Figure Drawing and indicating form

This week's model was very good, an actor. His poses seemed to be vignettes that told or implied stories. I enjoyed drawing him.

In these drawings, besides spending an inordinate amount of time getting the figure right, I was attempting to show form by shading the figure darker where the planes moved away from me. It's funny for me to see how little shading I did on these drawings, because at the time I drew them, I felt like they were nearly black with charcoal. But, the figures look right. The poses look like the body parts were placed accurately. I even managed to get the slouch right in the second drawing.

Like most art practice, some things go better than others. It a matter of doing the work. In piano it was scales and chords and arpeggios. Endless practice that was necessary for fluid playing. These drawings are my scales and chords. In the future, I will draw the concerto.

Form and grace: irises

Hoping to find a place with fewer distractions, I walked down a shaded path to the older display gardens at Schreiner's Iris Gardens. There I found an intimate setting for me to study the structures of these amazing flowers.

Many photographers found their way back to this area, and I had several stimulating conversations with them about composition, lighting, style, and perspective. So much for not being distracted.

That's another thing I love about art: it brings people together. And that is a wondrous experience! Even if it is a distraction. Maybe it was the most important part of my painting day.