36 Comments

I love this, I don't do as much as I should at Museums but I'm going to start! Thanks for mentioning our class.

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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

This inspires me, Sam!

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I really loved this newsletter about going to museums to draw. I’m planning on going to the Albright-Knox-Gundlach ,AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, New York. In 2016, the museum was given a $42.5 million donation by Jeffrey Gundlach, which increased the museum’s campaign to $125 million. A few months ago, it has finally was re-opened to the public after an expansion and renovations. I always loved that museum and spent a lot of time there during college. It is right across the street from Buffalo State College. There are a lot of events planned for this year that I hope to attend. I’ve been practicing drawing hands, so I’ll take your suggestion and use the sculptures as my models. I saw the video of the Degas ballerina on Instagram, too, it was very interesting.

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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

Hi Samantha, thanks for the great newsletter and wonderful suggestion of taking a sketchbook along to a museum or art gallery. I take mine many places but for some reason have never thought of taking it along on one of those outings. Thanks too for introducing me to ‘The Sneaky Artist’. I live on a remote island about a days travel to Vancouver, but manage to make it to Vancouver every month or so. Hopefully, I may cross paths with him some day, maybe at the Vancouver Art Gallery!

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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

Love this post. You’ve inspired me to get back in my sketchbook this winter. Do you add color on site or afterwards?

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That Degas dancer spread ❤️💕 so in love. Lovely read and a good reminder to get to a museum in coming days.

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Jan 24Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

I remember this live demo at The Met store! I went in person to watch and it was lovely. I remember you saying that you were nervous about talking and drawing at the same time, but the audience didn't care! It was just hypnotic to watch you draw live. I avoid drawing faces because I don't practice enough - good tip about doing it at museums.

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High praise for the article. The actions and subsequent challenge you offered is the dawn of establishing ( better yet re-establishing) a connective tissue of viewer and art. The matter of being able to capture beauty through replication by hand drawing is something that will preserve curiosity, intellect and creativity.

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Dec 27, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

Hi - I see that the year membership is on sale- I am monthly but wondering how I switch over to yearly?? Thanks

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Dec 23, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

I sketched at our museum a few times with classmates. I was so intimidated and insecure but later I really liked what I had done. I haven’t been back, maybe it’s time! Love your work.

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Dec 20, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

Love this! My artistic abilities (if you can call them that) are limited to collage. It's not uncommon for me to bring a small amount of materials with me to a coffee shop on a saturday, to see what I can do with limited resources and a change of scenery. There's something cathartic about making art in public spaces. I wonder if the drafting priactice here could be adapted to collage. It's something I'll have to ponder upon.

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LOVE all these sketchbook pages so much, thanks for sharing and inspiring us so.

Merry creative December!

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Dec 19, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

This was a such a thought provoking post for me that I signed on as a paid subscriber. I like to draw anything and everything but for some reason never thought about a museum setting. It's just a great suggestion for dreary winter days. Thank you!

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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Samantha Dion Baker

My mother was a wiz at faces. Me? LOL, I can draw a bug, bird, plant but people? LOL, they always end up looking unlike what is there. But practice makes for a learning process...great idea going to museums to do that. Learning from the Masters is a great idea. Thanks. As I plan my artist dates for 2024, this will be on my list.

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I love this idea and practice. Great way to also get children interested in the museum.

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OK, sounds good!

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