Cisco Drawing
Well folks, Sometimes what you have been seeing in paintings sticks with your brain and shows up in your work. Hopefully, when this happens it happens with an authentic energy that makes the essence of what you observed become your own and show up in a personal form. I am into all things energetic…. it’s everywhere. I love noticing it and riding those waves to tap into what I am seeking for that day… a feeling, a skills use, or an effect…. you get it…
My puppy Cisco is slightly older than 1 year and has the coolest personality coming through and I was delighted it showed up in a drawing I did of him last week.
What got me there was sorting through the paper I’d collected and being picky about what I felt like using that day. I had also recently stocked up on willow and vine charcoal and got lucky that all the pieces I had purchased were accurate in their hardnesses. I sharpened everything and organized it on a table the day before…. and you guessed it, being prepped let the drawing time truly take place.
Here is the progression. And if I can link it I’ll share the french musician I was listening to for the piece.
1 Start broad
- Begin with a rough envelope block in of the entire form and then move forward once you have drawn lines around the “exterior” of your form. Use soft mediums and light lines so that as you determine your interior shapes that will truly dictate the entire form you can get rid of envelop lines.
-Follow up by looking for big shapes, and blocking them in the same way you did the exterior shape. Be soft still and remember to squint
- Add a bit of mass to help you check for the overall impression and accuracy you would personally like to express.
2 Darks & Shapes
- Be as concious as possible while you are looking for shapes and the quality of shape edges , and think like a painting is being created. Remember you are NOT photo printer this is about how you are experiencing the subject and how you are seeing the light.
- experiment with how you can hold and use various edges of your tool/medium to create the feeling you see in particular areas of the form.
Focal Area
- Be selective as you go so you maintain the feeling you got at the start of the drawing. This will keep the drawing feeling fresh and avoid “overworking” certain areas.
- If you recognize anything, remember to celebrate! This will balance out the inner critic and allow you to have the bravery to change areas you might be
hesitant to change yet truly they need to be edited.
- Take a break and ask if you have the feel you intended and be sure to stop when you answer yes!
Have a lovely weekend, Laura