A Little Life in My Drawings

"I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing."
Vincent van Gogh 

I have finally, FINALLY, found a life drawing group! I drive 1 hour south of the Bay of Islands once a week, to draw. That's how much I miss being surrounded by artists and getting my hands dirty with charcoal and graphite. Life drawing is one of the few activities that makes me lose track of time. Those who know me, are well aware that I have the attention span of a gnat. Yet, when I have a pencil in my hand and a model before me, I am so focused that I am only aware of time going by when my back starts getting achy.

I'm still finding my way back around curves and lines, but the process is as familiar as it is comfortable.

The Human Figure

What we need is more sense of the wonder of life, and less of the business of making a picture. (Robert Henri)   

Robert Henri's "The Art Spirit", is a book I often pick up and read at random. I feel as though I found a kindred spirit in a man who lectured and wrote about art in the early 1900's... There is this dicotomy in how he views life and art - a certain childlike wonder that comes through as profound wisdom... hard to beat that!

What draws me into my studio? A sure-fire thing, is to have a model, bits of charcoal, a few sheets of paper, (it can be cheap cartridge paper or a delicious piece of BFK Rives, no matter). The human figure is the single most inspiring thing for me to paint or draw. Robert Henri says it perfectly when he states:

There has never been a painting that was more beautiful than nature. The model does not unfold herself to you, you must rise to her. She should be the inspiration for your painting. No [artist] has ever over-appreciated a human being.   

The two drawings above are from a commission I have just completed. Soon, I'll be moving studios, I look forward to a new space (above ground) with good northern light... 

 

A Bit More Life Drawing

A few more images...
from the past couple of sessions
2 models

Life Drawing in January

Here are some examples of the sessions I've done in January - I'm trying to decide on a couple of them that I'd like to develop for the March Group show at On-Canvas... Another session or two, and perhaps I'll be able to decide.

Simple lines

The challenges of the male body

A quick sketch

Standing Still

Interesting Pose

The Human Body

Looking through an old portfolio filled with sketches from life drawing sessions from the past 3 or so years.... sigh. I am looking for a good group to join here in Victoria to get back into it - I love drawing the human figure.

"There is nothing in all the world more beautiful or significant of the laws of the universe than the nude human body."

(Robert Henri)

I am at a crossroads with my art, trying to figure out how to incorporate my love of interpreting the human figure in my works and my fairly recent leanings toward abstract art - my instincts want me to blend the two - but I am not sure how to go about it.... how to find a place where my skill level does the figure work justice and my love of abstract form and colour finds its place...

"When we respect the nude, we will no longer have any shame about it." (Robert Henri)

I have used this sketch for a painting I have since sold... It feels very peaceful...

This model, is a natural - she started modeling quite recently and I was amazed at her ability to remain so still. Her graceful lines and gentleness of spirit are an inspiration for me.

This model was lovely - I would have liked to draw her more - my women's drawing group up-island had a wonderful variety of models, some regulars and the occasional surprise.

A first-time model, I was pretty happy with this session because I usually struggle more with male figures.

I did this one in Art School - I quite liked the model - she was spunky and creative.

There has never been a painting that was more beautiful than nature. The model does not unfold herself to you, you must rise to her. She should be the inspiration for your painting. No man has ever over-appreciated a human being. (Robert Henri)