May 2015 Sketches

Blusher Brush in a Hobbit Glass
4 May 2015
Graphite Pencil
Winsor & Newton A5 Heavy Weight Sketch Book
14.8cm x 21.0cm (5.78" x 8.25")

Recently, Heather asked if I enjoy drawing. The answer is definitely yes, but this is a good question and one I need to remember to ask for myself.

Angel Cat
7 May 2015
Graphite Pencil
Winsor & Newton A4 Heavy Weight Sketch Book
21.0cm x 29.7cm (8.25" x 11.75")

There are highs and lows in my enthusiasm and the challenge of drawing on every day in 2015 isn't about immediate gratification, but yes I enjoy drawing.

Some days, when I am feeling the pressure of work, I might set out to do a quick sketch just to get a tick in the box for drawing that day, but usually these become enjoyable and engrossing. The concentration of drawing is just what I need to get over the stresses of the day.

The paradox is I enjoy the act of drawing, but I don’t find it relaxing. There is the stress of wanting to do something well and complete concentration is mentally tiring. The relaxation comes afterwards. The absolute focus on a subject clears the mind of all distractions.

Peace Lilly
3 May 2015
Graphite Pencil
Winsor & Newton A5 Heavy Weight Sketch Book
14.8cm x 21.0cm (5.78" x 8.25")

Recently I have been experimenting with the three pass sketching approach Marc Taro Holmes  (Citizen Sketcher) describes in The Urban Sketcher. The first pass is scribbled in pencil to work out the basic structure, the second pass is a calligraphic line drawing  in ink (I am using biro) and the third pass is the addition of solid black shadows/shapes (I am using a brush pen).

Nelson
26 May 2015
Graphite Pencil
Winsor & Newton A5 Heavy Weight Sketch Book
14.8cm x 21.0cm (5.78" x 8.25")

The resulting drawings remind me of drawings from projects A and B in Keys to Drawing - Chapter 7 and the Analysis of Reproductions from the Natural Way to Draw.

Marc acknowledges the three pass sketches may have too much contrast to suit everyone’s taste, but he stresses their importance as a training exercise for learning how to see and depict the grouped darker shapes in a picture.

Figurine
27 May 2015
Graphite Pencil
Winsor & Newton A5 Heavy Weight Sketch Book
14.8cm x 21.0cm (5.78" x 8.25")

One thing that continues to amaze me is how little information our brains need to interpret a drawing as a solid object. Graduated shading may look nice, but overlapping shapes and stark contrast seems to be enough to convey three dimensionality.

Nelson is a sculpture by Joanne Cooke

Angel Cat is a sculpture Marie Prett