Walking the line

[azulparsnip]

nice drawing , the enjoyment and relaxation is abundantly evident

[seejay]

Originally Posted by azulparsnip

nice drawing , the enjoyment and relaxation is abundantly evident

Thanks a lot for your comments. I do find these enjoyable and relaxing (most of the time), getting lost in the process. A good drawing is a bonus not the goal of these exercises.

Cheers

[speedbump1]

Wow, that is some great work. Thanks.

[seejay]

Originally Posted by speedbump1

Wow, that is some great work. Thanks.

Thanks for that, I appreciate it.

Cheers

[seejay]

These exercises continue to amuse me for now....which is good! Please excuse my indulgence.

I'm starting to add cross contour lines, and next to come are quick contour and gesture drawings. These exercises come from a number of sources including books by Robert Kaupelis and Kimon Nicolaides. Where they lead I don't know, but so far I'm enjoying the ride. Trying not to get bored, so probably not digging deep enough with these...but, I think doing something is better than doing none at all.

Here are a couple of pages with quick sketches - one page of five minute sketches, and the other I forgot to start the timer, so the lot took about 30 minutes.

Cheers

[seejay]

Two more modified contours where I look mainly at the subject but take peeks to place new contours, and sometimes redraw a wayward line.

1. In the garden


2. Self-portrait in mirror - with gratuitous background filled in after. (Also, quick shading in the eyes, they looked even stranger with nothing.)


Cheers

[She-She]

These are really good Chris. It sure keeps the mind & hands working. I do some sketching at work just to pass the time, I just don't think they are good enough to post on here, but maybe I'll start & rethink that.

[seejay]

Originally Posted by She-She

These are really good Chris. It sure keeps the mind & hands working. I do some sketching at work just to pass the time, I just don't think they are good enough to post on here, but maybe I'll start & rethink that.

Thanks Sheila. I like looking into sketchbooks so post away! Don't worry about that "good enough" stuff either....

Cheers

[seejay]

A couple more modified contours from my cluttered desk. Maybe doing too much looking at the drawing at times, need to do a couple of blind ones again...



Cheers

[dolors]

Thank you for sharing Chris. I will read the whole post carefully because it is very instructive. Your drawings are vey good.

[seejay]

Hi Dolors. I'm not sure what you will learn here, but thanks for looking.

Cheers

[virgo68]

Chris, I love these! They are lively and interesting - my style is to strive for realism (which can become boring and laboured), but I think there is a place for these types of drawings too. Do you feel that the practise is helping you to "see" things with a fresh eye? I love the self portrait - it almost has a "nervous" energy about it?!

[seejay]

Thanks Jackie. I draw for my own enjoyment - when I started I also went for "realism", whatever that means, and got seriously bored! Starting to use sketchbooks and working from life (99.9% of the time) returned the fun for me. I love seeing these types of sketches myself; as you say there can be an energy about them, not to mention memories of events and places. These are not everyone's cup of tea of course.

Seeing with a fresh eye? I do find myself looking at things more intently, which may explain some of the plain subjects I will sketch. Not sure how it will translate when I feel the urge to do a more finished drawing / painting.

Cheers

[seejay]

Not sure about that last post now I look at it again. I want to draw and paint representational work, but need to develop the skills and knowledge to do it with the right mix of suggestion and detail. Also, my 99.9% from life figure (honestly, I just made it up!) is too high because it doesn't count exercises using photos or other drawings etc. You get that on these big jobs.

Cheers

[seejay]

Still having fun, but I need to get this back to daily practice. Hope these don't scare anyone!