life drawing

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Sneak Peak – Lumps and Bump Shadows

The geeeeeeeorgeous model we had last life drawing class came back AND her body still did not have the lumps and bumps to match the drawings. So I focused on shadows.  

These are all 5 minute charcoal sketches.

Unfinished but good enough . . charcoal

 

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Sneak Peek – Nude No More

I was soooooo frrrrrrustrated in the last two life drawing class . . . the models were clothed . . .  sensuous lines of flesh, shadows high-lighting skin tones replaced by FABRIC . . . arrrrrrgh.

Two different poses – charcoal sketches on same paper

I pretended they were naked . . . 

Conte Crayon, 2 minute sketch
Charcoal, 2 minute sketch  (my favorite)

UNTIL I COULD PRETEND NO MORE .

Pencil drawing on back of cereal box 

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Sneak Peek into my Sketchy Life

Hadn’t been to life drawing class in over a month and now with my “foot in a sling” there are no nudes – other than Freddie –  in my immediate future.  These are the last few quickies.

Here are 10-minute sketches that are “printable”.

The next is what a typical one-minute warm-up looks like.  

The aim is to get the “attitude” or the “gesture” as there’s no time for details.

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Sneak a Peek into my Sketchy Life – CheeriOs

Waste not want not.  More sketches on the inside cardboard of cereal boxes.

Model wore a mask and tulle ruff around his neck – it was as weird as it looks!

Charcoal, 15 minute sketch

Naked Mole Rat sez: “Eating all that cereal to save money on drawing paper . . . No wonder she can’t lose weight.”

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Sneek a Peek at my sketchy life – Humbly Yours

In my teen years it was not “cool” to admit you did anything well, much less brag. You were suppose to be humble.  It seems times have not changed.  When I admire someone’s drawing in art class the usual response is to point out why it’s not very good and point out all the mistakes they made.  Is this humility?

We all are probably our own worst critics but I was wondering where the origins of this denying of our accomplishments comes from.   There are many students in class who have immigrated from other countries – Germany, China, Latvia, Vietnam, Korea – and at first I chalked it up to cultural norms.  However, the students native to the United States downplay or outright devalue their accomplishments too.

Is this false humility? Inability to celebrate our accomplishments?  Embarrassment?  

Charcoal, green pencil, water-color pencil – 15 – 20 minute sketches

Having posted my journey in life drawing classes  I can see where it’s not working and I can see my progress.  So I try to squelch my own inclination to negate a compliment and just say thank you.

Do you have trouble receiving a compliment?  . . . and why?

 

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Sneak a Peek into my Sketchy Life – Venus

The first international Women’s day was celebrated in 1908.  A group of 15,000 women marched on New York streets, demanding their rights. Every year on 8th March the world joins in to support, raise, inspire and motivate women across all fields of work. The purpose of this day is to focus on themes such as innovation, portrayal of women in the media, or the importance of education and career opportunities. 

The official logo of International Women’s Day is the symbol of Venus.  

My “Venus”.

Charcoal, 20 minute sketch

 

Charcoal 10 minute sketch each figure

http://www.womensdaycelebration.com/international-womens-day.html

Here’s to the Venus in all of us

#MakeItHappen
#womensday
#IWD2015
#internationalwomensday
#PaintItPurple

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Sneeeeeek Peek into my sketchy thinking

There were no art classes – because of the holiday – for over a week.  For some unexplained reason I began to wonder why I was taking drawing classes.  Previous to retirement the only “extra-curricular” activities I did had a purpose – professional enrichment, teaching others, meeting requirements etc.  I have no desire (we won’t talk about talent) to exhibit or sell nude drawings . . .  For some reason, simply seeking personal enjoyment seemed strange at best and hollow at worst.  

I’m still not sure why my disquiet and only share it wondering if you, too, have questioned just doing something simply for self-enjoyment?

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This model was known for his muscular, regal bearing.  He has lost weight and thee is a vulnerability that wasn’t apparent before.

20 Minute sketch, conte crayon

10 minute sketch, charcoal

20 minutes sketch, charcoal