No.3: Another Recurring Theme
The study of doorknobs, door handles, key holes, and more
I seem to have an obsession with the glass doorknobs in our apartment. Specifically the two that I see the most, on the closet doors in our bedroom. I can see both of them from my spot in bed. I just love the vintage look of them, the shadows and the bursts of light that shine through the facets and reflect off the metal plates behind them. They appear slightly different each time I sit and observe them, and they force me to see all of the subtle nuances of dark and light pertaining to even the most basic home fixture. I also love the buildup of paint on the metal hardware holding them in place, and the old keyholes underneath. It makes me wonder how many times the knobs have been turned, and how many different people have turned each one. How long ago the original key was used, and if that key is sitting in an antique shop somewhere in a box of old keys. Who designed our glass doorknobs, and in what kind of workplace were they made? They are likely still reproduced today but not with the same level of craftsmanship. I am not inclined to do a lot of research or try to calculate how many times they have been touched, but I appreciate that they make me think about these things. The answers to my questions don’t matter. I just simply enjoy these old doorknobs, and I enjoy drawing them even more. The process of translating what I see onto paper—particularly commonly overlooked objects—is a beautiful and satisfying challenge.
I have painted other doorknobs and door plaques as well over recent years. One that appears in my second book, Draw Your World, in the section on everyday life, recalls a moment that I enjoy coming back to. Once when I was in Philadelphia, passing through a revolving door, I noticed a small plaque under my hand where I pushed. I stopped the door, took out my phone, and started taking some reference photos. Meanwhile I hadn’t realized that I had completely stopped the traffic coming through the door! Sometimes I am oblivious to others when I notice something that I know I must draw.
Keep an eye out for small details. The more you open your eyes to them, the more you will see. I imagine that many of us pass by beautiful details everyday, year after year, without noticing them. The ordinary can be so beautiful if you take notice and draw!
And here is another old doorknob that I fell completely in love with that was on each door at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Canada. Custom doorknobs for the hotel! I even used some copper metallic paint to show how they truly looked when the light hit them.
In honor of this edition of my newsletter, I drew the handle on my studio door in my sketch journal. It is not nearly as interesting as the vintage doorknobs previously shared, but as I always say, even ordinary things become extraordinary when you draw/paint them!
If my doorknob/handle artwork is inspiring to you, and you decide to attempt to draw some that you see in your world, please share your work with me. If you are a paid subscriber, you can share right in the subscriber chat. I can’t wait to see what you create!
I am working on some exciting in-person workshops, a challenge with my friend Ohn Mar Win, and I am busy writing my next Skillshare class. I will be sharing more very soon. Please stay tuned!
I love how you draw collections of things -- ordinary everyday things we might take for granted on any given day, but here, under your pen, they are elevated to art! **Come back, come back and draw all the old radios, boats, lamps, and bed knobs around here with me!!!
I love old door knows, one day 100 trs from now the current design will be vintage, but not very unique I think.
Anyway your art is always spot on and enjoyable to see. Great inspirations, particularly favor your mini sketchbooks. I've been playing with mine when waiting for a food order. It's great to start and finish a little project in an hour.
All the best,
Nancy