Drawing From Life

 "The ability to draw from life determines the artist's skill.This is why live drawing classes have always been at the top of the curriculum for properly structured academic workshops."~ Igor Babailov “Drawing from photos is all well and good, but we also need to draw from life, because our brains process 2D and 3D information differently. Just like a musician practices the same piece of music over and over, if you want to improve as a fine artist, you must train in the same way.” ~ Sandy Sandy

See photos of my roly-poly subject and more about drawing from life here: https://www.sketchingeveryday.com/2021/06/everybuddy-needs-buddy.html

Learn how I do 2 minute gesture drawings in pencil from life here: https://www.learnlovecreate.com/drawing-lessons.html

Day 26 ~ SE-26-25 ✍️

Charge on!

"Our ability to grow is directly proportional

to an ability to entertain the uncomfortable." 

~ Twyla Tharp

Still feeling pretty rusty, but I spent the last couple

of days getting reacquainted with some old friends...

You Are A Rhinoceros ... Charge On!

And another go at the cardinal on the pine cone ....

You can see the reference shots of this figurine HERE.

Keep Sketching Everyone! 

It's all down hill from here ...

 Happy Creating,

Hugs,

THE CREATIVE HABIT

Today is the first Day of Summer Sketching 2019!
I just discovered an inspiring, author, philosopher and dancer, named Twyla Tharp. I am currently studying her book, 'The Creative Habit' and enjoying it very much; especially since I have decided to pursue The Creative Habit of Drawing Everyday again this summer!

I'm a bit rusty, but I drew 3 sets of 1/4 turn, 2 minute gestures this afternoon

and I feel pretty psyched!

Here's the first set with the reference shots, if you'd like to give it a try.

I'm putting together a short video explaining how I do this exercise and it will be
coming out soon. In the meantime, you can  go HERE to see photos and a detailed
explanation of the process.  Feel free to use these reference shots to do your own
drawings, if you want to. If you do, a mention, #Sketchingeveryday
(and a link if you are so inclined) is always appreciated!

"Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is a result of good work habits.
That's it in a nutshell ...
In order to be creative, you have to know how to prepare to be creative."

~ Twyla Tharp

 Happy Sketching and Creating,

Hugs, 

P.S. See a link to Twyla's book on Amazon in the side bar.

The Drawing Skill Diminishes

"Draw, as much and as often as you can.

When drawing lies fallow,

the skill diminishes."

~ Gene Black

I have not kept up my drawing everyday this summer like I had planned. It seems that the older I get, the harder it is to fit everything I need to do into a 16 - 18 hour day. Regardless of other obligations, there are really no excuses. I just didn't want it bad enough, because somehow, we make time for the things that really matter, the things that we really want to do.  

Although still sketching and drawing, it is not with the same intensity or commitment that was given to "drawing everyday" for seven summers in a row. Of course, to clarify, I was not teaching and giving demos regularly, involved in the local art center and town art walk, didn't have my own art gallery or have Instagram or an online course, wasn't contributing to online communities with videos, or obligated to stay on top of several websites and facebook accounts. Phew! OK, enough of that! I'm not feeling guilty anymore ....

BUT I do want to say that my skills are NOT up to par like they were when I was sketching more. If you can, it is well worth your time and effort to draw something everyday. Here's a couple of drawings from yesterday that aren't horrible, but they took a lot more time than expected.

Don't let my example sway your dedication to study drawing! Everybody feels awkward and fumbles around with it in the beginning. Even if you can draw, but have been delinquent in doing it for a while, it can make you feel downright inadequate and uncomfortable. But that's what growth is all about! Accept the challenge and enjoy the process. If you work through it, and dedicate some time everyday (as little as 15 - 30 minutes), I assure you, that drawing will become easier and more enjoyable the more you do it. (Scrolling through my blog archives here may help get you inspired.)

Thanks So Much for Stopping By & Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

Sketching Is Your Identity, Your Style, Your Conviction

"Sketching is almost everything.

It is the painter's identity, her style, her conviction.

The color is just a gift to the drawing."

~ F. Botero

Small figurines that you love, make great models for quick gesture drawings.

If you go through the archives here, you'll see many versions of these little guys.

You'll  never get tired of drawing your favorite things,

because when you sketch and paint what you love, it shows!

If you are strapped for time, just do one set of 2 minute gestures everyday.

You'll be surprised how much even that little bit will help!

This shows you how I set up my little model for this sketching Session.

Some Tips on Drawing two minute gestures from life.:

• When drawing small objects, it helps to get the item closer to eye level, so I set them up on a box or a large coffee can.

• It also helps to isolate the subject with a solid colored background.

• Closing one eye often helps if you are having difficulty.

• When drawing, try to keep your body and head in the same position or your view will change.

• Prop your drawing pad up at an angle. Use a Beanie Baby, or something similar.

• Squint to see large shapes as you start to draw quickly.

• Hold your pencil **In position One like a wand (**Like you were conducting an orchestra) It's the complete opposite position from **position Two  - the position we use to write our name.

Position One For Sketching

Position Two For Details

• Block in large shapes **In position One. Use the side of the pencil. Look at negative space. Make comparisons. Work fast.

• Then, if you still have time, turn the pencil to *position Two  and add a few details.

• You can see a short video on sketching gestures and how to hold your pencil here.

Follow this link for more tips on how to go about doing these quick gestures. http://www.sketchingeveryday.com/…/in-starting-gate-and-the…  The brain processes 3D objects differently than when viewing flat, 2D reference. Drawing from photos is good practice too, but there are some real benefits to to starting off sketching studies with drawing from life!

 

"Sketching is like dancing. It's process as much as product.

You can turn your head off and just sort of dissolve into the now."

~ M. Crabapple

Happy Creating My Friends!

X ♥  O

 

You Are A Rhinoceros ... Charge On!

"Your life is like a river.

Keep the water flowing

and you will be refreshing,

life-giving, clear and beautiful."

~ Scott Robert Alexander.

"You are a rhinoceros!

There is nothing you cannot tackle."

 

Many years ago, I read an awesome little book called:

  Rhinoceros Success

 by Scott Robert Alexander

see more about it here ...

Some Pony Love

"All horses deserve, at least once in their lives, 

to be loved by a little girl."

~ Author Unknown

 

  

"No heaven can heaven be, 

if my horse isn't there to welcome me." 

~ Author Unknown

Beanie Baby Pony Drawing

"You don't have to be young to find comfort in a stuffed animal."

"In a world where everyone seems to be larger 

and louder than yourself,

it is very comforting to have 

a small, quiet companion."
-Peter Gray

Embrace Your Second Wind

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind 

to find out they've got a second."  

~ William James 


"Difficult things take a long time, impossible things a little longer." 

~ André A. Jackson

My hummingbirds are zooming around in full throttle here and already fattening up and training for their long upcoming journey. For this summer's hatchlings, it will be their maiden voyage and probably the most dangerous one ever. They've got a lot to learn and many hundreds of miles to maneuver and survive through until they come back to me next spring. You can see a couple of short recent videos on my facebook page here.

I love hummingbirds and they continue to fascinate and inspire me.

They are a strong symbol to me of enthusiastically accomplishing that which seems impossible.

Just Keep On Going

"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, 

all things are attainable." 

 ~Thomas Foxwell Buxton

 

"Success seems to be largely a matter of 

hanging on after others have let go." 

~ William Feather

Stick-To-Itiveness

"There is no telling how many miles 

you will have to run while 

chasing a dream." 

~ Author Unknown

"Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over." 

 ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Ugly Duckling

"The ugly duckling is a misunderstood universal myth. 

It's not about turning into a blonde Barbie doll or 

becoming what you dream of being; 

it's about self-revelation, 

becoming who you are. "

~ Baz Luhrmann

Almost every paining I do, goes through that awkward (ugly duckling) adolescent stage.

I have learned to just keep going however, because when you quit, you cease to grow and even if

the piece does not turn out well, the lessons learned are invaluable.

The ugly duckling is a misunderstood universal myth. It's not about turning into a blonde Barbie doll or becoming what you dream of being; it's about self-revelation, becoming who you are. Baz Luhrmann
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/bazluhrman509247.html

The ugly duckling is a misunderstood universal myth. It's not about turning into a blonde Barbie doll or becoming what you dream of being; it's about self-revelation, becoming who you are. Baz Luhrmann
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/bazluhrman509247.html

The ugly duckling is a misunderstood universal myth. It's not about turning into a blonde Barbie doll or becoming what you dream of being; it's about self-revelation, becoming who you are. Baz Luhrmann
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/bazluhrman509247.html

Value Sketches

"Known by most of us as value sketches, 

most of us are too lazy to do them, yet

we know they can strengthen our work." 

~ Lorna Dockstader

 

"It's impossible to make a picture without values. 

Values are the basis of any 2D work of art." 

~ W. M. Hunt

On Teaching Drawing

"On teaching drawing...
Start lightly, then go dark." 

~ Peter William Brow

"Value (or the use of light) is our best ally as an artist. 

 Don't think for a minute this is not in your control." 

~ Steve Childs

Edges and Values

"Edges must be held by tone values, not lines." 

~ A. C. Leighton

"Make the mid-value shape the biggest one 

and make the light and dark shapes smaller, 

but never equally sized. 

One or the other should dominate." 

~ Ron Ranson

A Fun Game

"If you slightly squint your eyes, you will see 

that at least 2 and possibly 3 values of color 

make up any object in the natural world. 

Practice creating entire paintings with 

no more than 3 values on any object. 

Paint a few of those and you'll discern a rhythm 

between areas of 1, 2 and 3 values. It's a fun game." 

~ Cristina Acosta

Practice Exercises

"Don't be afraid to draw or paint the same thing over and over!"

Learn from a good musician or athlete, because
 "repetition is the key to mastery"!!

~ Sandy Sandy

 See more about how to do these quick ¼ turn gestures here.

Draw, Refine, Repeat

"If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, 

it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." 

~ Michelangelo

  One of many sketches I did for last weekend's "Paint Your Pony" Playshop here ... 

"There is always more to be found by exploring the same subject again and again." ~ Dion Archibald

Cultivate Patience

Cultivate patience in your heart and you will improve. 

Learn to see well and your hand will become sure." 

~ Charles Philip Brooks 

Today's model

2 minute gesture with watercolor wash

 "Growth is a spiral process, doubling back on itself, 

reassessing and regrouping."

 ~ Julia Cameron

Personal Growth Is A Choice

"The strongest principle of growth 

lies in human choice." 

~ George Eliot 

Our model for today's 2 minute,  ¼ turn gestures ...

2 minute,  ¼ turn gestures

Repeat As Needed ... 

"Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.

 Our subconscious mind does not need the details."

~ Emile Coue