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 10 May 2008
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 (1975) is a New Jersey born Artist/Illustrator who began drawing and painting at the age of seven.
At an early age, Daniel and his family traveled to and toured Italy several times fueling his great admiration for the Renaissance artists. His travels through Europe are a great source of influence and inspiration. Daniel’s education in art continued as an undergraduate and graduate in nearby New York City institutions.
Daniel attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where he received his BFA in Illustration in 1997. After graduation he studied at the University of Florence as part of a summer abroad program through the Fashion Institute of Technology. After returning from his studies in Italy, Daniel worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at the Fashion Institute of Technology. He also led the F.I.T. Illustration Alumni Association where he founded and became Director of the Portfolio Development class. There he taught figure drawing and portfolio development to alumni and students.
A freelance career as a muralist/illustrator developed through word of mouth and Daniel acquired many mural commissions in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which later helped to secure a position as an artist for a faux finishing and mural company. This had given him direct working experience on how to work with large-scale works and spaces.
As a freelance illustrator in editorial and book illustration, his illustrations outline his sense of humor and ability to conceptualize with skill and distill concepts and commentary into a single image.
Daniel acquired his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting in 2003 at the New York Academy of Art. There he taught figure drawing to New York City high school students as part of the New York Academy of Art “Go Figure” program. A body of artwork developed using the figure as a central element. His current series, started in the Academy’s masters’ program, pays homage to the working class, most specifically, construction workers.
Daniel’s career as an artist/illustrator and educator continued at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina for three years. Daniel was hired initially as the Artist/Illustrator in the University’s media center, then eventual teaching positions in Drawing and Painting in ASU’s Department of Art as an adjunct instructor and Lecturer.
Daniel is an Assistant Professor of Drawing and Illustration at Frostburg State University in Western Maryland. Daniel is continuing his paintings and drawings entitled, ‘Laborers’ and exhibit these works nationally and internationally.