"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Back to the Drawing Board


Today was the first day of the new session of life drawing at the NV Museum of Art with instructor Martha Voyevidka. The timing of this class is perfect as I really feel the need to work on drawing skills. Tom was the model and he is just wonderful at holding his pose and resuming the exact same positon after a break. The challenge of foreshortening always attracts me so I set up at his feet in order to take advantage of this pose to have some fun with perspective. This was about 40 minutes on white paper with an ebony pencil.

Seated Tom - another 40 minute drawing in ebony pencil and finally.........
 
 
 20 minute sketch - cropped.
 
I adore life drawing and wish that the sessions were year round. This class is only once a week for six weeks and I already know I will miss one session as I have some travel plans - but I believe that every minute one can spend drawing the human figure from life is time exceptionally well spent. A good day for me today! :) Thanks for looking!
 

19 comments:

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    1. Thanks, Judy - I did feel a little unsure and rusty. Hopefully that will diminish over the course of the sessions. :)

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  2. Oh yes, I can see why you think your drawing skills need work... NOT!!!
    My goodness, these are exceptional drawings and you certainly didn't pick the easiest angle either! Amazing :0)

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    1. LOL - thanks, Sandra. I am hoping to increase my confidence of line over the weeks of this course. And I admit, I do love a challenge!

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  3. Wonderful sketches! I love fore-shortening, too - it's such a challenge. :)

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    1. Many thanks, Kathryn - Tom's body has a lot of straight lines as his arms and legs are thin - I was looking for a curvier vantage point as well as foreshortening :)!

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  4. You can certainly draw well, Susan. I love the foreshortening, whilst the perspective is perfect

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    1. Thanks, JOhn, as you are a master of perspective, I am delighted! It's so odd how this art thing works. I was doing a portrait today and could not get the proportions right at al - tomorrow is another day - sigh.

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  5. You did have a good day. And you're so right about drawing and drawing and drawing some more. We have an open studio life drawing session every Saturday morning at our association. It began today, but I missed it. Maybe I should make it more of an obligation next week? It does go on all year long though. You pay as you go.

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    1. I am so envious, Linda - a weekly session would make my heart sing. I feel I lose something between session and must spend the first few weeks trying to regain where I was. I am sure you will love it if you decide to go - and I greatly encourage you.

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  6. Thanks, Irina - your drawing skills are excellent.

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  7. This is an incredible drawing, Susan...and not an easy one..of course, you aced it!!...foreshortening is always a tough one for me. I did it with my model but her hand took a long time until I figured it out..LOL

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    1. Thanks, Hilda - it takes some thinking to figure it out, but such fun when you do! I love even going beyond what I see in order to emphasize the foreshortening just a wee bit!

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  8. Double pleasure is to hear this opinion from the master like you are. Thank you!

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  9. You are very welcome, Irina - it is a pleasure to share this art journey with you!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!