Today I challenged myself by grabbing some colored pencils and pastels that I don't like. I drew my foot and it was really enjoyable.
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I decide to get into my studio today and start a diptych painting that I've contemplated for several years. 1) I start by preparing my panels using many layers of gesso and power sanding. 2) At the same time I play with some sketches and studies. At first I like using a black background, but since have thought of keeping it white. I'm still vacillating on this. I need to decide this soon, for I want to paint them upside down so that the drips run OVER the background. 3) I scan the photo reference and then remove the black background with Photoshop. 4) Then I resize the finished scans and print them out. 5) Then I lay them out on my panels to get a feel for the placement. 6) Next I cut out the legs and assemble them as one piece. 7) I decide to start another painting as a test. So I start with a drawing. Tonight's model was Inky, who I've drawn in the past. Her poses are always dynamic and energetic. I really do not like the first drawing because of the uncomfortable frustration I experienced.
Today the sun was coming into my apartment so beautifully and so I grabbed some pencils, pastels, and an oilbar. I drew my own hand and I'm fairly happy with the results.
I decided to tackle this drawing that I previous drew to see if I could integrate the top and bottom. I'm not sure if I improved it or not. Any thoughts?
The model for this session was named Veronique. I really loved the shape of her body, but somewhat struggled to relax tonight. I enjoy drawing Christopher because he has excellent contraposes and brings interesting energy to his stances. I am fairly pleased with several of the drawings, however there is problems with the final foot drawing. The top and bottom of the sketch are incongruous, but I may try to work on it again to see if I can pull it together.
I made this card for my mother's birthday using watercolors and graphite on vellum paper. After it was drawn, I pasted it onto a blank recycled card I got from Scrap Reuse Center.
Today was perfectly warm and I went to my studio, wherein spent some time sketching a dissected leg on a prepared panel. Afterwards, I set up a space to begin painting, but could not find a bright lightbulb for the light. Got tired of wrangling extension cords, so ended up sitting down and simply drawing and painting my hand. I also looked at dissected hands on-line. I used acrylics mixed with a lot of water. I'm fairly pleased with the results.
The model's name tonight was Michael, who had amazing poses that were both dramatic and often were a countrapose. I am happy with several of the drawings, but especially like the side profile with red.
Years ago, I remember an art instructor of mine had us complete an exercise that I have always remembered. Take a drawing that you don't like and work with it again until you are satisfied. So tonight I used a drawing from my previous figure drawing session that I didn't like the proportions. I'm disappointed that I don't have the before pic, but here is the final results.
Tonight I had invited a bunch of artist friends, but I was the only one who went. That said, the art session was packed with plenty of attendees. The model's name was Christopher.
The model tonight at the SFAI figure drawing group was Lloyd. I had some rather nice experiences sketching him, however by the end I was tired and became too engrossed in details. The last drawing shows this with its isolated and contrasted sections of the body. My favorite drawing is the blue hand. There are some proportion problems, but I am still pleased.
Tonight I enjoyed the company of my friend Eric while we both sketched at the SFAI's figure drawing session. The model was Bonnie who I really enjoyed drawing. My favorite experience was drawing her hand and forearm (the orangish-yellow sketch with shaky red lines), but it still needs some finishing touches before I am completely satisfied with it.
Drawing the figure is a constant challenge and can be quite frustrating at times. To achieve a sense of accomplishment, I attempt to stay in a state of nowness, practiced in Zen Buddhism. In other words, drawing can be meditative.
I close my eyes and pay attention to my breath. Quickly, I open my lids and react with complete abandon. I fluidly react with no preconceptions and try not to ruminate on past failures. I edge toward objectivity and become aware of what my eyes and mind are paying attention to, for example, dark shadows, undulating contours, and points of tension. I develop awareness of my observant awareness. I continuously look at the figure with fresh eyes, like a young child discovering something new for the first time. Drawing the figure is the most frustrating and simultaneously the most enjoyable experience I have found. Tonight the model was again Barbara. I don't think these drawings are very strong and sketching them felt somewhat forced. I am resorting to conventions and this is interfering with my ability to keep nowness. On the other hand, I did have a few intense moments, which hopefully is conveyed.
Painting Is Dead...and yet lately I've been attracted to the idea of painting again.
I'm excited to start a new painting project. There will be three paintings total–the single piece will be a hand and the diptyph will be two legs. They will all be painted on cradled panels and each will measure 1' x 4'. I start by completing a few small tests to determine the color of the background, the size of the hand, and the placement/composition. I am also using Photoshop to help me pre-visualize the outcome. Started another watercolor painting, but this time I started with a complete black background. Here is the progress:
Tonight, the model was Barbara who I have drawn and painted many times. Her poses are not necessarily dynamic, but I always enjoy sketching her. While I was waiting for her to set up, I drew this quick sketch of my hand using blue pastel, red pencil, light blue pencil, and silver pencil.
I attended another drawing session and although I was really hungry, had a nice evening drawing the model Barbara. There was a moment halfway through the night that I attempted a couple of portraits and was completely filled with frustration and agitation. I've included this hiccup below. I then changed my focus to a couple of sketches of the model's foot. I am really happy with the results and think they are my strongest moments of the evening. An example of one of the lousy portraits where I began to resort to "object drawing" and the fruitless pursuit of "capturing reality". I lost most sense of nowness.
It's my half-sister's birthday coming up, so I quickly sketched/painted this card for her. Created with graphite and watercolor.
Dropped by SFAI for a figure drawing session, but unfortunately, the model didn't show up. So a few students volunteered to sit for us while clothed. Instead, my first drawing was my own hand, which I rather liked. Then I started drawing portraits and got SO aggravated. After all these years of figure drawing, the portrait is the most daunting and difficult. I need more practice. I really hate these two sketches. I took a small break, tried to relax, and refocus. The rest of the evening I created mediocre drawings, however I do like the foot drawing.
May is always a busy month with many birthdays. I created this card today and fairly happy with it, however her breasts don't feel quite right.
I've never liked store-bought greeting cards, so I usually make them myself. Here are a couple I created today:
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AUTHORTerrance Graven is a San Francisco artist whose installations incorporate sculptural elements, performance art, costumes, sound pieces, and theatrical lighting. CATEGORIES
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January 2024
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