Eric Alexander Santoli
  • HOME
  • STUDIO SALE 2025
  • BIO
  • PORTFOLIO
    • DRAWINGS
    • WATERCOLORS
    • OIL PAINTINGS
    • 2023 GIVERNY RESIDENCY
  • COMMISSIONS
  • TEACHING
    • TESTIMONIALS
  • WORKSHOPS
  • ERIC EN PLEIN AIR™
  • SHOP
  • LINKS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG

Lost With Technique

3/29/2017

0 Comments

 
  I've been looking through some of the concept art/illustrations for a story I wrote a few years ago.  It's making me a little sad because I feel that I've lost something somewhere along the line.  My technique has been improving over the years, but something about these old illustrations is better.
  It might be that the passing of years has tinted my perception.  It's all making me realize that technique is completely useless if you don't have a story to tell.  Maybe it's that these illustrations are more sincere, so I feel like they have more magic in them?  
  I have some new developments coming in my life, but I'm going to find some time to write a short story to illustrate.  I really can only make sincere art when I have a story to tell.  
Picture
Original art from "Whale's Tales" © 2014
Picture
"365 Tao" Book by Deng Ming-Dao
0 Comments

Creative Viewpoints in Drawing

3/27/2017

1 Comment

 
  I've recently been practicing changing viewpoints and perspectives in my drawings to enhance creativity.  I feel like if I have one piece of good advice for new illustrators, it's to think about different ways to represent the same scene.  Imagine that you're a cameraman and you want a different angle on the scene.
  I really love seeing the creativity of artists who think of unconventional viewpoints!  In the sketch below:  I tried drawing a bicycle from directly below and from directly above; I also threw in a sketch of Totoro and the catbus in the rain for fun. 
Picture
1 Comment

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Review

3/26/2017

0 Comments

 
  I picked up a set of Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors.  I've had my eye on these for a while and finally decided to pick them up from Kinokuniya in NYC.  I decided on the 18 color set because I personally prefer a limited palette.  They also have smaller and larger color palettes available.
  The colors are bright and almost creamy when you touch the water to them.  I did notice also that they take slightly longer to dry than traditional watercolors.  When the painting dries, it also has a slightly glossy appearance to the surface quality.  The set of colors is really cute and even includes a place on the back of the lid to paint a small color chart.  I'm going to need much more practice with these, but I do like them a lot so far.
  My final opinion is that these seem like a good tool for an advanced artist or illustrator, but not for a beginner.  If you're just starting out, I'd save some money and practice with a cheaper set of watercolors.  All watercolors are pretty similar and these take a delicate hand because they're very creamy and soft.
0 Comments

New Skull and Crossbones Fender Installed

3/22/2017

0 Comments

 
  I just installed my new front fender with a custom skull and crossbones stencil!  The bike also has a new chain and fuel valve.  If you live in northern NJ and need bike repair, I fully recommend Locomotion Powersports in Mahwah.  They also sell gear and new bikes.  I can't wait to ride more tonight.
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    Academic
    Canvas
    Color
    Colorblindness
    Drawing
    En Plein Air
    Frames
    Motorcycles
    Music
    Oil Painting
    Pet Portraits
    Philosophy
    Portraiture
    Progress
    Reading
    Reviews
    Skateboarding
    Teaching
    Technique
    Travel
    Varnishing
    Watercolor
    Workshops
    Writing

    RSS Feed

​​© ERIC ALEXANDER SANTOLI 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  • HOME
  • STUDIO SALE 2025
  • BIO
  • PORTFOLIO
    • DRAWINGS
    • WATERCOLORS
    • OIL PAINTINGS
    • 2023 GIVERNY RESIDENCY
  • COMMISSIONS
  • TEACHING
    • TESTIMONIALS
  • WORKSHOPS
  • ERIC EN PLEIN AIR™
  • SHOP
  • LINKS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG