Monday, February 18, 2008

some life drawing



I did these last year in a workshop with Ian de Souza. All poses were incredibly quick .. a couple of minutes mostly, and we were encouraged to work loosely and instinctively, thinking of yin and yang, the 'essence' of the pose, light and shadow.
It was all very hard work. I had these pinned on my drawing board, so I think they were the ones I felt happiest with. I must go back and look at the rest.
I have posted them to remind myself that in my earnest desire to draw acceptable images for the blog, I am producing really laboured, tight little drawings, and I really find loose, free work so much more satisfying.
Having said that, I'd love to get the anatomy spot-on, first time, no labouring!

5 comments:

Cathy Gatland said...

Life drawing is such very hard work, but so absorbing and satisfying when you do capture a pose 'effortlessly' - I doubt it is effortless for most of us! You've got the legs and pose beautifully in the top one, with a few strokes and dashes. I hope to get to my local rec. centre again soon, where they have a model, no teaching though, once a week. 'Africantapestry' had a good post recently on a life class she went to, with very good advice from her teacher.

Gillian said...

I love these Viv. I don't think we have models who do this in Sugar Land, though! (I'm having a serious giggle here... ;D Reminds me of a conversation I had with an old lady in our church re. the statue of David! I'm sure I've told you both. Will repeat it in an email if necessary...) I'll have to try loose sketches from OTHER people's paintings of life!

Vivienne said...

Oh dear. You get so absorbed you really forget the whole modesty thing. After doing life classes once, I saw a lady on the (normal, non-nudie) beach who was cavorting about in the altogether. I hardly noticed! But was with Dad who nearly had a fit!Should I remove these from blog do you think?

Cathy Gatland said...

I bet there are life classes in Sugarland, or nearby anyway - Houston being the 'art capital' of the States, I read somewhere once... do look at Katherine Tyrrell's last two posts too at www.makingamark.blogspot.com , all about this and links to other 'lifer' sites. I think one must stand tall against Paragons of Virtue... there's nothing unseemly about life drawing!

Gillian said...

Dear CPG & VPP - I'm NOT suggesting that you remove anything! Simply commenting on the place I live in - the most conservative in the entire country! (I'm not making this up; I heard this on the news.) This is the land of artificial flower wreathes and Monet reprints.
Yes, if I moved into the Rice Village area, the Museum District - it will be quite different. And I'd find a life drawing class or two, not doubt! But then I'd have to fight the traffic! Enjoy where you are and what you've been able learn from those wonderful teachers. They're here too, just harder for me to find and get to...