Sketching Again

New Shoes
7 May 2014
Graphite Pencil
Daler Rowney A6 Graduate Sketchbook
149 x 105mm (5.9 x 4.1 inches)

I've started drawing again after a 3 week break to try and recover from the RSI (repetitive strain injury) that has developed in my hands and forearms.

My first sketch was a couple of studies of some snapdragons (antirrhinums) in our back garden.

Snapdragons
6 May 2014
Graphite Pencil
Daler Rowney A6 Graduate Sketchbook
105 x 149mm (4.1 x 5.9 inches)

For this first sketch, I drew a rough gesture study and then focused on Contour Drawing. The flower was out of direct sunlight, so there was no light and shade pattern. The shading on the flower is primarily to describe the form. I could have taken this modelling further and may try another flower study this week.

The drawing of the walking shoe was a different experience. This time my focus was on accurate proportions, angles and alignments. My goal was to draw a shoe in which all the elements were convincingly lined up and proportioned.  I was ready to spend the full 30 minutes working on this, but in the end, I had some time left over for some contour drawing and modelling.

For the next few weeks, I am going to reduce the amount of time I spend drawing, painting and blogging. The symptoms of the RSI are reducing, but the physiotherapist says it could take months to recover and there is always the danger of relapse. Drawing doesn't seem to cause problems, but I don’t think it is giving my hands and arms the rest they need after a day of working on a computer.  Until I am recovered, I am going to focus less on following exercises from books and more on drawing and painting for pure enjoyment.