I’m in Portland, taking a 3-day figure drawing intensive with Fran O’Neill. Saturday was Day 2 of my intensive, and though about mid-day I was cranky, I ended the day on a high. I did not want to stop.
I learned a new way of drawing. Isn’t it thrilling that I can draw for so many years, and still learn something totally new. People underestimate the potential of drawing, I think. It’s just the same old burnt stick and paper, but the approach is new and interesting to my puzzle-loving brain.
In recent beginning figure drawing classes, I’ve been teaching League students how to draw with sight sizing, envelopes, construction lines, and what I call “straight line measures.”
Beginning Figure Drawing, student drawing
What I learned today is related to this process. I’ll call it a close cousin. In the hands of Giacometti, it might look like this:
Euan Uglow 1951-52
Antonio Lopez Garcia put white marks on fruit and leaves in a tree so he could measure properly, and then he painted those marks in the painting.
Peri Schwartz
This measuring process also might be related to to Ann Gale’s paintings, only she chooses not to have her image resolve.
My measured study (I think this was 40 minutes), vine charcoal on 90lb Arches coldpress paper, 4 pages glued to 56×40″ size
While somewhat frustrating to not “get it right” on the first round of marks, I felt this was a very fun game, and one I could play for a long time without getting bored. I also thought the effects of my measurements (the pentimenti) were beautiful. I thought they made the drawing more engaging, and gave the viewer pathways and interest points around the drawing. I did not want to stop drawing. It was such an enjoyable process, and unstoppable because it had not yet “resolved.” The only reason I did stop was because the models got up and walked away and they were locking up the building. Darnit.
[image_with_animation image_url=”9791″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Connie Pierson “Art Before/After” Today starts week 2 for the drawing challenge. Prizes are awarded weekly. A single post makes you eligible to win a prize. Take or make a picture of yourself before making art, take or make another photo after, and then post them to Instagram or …
Most League artists are busy people. You’re not the only one! I want to make these projects challenging but still accessible. If you miss a day, no biggie. If you miss two, join the club. If you can only do one out of 30, you still did one! Last I checked, one is way better …
[image_with_animation image_url=”9625″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] STARTS TODAY. Each day for the month of June I’ll post a creative challenge. Set your own goal for what you’d like to do. Follow the work on Facebook. Creativity is it’s own reward, but participants also enter to win League gift certificates. Does that help with motivation? PRIZES AWARDED WEEKLY: …
One year ago in March, to protect our students and teachers from a new coronavirus, the Seattle Artist League moved our classes online. The virus was declared a national emergency, and we went into quarantine. We have now been in quarantine for thirteen months. Through this year, we have met each other online to draw, …
Measured Marks
I’m in Portland, taking a 3-day figure drawing intensive with Fran O’Neill. Saturday was Day 2 of my intensive, and though about mid-day I was cranky, I ended the day on a high. I did not want to stop.
I learned a new way of drawing. Isn’t it thrilling that I can draw for so many years, and still learn something totally new. People underestimate the potential of drawing, I think. It’s just the same old burnt stick and paper, but the approach is new and interesting to my puzzle-loving brain.
In recent beginning figure drawing classes, I’ve been teaching League students how to draw with sight sizing, envelopes, construction lines, and what I call “straight line measures.”
Beginning Figure Drawing, student drawing
What I learned today is related to this process. I’ll call it a close cousin. In the hands of Giacometti, it might look like this:
Euan Uglow 1951-52
Antonio Lopez Garcia put white marks on fruit and leaves in a tree so he could measure properly, and then he painted those marks in the painting.
Peri Schwartz
This measuring process also might be related to to Ann Gale’s paintings, only she chooses not to have her image resolve.
My measured study (I think this was 40 minutes), vine charcoal on 90lb Arches coldpress paper, 4 pages glued to 56×40″ size
While somewhat frustrating to not “get it right” on the first round of marks, I felt this was a very fun game, and one I could play for a long time without getting bored. I also thought the effects of my measurements (the pentimenti) were beautiful. I thought they made the drawing more engaging, and gave the viewer pathways and interest points around the drawing. I did not want to stop drawing. It was such an enjoyable process, and unstoppable because it had not yet “resolved.” The only reason I did stop was because the models got up and walked away and they were locking up the building. Darnit.
More tomorrow!
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