I turned a corner this week with my sketching, and feel like I made real progress. The best part is, I am really enjoying drawing now. Not only is it much easier now, but I also really like the results.
The previous week I mostly drew people from behind, which is a great way to start when drawing figures. This week I started drawing people in profile and from the front, as well as people sitting. I also graduated from using other people’s sketches as a reference, to using photographs. Using sketches is a good place to start, as you can see where to put the marks. Photos are slightly harder, but the results are more original. My favourite thing is drawing friends and family.
I am aware that illustration could be a distraction at the moment, so I am being disciplined in my approach to keep moving my drawing forward, so I can use it in my figurative paintings. I’m so thrilled with my progress so far, and feel very hopeful for the paintings I have in mind.
Below are just some of the many the sketches I did this week.
After 3 frustrating weeks at my self-imposed drawing school, I finally turned a corner this week. Not only am I enjoying drawing, but I am starting to like the results. A few changes helped facilitate my new found enjoyment.
I switched from pencil to pen, which means no more fussing about lines, and rubbing out the ones I don’t like. Once a line is down, that’s it, I have to live with it. This alone makes drawing more relaxing and enjoyable, plus, I think errant lines add to the character of a drawing.
I switched from using other people’s sketches as a reference to using photographs. While using sketches is a great place to start (as you can see where to put individual lines), there’s no satisfaction in the result, because the drawing is not really yours.
Once I began drawing from photographs I was able to start drawing friends and family, which makes me very happy.
One of the people I love to draw the most is my mum, I think because her lovely personality comes out in the drawings.
Sitting in the gardenOff to see AngelaEnjoying a pub meal
Of all the drawings I did this week, my favourite is of my fella when he won the Isle of Man Field Archery Championship. Sure I made him 6’3″, but I think I did a pretty good job nonetheless.
Since my corner-turn, I can’t stop drawing. All my sketch pads are filling up, and when I walk down the street, I keep seeing people I’d like to draw. It’s such a relief that I actually enjoy drawing, as well as show some aptitude for it, as it would be impossible to make the paintings I have in mind without it. I have big plans for my drawing, so I still have a long way to go, but the progress I made this week makes me hopeful. Of course, the biggest win is that I enjoy it.
bexODESSA 