Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Brandon Schaefer and I’m an artist focusing largely on drawing and watercolor painting. When it will come to drawing, I appreciate to attract animals and wildlife with pen & ink on toned paper. For watercolor painting, practically nothing beats heading outdoors and finding an interesting landscape or subject matter from lifestyle. I also share my art journey on my YouTube channel and site.
How and when did you get into artwork?
I’ve always enjoyed art and I began drawing when I was 5 a long time previous. I was closely influenced by Disney animated videos and cartoons and I would draw several of the figures I viewed. When I was young, I believed I wished to be animator when I grew up. That didn’t end up occurring and I did not go after but I’m joyful with the possibilities I have designed with my artwork.
How has your exercise adjusted over time?
It has modified a ton around the several years. I mainly drew during my childhood and only ever tried portray after I was in university. Only then I commenced to go after painting and art a bit more seriously. I made a decision to understand watercolor painting but this stage lasted close to 1-2 decades. I then moved on to acrylics in search of far more bold colours in my perform. I utilised acrylics for about 4 years before seeking oil portray. After I tried out oils, I was hooked. I utilized them exclusively for about 4 years as nicely. Sooner or later, I made the decision to just take a excursion for painting but I wanted a lightweight, negligible travel sketching set up and for me, oils did not do it, so I began relearning watercolors for plein air painting. Finally I stopped employing oils entirely and went again to watercolors the place my portray journey began. I also began making use of pen & ink about 2 yrs in the past and adore it as well.
What’s the ideal piece of art information you have been provided?
I think the very best art guidance I’ve been specified is to simplify your topic. As artists, we enjoy to observe every little thing all-around us and see all the minor specifics. And I assume we love to overthink, above-complicate, and overwork our parts in some cases. So for me, I generally try to keep in mind and go again to simplicity inside my perform and my existence also. A lot less is much more. Let the viewer fill in some of the particulars with their creativeness. I assume that helps make it a lot additional pleasurable for us and people viewing our do the job. And it presents us a obstacle and something to try for.
What’s just one art tip/technique you can share with us that you locate actually practical?
I have found that experimenting with my art and the course of action is a single of the greatest factors to do. For illustration, last yr I tried including a splash of watercolors in the track record of some of my pen & ink animal drawings on toned paper. This combination definitely introduced an solely new glance to my drawings and opened the doorway to making an attempt other methods as nicely. Experimentation has aided me to evolve with my artwork and my design and style.
What is your most loved Strathmore paper?
The Strathmore Toned Tan and Toned Gray sketchbooks and papers are my favorite to attract on, no doubt. I almost under no circumstances use white paper anymore due to the fact the toned paper just will make the process considerably extra enjoyment and easy.
