Annotations That Increase the Value of a Drawing

This is a mixed media sketchbook drawing that is lost.  I am so happy to have a digital copy of it. 

Annotations Can Increase the Value of a Drawing

This drawing is an example of artwork with annotations that can make it more valuable.  

The idea of annotating text with sketches might be more common that annotating drawings with text.  But this is how I do it.  Just as the artist’s signature increases the value of the work, so do other handwritten notes.  It is an additional layer of identifying the artist.  Some annotations that I regularly use in the margins of my drawings are:

• the date
• the time
• the temperature
• the name of the tool I am using
• a swatch of the colors that I am using
• overheard conversations
• journal entries
• dictionary definitions

A Dictionary is an Art Tool

I used to enjoy copying definitions into my sketches from a paper dictionary. 

Which is a throwback to overcrowded Detroit Public School classes where an exasperated teacher would have us write dictionary definitions to keep up busy and quiet.   At least that is the only reason my 8 year old mind could figure.  

What I thought was asinine busy work was actually improving my handwriting and giving me a love of the dictionary.  It could be that handwriting, use of a physical dictionary, and spelling are all things of the past.   

My mother gave me one recently as a gift.  Do any of you still have a real dictionary?