Breaking the law

This is a 1 1/2 hour drawing from the same figure class/studio. Actually I broke from the group to work this piece, the model was to remain in another room while the students were to sketch her from memory. Frank wanted the students to "abstract" their drawings by blending multiple views and angles to the same drawing. I gave it a try but the light casting on the model was way to much of a draw for me, so I moved my easel into the same room and work on this drawing there.

The class did yield some interesting and well done pieces, however, I figure if I have a model to work from I should be able to "look" at the model while I'm drawing regardless of what style. Anyway, this is my attempt at an abstract figure, what do you think?

Figuratively Speaking

I like to do a little figure drawing from time to time. So I'm taking Frank Sheltons figure drawing class at The Roswell Visual Arts Center. I prefer open studio to class, but this is convenient and Frank allows me to do my own thang. Although our taste in art is probably a few miles a part, I do enjoy his enthusiasm and appreciation of artists in general.

Here are a few of my favorite drawings from class. I'm using Conte' crayons on 18" x 24" newsprint, pretty standard stuff. These are some of my 10 to 15 minute sketches. They always seem to me at least, better than my 20 to 30 minute drawings. Usually I can knock out the layout pretty quick. The shorter time periods prevent me from over working the drawing.

I feel drawing from life is quite important as is drawing in general. You can never perfect a drawing, but you can always improve your skill.

Slow Art

Sunday I went back to Oglethorpe U to see the Slow Art Exhibit again. Rachel hadn't seen it yet and was mildly upset with the fact that I'd turned down her request to go to the open (I confused this opening with another show that I really didn't care if I saw or not) only to chase down there alone one day while she was at work. I of course had absolutely no trouble dropping another five bucks to see it again (actually it was Rachel's treat ;-D ) We caught a guided geriatric tour midway when we first arrived and wished we had caught the tour from the beginning.

Slow Art, as the show was called, is supposedly part of the movement against the cult of speed engulfing American society... as someone informed me "there is a lot going on here..." I promise I will come back to both this show and topic again as this is my kind of visual art and as I do have several issues with the Slow movement and how it relates to contemporary realism. So for now...

Rhetorically Yours - cb

In the beginning

Another disaster...

...oh well, time to start painting again.