The task
– Make three drawings, take 30 to 60 minutes time for each
– Positions: Standing, sitting and lying
– Observe
o Attitude and movement
o Centre of gravity, angles of the limbs, perspective foreshortening
o Skeleton and muscles
– Make very quick sketches and notes in the sketchbook
– Make some two minute preparatory sketches
– Try different drawing media and select one appropriate for the subject and style
First drawing: Standing figure
I went into a different room this time because I discovered that natural light conditions were quite pleasant for drawing there. I also have a comfortable chair there which could serve as a stand for my drawing board. With myself as a model, part of the task is finding a position that I can draw using a mirror, and it should not be too uncomfortable to be held for some time.
To bring some interest into the task, I decided to place the foot on the chair and draw myself from the side. I hadn’t read instructions thoroughly, so I began with some observations of my pose but did not make any notes nor quick sketches. Instead, I began with a line sketch using the bold 2B graphite stick and chose A3 paper to give some more space for experimentation and broader arm movements.
I focused on broad outline of the figure and just sketched the outlines of the figure and the chair, no shadings. I made a sekond sketch using black pen with the same aim of just getting the posture and proportions right. In some areas, I tried out a technique of drawing the figure based on simple lines that denoted the center of the bones, for example left leg and left arm and right lower leg. I found this helpful but switched between central axes and outline drawing, maybe because I wasn’t confident about my new technique.
For the longer study, I chose the 2B graphite stick again because I had discovered that I could make really dark marks by applying more pressure. I wanted to include both tonal shades and some line work. I set out in the same way as before but then took the time to work out more of the outlines and tonal shadings.
I’m quite satisfied with the final drawing. It’s more realistic and a bit more devoted than much of my earlier work for this course in observational drawing. I see a slight improvement in how I drew the head and face. It doesn’t resemble me, but while drawing I had a greater feeling of control than in earlier attempts. May be a consequence of the larger format and the “permission” to take more time for a closer look implied in the task instructions.
The left arm doesn’t work well in this drawing. I tried to correct it by erasing and drawing over what I originally had, but it didn’t work out and I destroyed something that had been successful in the throat and shoulder area. It may have to do with the fact that the posture quickly became strenuous and the physical effort distracted my attention away from the drawing task.
Maybe the next position will be easier to draw because I need less physical effort to maintain the position when sitting on a comfortable chair. I’m continually reflecting whether the self portrait option might work for me in part 5, and the physical effort involved speaks against that choice. Similarly the artificiality introduced from having to use a mirror. I realized this when drawing my foot directly, without mirror, for the research point on anatomical drawing. So maybe it would be better to choose a different option. I’m not sure about this and think I’ll just wait and see and continue reflecting on the pros and cons of each option.
Second drawing: Sitting figure
I started with a quick drawing in my sketchbook, but the approach did not work for me. I wrote a comment on the drawing: Draw for real or don’t draw. This was because I had no motivation to make a quick drawings of my chosen pose. I later realized that this might be a technique to try out whether a pose actually works or not, before commiting to a more worked out study.
Indeed I changed my seating position for all the drawing because they were all less comfortable than I thought. While drawing, the resting arm began to hurt on the rest, one of the feet turned sour, I couldn’t hold my right arm up for longer. I don’t know why I’m so easily exhaustible, but the physical strain goes along with mental exhaustion and as a result, I’m simply not able to concentrate and work on a drawing for more than half an hour or so.
The drawings look a bit funny, especially my face in the worked out drawing. But it’s actually the first of my figure drawings that resembles me a bit. Proportions aren’t very good.
Third drawing: Lying figure
This was difficult to set up. I went to the living room and took a large mirror with me, then tried several arrangements before I was able to see myself in the mirror, lying on the sofa. The view upwards was not ideal because I couldn’t see much of the skeletal structure of the figure, but at least it worked.
I chose an A4 size this time and 4B pencil because the smaller size was easier to handle for drawing in that position.
I intended to make quick line drawings but then the initial sketches both developed into tonal studies. I let myself go because I found it was valuable practice. Proportions are ok in all three drawings. I seem to have captured foreshortening well in all three drawings.
