24th April 2012: Back after the break

[Descartes]

A whole month of since the last life drawing session, we started the term late as there wasn't enough people last week. First some shorter ones to warm up. A 5 minutes pose in charcoal followed by two continuous lines without looking at the paper (about 4 minutes each). I forgot Geo's suggestion of drawing very slowly and would have appreciated less time. These are all on A2 paper.



Then a drawing with the wrong hands, 5 minutes in conte, followed by just a basic drawing in charcoal a bit longer maybe 10 minutes.



The longer pose was more consistent (which is more than you could say about the light) than the warm ups. About 1 hour charcoal and a little charcoal pencil.



Thanks for looking

[Westside Figures]

Nathan, these are wonderful. Yes, you could slow down more on the blind contours but they are still evocative of hard concentrated looking. The long pose is wonderfully expressive. Maybe the contour practice contributed? Geo

[jjackm]

that first quickie charcoal has a life of its own.

[lovin art]

I Totally agree here Nathan .... i find that first one striking to my eyes... keep at it , what else is there but practice my friend...

[Descartes]

Thanks Geo. The short poses were very good warm up poses. The short poses were definitely good in focusing in what is important. With the long pose there was a key relationship between the face/portrait and hands to give a sense of contemplation. Hopefully I've caught some of that.

Its funny Jack, because I saw that as a problem. With the first charcoal I wanted the block of charcoal to represent a block of tone but it seemed to have a life of its own and describe lines outside that block. It so much easier with filbert brushes. Having said that it was an odd little pose where the model was leaning forwards and backwards at the same time (if that make sense) giving a lot of tension.

Thanks Sandra, my friend. They say practice makes perfect. It was quite sad during the break to hear the model was talking about giving up due to health problems. He's one of our most reliable models and always holds a pose well. I tried to concentrate on a portrait for the longer pose to give respect where it was due.

[lovin art]

I tried to concentrate on a portrait for the longer pose to give respect where it was due.

Nathan , I do like that long pose also, it conveys a kinda of thoughtful look .. I just felt the first seems full of energy to me even if it is hardly there and I feel that when an artist can accomplish that in a drawing then they are well worth in my eyes ! meaning wonderful ... and I dont know why but I seem to go on my inner feeling alot as an artist and I only speak for myself here observably ...I look at it this way ~ our brains are driven by what our eyes see and then feelings come into play regardless ... and of course learning along the way ..

[carolkay]

I love the contious lines without looking, It may have contributed and i know its good practice. Your long pose is to me elegantly done !!

what size are these.

[kirants]

Hi Nathan, if you continue in this manner, I won't be surprised to see one day that your wrong hand has become the right one and you'd have to switch your terminology Am super impressed. They are all cool, but the wrong hands drawing? Super duper

[Descartes]

Sandra thanks again. We're always learning.

Thanks Carol. The continuous line is an interesting exercise. These are all A2 in size: 23.4" x 16.5"

Kiran thanks. I find the non-dominant hand doesn't have much difference at the larger scale but is much less accurate with the details.

[bethanyt]

You have done an outstanding job here Nathan. Love the long pose- even more now I know the story of the model.
(These warmups at least make the later drawings feel much easier!)

[Descartes]

Thanks Bethany. Sometimes the warmups work better than longer pose maybe because you have less time to think and fiddle with things.

[Descartes]

Some clay from Thursday. Quite an interesting (and difficult) pose. 2 hours down, 4 to go.

[Lauren F-M]

Very nice work, Nathan!
That first one is special -- loose but also right-on.
I really like the last few longer ones of that man, too -- very sure and well done.

I must say, from what I've seen of your sculpture work, I think you really have a way with clay sculpture. I hope you will pursue it more, as you have a wonderful touch.

[Descartes]

Thanks Lauren. It's funny people like the first as I was struggling with the material (trying to get a flat surface to block in tone rather than the charcoal just touching at a couple of points). The clay was also a struggle in a good way: the overlapping arms and legs are challenging but should lead to an interesting final piece.

[Michaelmcg]

The long pose looks really good, Nathan.

Michael