A bit of drawing therapy
Posted: May 6, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 19 CommentsI had a bit of a bad start to my sketching session today. My drawing was all tight, restrained and dried out — little chicken scratches instead of flowing lines. Partly because I’m due for a trip to the art supply store to replace my Micron drawing pens that have no nibs left. As an exercise in loosening up I took out a big fat pen that did have some ink left in it and I drew this church in the loosest way possible, scribbling away and making a huge mess. It was physiotherapy for my drawing hand and it served its purpose by getting rid of that stiffness. When I felt better I tossed it aside and then did my painting.
I love the way it looks like you just tossed a few colours down – Love it!!
That’s the hard part Dianna — making it look like you just tossed them down!
This looks great! The slightly off-centre placing, the limited colours, the roof and bell tower softening into the sky and that broken edge at the bottom… all work so well.
But such a shame… you actually needed to do a couple of preparatory sketches to do such a fine painting. Welcome to the real world, Shari… this is the way everyone else has to work if they want to produce paintings of this quality! 🙂
Do you think this is the first bad sketch I have done? I could fill a book with bad sketches, or maybe make a new blog just for those.
Thank you… it is very encouraging to hear that you don’t have it quite as easy as it sometimes looks from this side of the blog.
Terrific job at turning a bad day into a stunning sucess – blue and gold all the way!
Thanks Charlin. Yes, blue and gold. Sounds like a school flag!
wonderful ! I really like the trailing out mid section of the facade – i always feel compeled to ground buildings – your trattment is far more interesting.
Thanks John. I usually do what you do too but it was part of my “loosening up” day.
Two colours only :: really works for moi!
Since I am fascinated by sketches, esp. preparatory sketches, it would be neat to see the “before & after” that you reference in the description. The final image looks fantastic, which of course was your point. You got all the kinks out, and then finalized the painting. I, for one, would love to see the kinks, though, too. The “scribbling and huge mess” description sounds familiar. 🙂
Ok Bethann. I will post both next time that happens. I’m sure you saw Marc’s post with his three versions of a painting.
Yes, I did. That is one of the reasons I thought of mentioning it. The before/after comparison could also assuage the angst of some viewers r.e. the apparant ease of a “simple” painting. 🙂
I have a hard time posting something that I find unsuccessful Bethann. Although Brittain Hall, which I posted yesterday, was pretty awful. So in the future I will try to let you see both successes and failures.
Shari,
That is 100% your call. I think it’s just the teacher in me – I personally enjoy viewing the process. I appreciate you even considering it. I wouldn’t want you to feel the least bit obligated. There is a place for comparison posts, and after all, it’s your work. 🙂
Thanks Bethann. Well there is teacher in me too so I understand what you are saying. There is also graphic designer in me and that side never shows work to clients that I am not completely satisfied with because they may decide to use it. So there’s the dichotomy.
Ha ha! I totally understand that aspect, too! I do design work, and am actually currently working on a face lift for my blog. I can fully relate to the hesitation to unveil something that isn’t ready (in my humble opinion). 🙂
Just beautiful!
Thank you!!