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,

Let Creativity Become Your Habit

"When creativity has become your habit;

when you've learned to manage time, resources,

expectations, and the demands of others; 

when you understand the value and place of 

validation, continuity, and purity of purpose, 

then you're on the way to an artist's ultimate goal;

the achievement of mastery."

~Twyla Tharp

June 2, 2019

June 3 + 4, 2019

I used the same models on June 3rd & 4th last year!

Happy Creating My Friends!

X ♥  O

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

 

Become Your Own Teacher and Best Friend

 ‘Creative activity could be described as a 

type of learning process where teacher and pupil 

are located in the same individual.’

~ Arthur Koestler

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.
•  
• Block in large shapes. Use the side of the pencil. Look at negative space. Make comparisons.
•  
• Then, if you still have time, turn the pencil to *position Two  and add a few details.

Follow the link in yesterday's blog post for how to go about doing these quick gestures. http://www.sketchingeveryday.com/…/in-starting-gate-and-the… You can also use my photos as reference to try the objects I drew from. All I ask is that you use the hashtag #DrawingEveryday and/ or a link back to this post or share directly from our facebook group.

This technique only requires limited supplies. I'm sure you can find ones in your arsenal to use. You can use my list as a guide though. http://www.sandysandyfineart.com/watercolor-supplies.html Please post any drawings you want here. I will post a weekly challenge when I get more organized. In the meantime, I'd like people to practice drawing from life, because drawing from life uses different "muscles" than drawing from a photo does. The brain processes 3D objects differently than when viewing flat, 2D reference. We'll also be drawing from photos, but I think there are some real benefits to to start off with drawing from life.

Happy Creating My Friends!

X ♥  O