Art in Bradford: Drawing Studies the first 3 weeks

Oh Lord is about all I can say. Drawing studies is fun, scary, hard work, challenging, exciting, intimidating and frustrating. Usually this is how I feel at some point during each session. It is however a wonderful way to start the week and is something to look forward to over the weekend.

Week One - Warming Up

This was more of a limbering up and getting back into the way of drawing. It shocked me just how poor my mark making and observational skills had become over the summer when I had done no art at all.

My first attempt after the summer:

The poor model really didn't deserve this attempt.

Second attempt:

Using graphite and sanguine conte. A better attempt but when I looked at others work I realise just what a mountain I have to climb. It is very different from Craven where I became too comfortable that what I produced would pass muster.

Week 2 - Sight Size Drawing

OK so it sounds simple. You look, measure and draw to exact scale using a ruler. How hard can this be? Answer: Bloody difficult!

The poor model is neither a hunchback nor a Neanderthal. Basically I forgot to a) close one eye whilst measuring and also b) keep the same eye closed!! What a pratt. My only excuse was it was a Monday morning and I had only had about 4 hours sleep.

I was assured by my tutor that my second attempt would be much better. Hmmm. Sometimes you just have to prove the tutors wrong.

It is reminiscent of a Henry Moore sculpture and there is certainly a feeling of mass. Sadly as a sight size drawing it is not a success. This really dented my confidence especially as others appeared to understand and execute far more successful drawings. If I can't master this simple technique how can I hope to improve my drawing and painting skills. Feeling very despondent.

I have a very long way to go before I can come close to Euan Uglow:

Week 3 - Experimental

After last weeks debacle I wasn't looking forward to drawing studies. But.....this was a very full on session just playing with media and styles.

Our first exercise involved very quick 2 - 3 minute sketch before turning our paper through 90 degrees and changing media. So:

Doing this felt incredibly liberating and helped to dispel the gloom engendered in me from the week before. I enjoyed this as it is somethingI have never done or considered before and yet I admire many layered and dimensional work by others.

The second exercise was about mark making and drawing an emotion. I chose to use charcoal as I like the range of marks and textures one can get. The 6 emotions were: happy, sad, lonely, manic andgry and peaceful:

And separately: