Saturday 8 March 2008

No arty party



So, I have been doing this art course for a few weeks now. How's it going? Slowly. I was so up for this course. It was meant to rejuvenate my desire to paint. However, I knew the first assignment involved drawing non-animal elements and realised that it would be a problem. I was right. I have been struggling to draw some fruit and a plant. And I chose those two items because they were as near natural objects as I could get - the alternatives being spanners and tools, saucepans, a jam jar of pencils or a pile of washing up. To quote Dorothy Parker (I think), 'Oh, what fresh hell is this!!!' I cannot put into words how much I HATE still life. My tutor figures that she can tell alot about an artist's ability by seeing these items in graphite. I'm struggling. It's not that I can't draw them - I am just not inspired to draw them. I can find a million and one things to do instead of sitting down and tackling them. Anyway, enough complaining. The assignment will be done. I'm not having it any other way (that's my stubborn streak talking). On the plus side the final part of the assignment is to draw a really cute labrador from a photo. That is when the fun starts. I have scanned the apples I have drawn and the unfinished pot plant as a way of kicking myself into action. If I put them up here I will feel obliged to keep going with them and not take too long about it. That's the theory anyway.

10 comments:

Seth said...

You may feel uninspired but these two drawings are quite inspiring to me!

Mari said...

I've put down my pencil for a while now, and I feel stagnant at this time. After seeing your pencil drawings, however, I feel the urge once more to pick up my sketch pad and do some drawings.

virtual nexus said...

Very impressed with these. I joined
one art class some years ago where the tutor wanted us to spend five sessions drawing one figure....(!)

I had a conversation with art college son recently where he said that classic drawing skills arn't seen as essentials now - ideas are more important; if that's any encouragement!

Just out of interest, have you got your Comments tab under Settings on
'anyone can comment', or 'registered users only'? I was warned against the former, as that is one loophole spammers exploit.

Miki Willa said...

Your drawings are quite good. I can sympathise with you about having to do still lifes. When I took pastel painting classes, we had loads of still life practice. I struggled the most with the six weeks of painting glass.
I found your site through Virtual Voyage. I really like your cards.

mcdc3s said...

Oh my... I think the drawings are very inspiring... at least by my looking at them - for me personally. I know it is difficult to draw what is set before you if it is not your choice... but to let you know... they are lovely. Now you will be able to draw anything. Also, as you visited my blog: Funny you should say that about the gluestick and not confusing it with my chapstick. I HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE. I keep them both on my studio table. :P

Gwen Buchanan said...

Gillian, love your drawings... also saw one you did of 2 rabbits... especially loved that.. Beautiful,loved the care you show... Gwen in NB Canada

Anonymous said...

I agree with Seth, completely! There's no way I could do anything so accurate or beautiful with a pencil... you go, girl! I feel exactly the same about still life... I think I'd rather have a root canal without anesthesia than to have to draw another anything! Brava, well done!

Maggie Stiefvater said...

I think these are technically very good but I think I can see your lack of passion for them! I was never one for still lifes either, but my friend Nicole Caulfield (you can google her -- I won't link here) does really amazing still lifes and I've been converted.

ArtisticInkspirations said...

I think your drawings are WONDERFUL!!Keep going!! Want to see the animals when you do some!

Wabbit said...

Uninspired you may be but your drawings are great, Gillian!