Life…drawing

I started life drawing at the beginning of the year. Was interrupted by an accident and the school holidays for about 3 months. It’s nearly two hours of untaught drawing, with the first half given to quick (4 or 5 minutes), very quick (1 minute) and even 30 second poses to warm us up. It is the time to experiment and I have tried out all sorts of different drawing mediums; pencil, charcoal, brush pens, soluble graphite pencils… We have some great models, and wonderful cakes provided by the teacher (you can ask for help, and she will proffer suggestions). The second half is usually a couple of longer poses (20 minutes) for even a very long pose (40 minutes).

This is Kaz. She has red hair.

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Sky and land

Two sketches of the south Downs…

Work…

My partner and I have an old (very large) wooden boat that we (he) are restoring. I recently had a bad fall and have a broken wrist, nose and teeth… which prevents me from doing much. But I can (just about) draw. So here are two quick sketches of him sanding part of the hull – which I had washed! The paint in the background was already on the paper – and aborted attempt of something.

Life… drawing

Not been doing much watercolour recently. Life has very much got in the way. I’ve not felt able to commit to any regular classes or courses but I have found a drop-in life drawing class which I can do every couple of weeks. We have an untutored session – though the lady who runs it is an art teacher – and will help if asked – or if you are struggling. She arranges the models, and, as important (!) some great biscuits or cake each time – all home-made! Yum!

We do a series of quick drawings for the first half – sometimes 30 seconds – anything up to 5 or 7 minutes. These are challenging but are designed to warm us up and get us going. Then we do a couple of longer poses up to 20 minutes.

I’ve just taken some photos of these and can now see the ‘problem’ areas. I draw with a board on my lap and resting on a chair in front – so getting a look from a distance is impossible! They are A3 size.

I may try watercolour on these longer poses – even more of a challenge!

A new start…

Having organised, and now completed, a really, really successful art exhibition & sale for a local hospital charity which took up so much time I am trying to get back into painting. The exhibition and sale involved nearly 300 artists (both professional and amateur) and over 500 works of art! Really interesting project to do though – so much talent around!

I haven’t been totally uncreative though and have been going to life drawing – challenging! – every fortnight. But at last I have got down an idea I’ve had bubbling through my head for a while.

New paper… old brush…

I’m testing watercolour papers for a (charity) project I am going organising for the new year which will involve lots of different artists. I want to send them a piece of paper (maybe) and so am trying some out. This particular paper is very like Khadi paper but is Jackson’s Eco paper. Very rough – look at the scan! Quite a white paper and heavy, takes water well without buckling. I really like it.

Next will be some Sanders Waterford – which when I look at it strikes me as very flat now!

Anyone got a favourite watercolour paper. I find it does make a huge different to the end result.

New paper… new brush….

Bought (probably rather too many) some sheets of very rough paper as an experiment… Couldn’t get a straight line but I suspect my washes were too thin. Next time try thicker…

Lovely squirrel brush though.