I am a strong believer and know the importance of maintaining a sketchbook. It’s the best way to keep your skills sharp and remain a viable artist. An artist’s sketchbook can be very personal and reveal a lot about the person, but these sketches are great moments in time observing life around me.
My sketchbooks can be found on me where ever I go. Out of sheer pleasure and relaxation, with any free moment, whether waiting around or enjoying an espresso, I find myself observing and sketching in my handmade sketchbooks.
I was dissatisfied with the quality of store bought sketchbooks, so over the years I have made all my sketchbooks. Choosing only quality papers, I tear them into a variety of different sizes and I use scrap pieces of matte board for the covers which I then have wire bound at the local office supply store. The making of my sketchbooks personalizes and makes a greater connection to the experience.
Some sketches are exactly that and then there are some that I would revisit and develop into more sustained drawings. I’ve included a variety of quick gestural and spontaneous line drawings to the more observed and developed drawing.
It takes a lot of sketching to get a couple of gems, so here are some I like. All sketches are from observation, working with archival ink.
DFilippone on 17 July
2010
The C. William Gilchrist Museum of the Arts
104 Washington Street,
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
C. William Gilchrist Museum of Arts Season Schedule
DFilippone on 20 April
2009
DFilippone on 20 April
2009
The capability of the human form and its design seen through under-recognized individuals is what this body of work, 'Laborers' pays homage to. I strongly believe in the determined strength of the human mind as an over riding control over the physical capabilities of the human body. Our ability to accomplish difficult and challenging tasks allows us to advance in society through these actions.
DFilippone on 10 May 2008
While settling in and becoming comfortable with a new studio space, I settled into the space by doing some observed nature studies exploring a different medium. Metalpoint drawings and the process, which includes time and patience to build up the subtle strokes that cluster together to create subtle tone, were always of interest.
Metalpoint drawings are when a wire of metal (silver, copper, brass) is used like a pencil to create delicate lines and marks on a prepared surface. Over time metalpoint will oxidize, causing it to darken slightly and take on a subtle brownish hue. Metalpoint processes are referred to as: silverpoint, copperpoint and brasspoint.
DFilippone on 10 May 2008
Illustration is directly linked to ever-changing social and political trends, fine art movements and technological advances in the field of publishing. Through a wide variety of skills and styles, images are created to express visually the ideas of the client. Painting and drawing are the foundations of this applied art, but the real definition of illustration is that it is a form of storytelling. As an illustrator in editorial and book illustration, I incorporate a narrative and sense of humor to conceptualize and distill concepts and commentary into a single image.
Daniel Filippone's interest in painting and drawing began at the early age of seven.
Born and raised in New Jersey, with a very close proximity to New York City, Daniel attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he received a BFA in Illustration.
He is also a graduate of the New York Academy of Art, where he acquired his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting. There he developed his personal vision, using the figure as a central element in his work.
Daniel regularly exhibits his series of paintings and drawings at national and international galleries.