Harvey Pierpoint
Cycling Artist Top Tips
There are great opportunities to see and experience your environment more intimately and immediately by bicycle, the cyclist can look, stop and record what they see very easily.
Cycling, art and enjoying your environment therefore go very well together.
The limitations of the cycling artist include the amount of gear and art materials you can comfortably carry; the use of a trailer, panniers and/or bar bag will need to be considered.
Art materials that are more practical to transport and use outside are listed below, if you choose to use a bike trailer then it’s possible to take your entire studio if you wish!
Wet art mediums/materials:
Watercolour/ inks
You will need a mixing palette, often included in the lid of watercolour set boxes. A container for water to dilute paint and rinse brushes, perhaps a small sponge for wetting/damping paper for wash effects, watercolour paper hard back pad or drawing board and loose paper.
Dry art mediums/materials:
Oil/chalk Pastels.
Pencils/charcoal.
You will need hardback sketchpad or paper and drawing board.
Pencil sharpener and eraser.
Be realistic about what you can artistically achieve in the great outdoors, wind, rain and/or bright sunshine should be planned for, also ensure you are within your comfort zone; cater for food and warmth.
Sitting, standing or using your bike and bar bag as an easel can all be comfortable positions as work stations, if sitting consider using a foam or inflatable sit mat.
Weather proofing your artwork and materials are important, various sized plastic zip bags, large for sketchpads, smaller for pencils/pastels and small items are helpful.
Cycling gear and clothing,
Warmer clothes for sitting and standing should be considered, being still for a long period can make you feel cold, especially following a walking/cycling activity; clothing layers work the best.
Choosing your subject/theme.
Creating ‘traditional’ landscape images can be difficult, consider just one detail, simplify what you see, draw a tree not the forest!
Try working in different ways; use a sketchpad as an ‘ideas bank’, simply record colours, textures, designs and shapes.
You don’t have to aim for ‘ready for gallery artwork’ make mistakes and have fun.
Set time limits for each drawing or painting perhaps only two minutes each, give your self a challenge!
Go out with a plan, what to look for, perhaps look at other artists/artwork for ideas.
Don’t miss out on discoveries, something you find round the next corner, a change in light conditions or a single hedgerow flower.
Have a go! Don’t be disappointed with results, if you are a new or returning artist, perhaps enrol in an local art class or check out ‘how to do it’ guide books at your local library.
Photography
Use a camera to take snap shots and use these images back at home/studio as a ‘reminder’ in order to finish the work you started on the cycle ride or as a ‘source’ image for later work, or perhaps just keep the photo as your artwork. Compact digital cameras are very quick and immediate to use and are easy to carry.
Stay comfortable
Don’t forget your tool and repair kits, spare inner tube, route map/GPS and (perhaps more importantly) your flask of tea/coffee or try a Kelly kettle (see photo) for freshly brewed, piping hot beverages.
If you use prescription glasses, ‘reaction’ lenses are useful or use normal sunglasses in bright sunshine
Article and Photographs © Harvey Parry Pierpoint 2008
Harvey Pierpoint has a web site where you can find out more and also see his work; at www.cycling-artist.com
Art on NCR45
I am hoping to develop this part of the site to encourage an interest in Art on 45 both in creating work and owning pieces created by artists like Harvey Pierpoint. Please contact Mike Clarke at email mikeclarke@ncr45mercianway.co.uk if you are an Artist and want to display work here or have links to your web site. I would also like to hear from anyone who likes to get out to paint and draw by bike particularly on 45.
