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Day 29 Sktchy portrait of a toddler in ballpoint pen, with minimal under drawing in pencil. Given that this is the first time I’ve done a portrait in pen, and given that is the first time I’ve drawn a portrait of a child, I’m actually pleased with it, despite its flaws
Day 28 Did one of the goofy Sktchy portraits. Used hatching this time instead of full surface shading. I missed some opportunities to model the eyes more constructively, and the corner of the left lip droops too much. Got some ideas for better hatching in the future
Day 27 Drawing lesson with local teacher Robin Cole. Continuing work on still life – building up values with compressed charcoal and willow charcoal. Still in progress
Day 26. Back from vacation. Finished the portrait. The eyes are a bit off, but I’m fairly happy with it
Day 25 I’ve come to appreciate drawing flowers as warm up. The shapes are abstract enough for the left brain to cease control to the right brain. Also, there is some “give” in what a natural flower may look like (unlike man made objects or the human body), so the results haven’t felt like a failure yet
Then, started on the next Sktchy portrait.
Will be in the Utah desert for the next 5 days, so probably be able to post anything until I come back, but I’m taking a minimal art kitDay 24 I’m not sure it’s done, but I’m done with it. It was a challenging reference, angle and lighting wise. I actually think there were several section I should’ve left alone – it initially had a stronger focus on the eyes. Wish I’d done a value matrix before diving in. He Sktchy class is inspirational but not that instructive
Day 23 Another flower line drawing exercise. I could’ve benefited from sub-dividing the larger shapes first before getting into the leaves
Then, started on a portrait with France Van Stone’s Sktchy class, which is mostly just draw-along. I do find “real” people’s faces much more intriguing than staged model shots.
Day 22 I got some pretty flowers, and they just begged to be drawn (I focused on a very small snippet). Goal was to practice sight-sizing and drawing accurately from nature. Also, my local teacher has encouraged me to approach the drawing of botanical items as a series of angled lines rather than jump straight for the curve – she things it yields more energetic and more realistic plant representations, so I’ve tried to do that, as well. Then, felt compelled to do a bit of shading for depth. Obviously not a complete render. I should’ve been more strategic in my approach in that, let’s say, pick 3 values and be consistent, rather than my happy go lucky approach.
The sight drawing approach seems to be getting easier for me; at least today.
Day 21 Friday Live Figure Drawing, just for fun and general practice. I enjoy figure drawing so much more now that it’s no longer my “official” challenge focus
Day 20 First quick pass at a fool’s cap on top of a squash. Lots of interesting folds that I don’t want to deal with tonight. Will revisit tomorrow
Day 19. Met with my local teacher Robin Cole again. Transferred the line drawing to good paper using transfer paper and a willow charcoal rub. Outcome seems to be comparable to using light table, but my light table wouldn’t have been big enough for this one. I’ve come to realize that during the rendering process things are fluid anyway, and the copied line is guidance more than law. We did a little value sketch (picture taken after Robin prettied it up). I’m learning that at times the mind needs to overrule the eye – it’s not about rendering everything true to observation, but in such a way that it’s easy for the observer to interpret correctly. Quote I’m pondering: “What’s the minimum amount of visual information you need to provide to communicate what you want?”
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