The first of this month I started taking a drawing class from a very talented young man, whose name is Mark Treick. His drawing is super realistic, almost photographic. I doubt I will ever draw with such precision but I am enjoying learning his processes. See Mark's work HERE!
This is my drawing assignment for this week, draw something with volume and draw it close to it's real-life size:
We went to the beach for a few days last week, and for some reason, this is what I choose to draw while I was there......really, a stapler?
When I say, I'm trying to be more observant......I am. I'm trying to look at some of the things in my everyday life and really look at them. How are they made, what are they made of, how do they fit together, if I draw them like my left brain (the logical side) sees the item it will not look the same as if I slow down and draw with the right side of my brain (the side that does a better job of interpreting line and form).
Most of you have heard of Danny Gregory who is an excellent artist and the writer of marvelously, encouraging and informative journaling books. Today he posted about slowing down! He is making major transitions in his life and he is examining and questioning some of his former motivations and lifestyle habits, you can read more HERE.
I'm not moving cross country, or even, across town but I am trying to slow down and observe. I'm trying to notice the shapes and colors of the clouds and the leaves on the trees as I walk the dog and sometimes I even stop, or bring things home, to draw them.
I think drawing does that for you.......you really have to look at an object or a person or a tree to draw it or sketch it.
I like sketching, I think it has more feeling than drawing with such precision but I, also, like using only graphite and an eraser to replicate an exact form on paper and for now, at least, I'm working on being more observant.
7 comments:
I love visiting and viewing your drawings. They are wonderful. Pencil and paper used to be my favorite pastime, until I insured my right hand. Now I can do just about anything I set my mind to, except draw with pencil. My hand just drags across the paper and creates smudges.
Your work is so delightful and fresh. It's easy to see that you gain much pleasure from your work. Simply lovely.
Have a marvelous week,
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
Gorgeous drawings, Jan!!! What a teacher you have, eh??? WOW! I think you have just plain natural talent. The slowing down helps, but dang, girl you are talented to boot!
xoxo- Julie
I love that you have that ability to draw so well. Neither side of my brain allows me to interpret what I see in front of me. I can't even draw a circle properly, although I have genuinely tried. And it seems the slower I draw, the worse I make it. Sort of like riding a bike. Once on it, if you go slowly, you wobble and weave, but if you go at a fast steady speed, you get someplace. Of course, I tell my brain that, but my fingers refuse to cooperate (grin). I'm glad you have that ability and I truly admire your art that I can appreciate vicariously.
To answer your question on my blog post, that entire front garden was designed to be a survivalist garden. If it grew, it stayed and propagated. If it died, I didn't mourn. And of course, everything has stayed and adapted, except now it is out of control because of all that sunlight.
Glad to see you back. Hope your summer has been fun.
Wonderful drawings. I was attempting to sketch a bit yesterday but was disappointed in my results. Oh well...I'll keep trying.
I so agree with your description of drawing. so often we try to draw what we know is there rather than what we see. You have obviously been getting 'into the zone' of seeing because your drawings are looking amazing!
Jan, your sketches are amazing. Your detail is brilliant. Thanks for sharing with us. :)
beautiful very realistic drawings, tough class!
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