked up a new pen..and sketchbook..
I would like to find a niche in my very green/novice style that has a bit of motion..
so talented..I thought..this is the wrong class for me..
but you pick up things..and I plan to persevere.
So generous in sharing tips and ideas.
I love the class!
And I just discovered his blog through the class.
A great artist!
Definitely persevere, Monique! Wonderful instructors like Marc and Shari are a fantastic resource! Just keep sketching as much as you can and having fun…you’ll be surprised what will happen! 😉
That is how I discovered the various urban sketchers . Craftsy classes on sketching-one led to another. And then their books and their blogs. I have learned so much. Great teachers and artists.
Marc, I’ve always enjoyed your videos on Artist Network and have one of your books! Wonderful to see you working here with Charlie! Bravo to you both!
Hey Marc, I’ve done the “three times” exercise off and on for a while now – never quite as intentional as you’ve described it, but certainly with similar results. One of the things I try to actively weed out of my work and my students is that paralyzingly sense of preciousness. This is a great way to loosen up – thanks for sharing!
Mark
Great to hear it works with your students! I’ve yet to apply it to a class – I always try things on myself first 🙂 But yes, this one is such common sense. It’s worked for me so many times by accident – why not make it part of a routine of deliberate practice! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practice_(learning_method)#Deliberate_practice).
So glad you enjoyed Marc’s feature, Laura!! It was wonderful of him to share his awesome work and tips over at Doodlewash! 😃
beautiful lines…so much life. (K)
Thanks Kerfe! Glad you liked Marc’s style! 😃
I love his style of teaching on his blog and with Craftsy. He just inspires me.
Thanks for featuring him Charlie.
You’re quite welcome Teri! I could agree more! 😉
I have two Craftsy classes from Marc.. I’m going to have to wait until the summer to really delve into the classes. I did start People in Motion which has helped me tremendously in quickly sketching gestures. Poking forward to learning more from you! Thank you, Charlie and Marc!
Glad you enjoyed this feature, Kari!! 😃And yay to summer! You’re in for a treat with Marc’s classes!
Beautiful sketches and paintings. There is a wonderful energy to these, am always in awe of urban sketchers. This is a wonderfully inspiring and encouraging feature post, thank you Charlie and Marc for sharing.
Thanks so much Haunani! Glad you enjoyed Marc’s feature! 😃
Fabulous! I’ve been trying for years to achieve such a loose, lively style. I’ll be following Marc’s FB page with avid interest from now on.
Excellent! So happy to hear that Michael. You won’t be disappointed! Marc’s great! 😃
Marc, I like your loose style. If I were a drawer, that’s how I’d like my work to look. And it reminds me a little of Tofan Gheorghe’s work, he’s also on WordPress. Kudos.
Thanks for commenting Janina! Glad you liked Marc’s feature! 😃
Excellent post
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed Marc’s post!
Reblogged this on Jacob Russell's Magic Names and commented:
More inspiration
I have Marc’s book and Craftsy class as well, and have learned a great deal from him. It makes my meetups with Vancouver Urban Sketchers much more enjoyable.
That’s so wonderful to hear, Terry! Glad you enjoyed Marc’s feature! Thanks!
Thanks, Mark and Charlie. This was very interesting!
Awesome! So glad you liked this feature! 😃
Thanks for the info and drawings in your great blog. I’m an artist myself and I learned some things! Check out my blog if you’d like :).
Amazing drawing!!! I love it!
Glad you liked this! Marc is definitely one to follow!
I love the idea of three times fast. This would be a good way to get myself out and exercising too.
[…] Macnaughton, a graphic journalist, and Marc Taro Holmes, an Urban Sketcher (also a Guest Doodlewasher). I got immediately connected with the freedom of sketching everyday things without the pressure […]