Last night, The Society of Illustrators had two lovely models, one of whom was 6 months pregnant. It was a joy to sketch them - trying to capture their lovely poses and bodies.
A Five Minute Sketch in Graphite
Two twenty minute poses - with watercolor pencil in a new Daler Rowney sketchbook. I'm not sure yet how much I like it....
20 minute
As I started 2010, I finally overcame my block in the chapter 2 exercises in the Bert Dodson book Keys to Drawing, and now I'm working on Chapter 3. This is a great set of exercises re: measurement since I often have trouble fitting figures onto the page.
Here are two figures drawn by marking the top, the bottom, and then the midpoint. Then a quick drawing was done and the actual midpoint measured by sighting before working further on the drawing. This is very different than my usual technique of starting with the head and then hoping that the feet fit on the page!
I went to Figure Drawing last night, in spite of the incredible cold in the City. We had two models during the entire time, one of whom wore an elaborate head dress with devil horns and 3 large silk flowers. I'm posting a few of the 19 sketches I made - all were done in graphite in a 9 X 12" sketchbook.
This is one of 10 two minute sketches:
These are 3 of the 4 Five Minute Sketches:
This is one of 2 ten minute sketches:
You can probably tell that I was sitting in a place where I couldn't see the models' feet. But my skills sketching hands and feet are so weak, that is OK with me for the moment. I'm still concentrating on drawing the basic position - head, shoulders, and hips.
There were 3 twenty minute poses - but I don't like my drawings as much as the shorter, less overworked poses. I just purchased a new figure drawing sketchbook that will take water media and may try to draw with a watercolor pencil and then add water for shading during the 20 minute sketches in the future.
Last night was my 4th monthly figure drawing session at The Society for Illustrators in New York City. It is a 3 hour, drop-in session - no instruction - but there's great live jazz and wine! I'm posting one of 10 two minute sketches, one of 4 five minute sketches, 1 of 2 ten minute sketches, and 1 of 3 twenty minute sketches. We had another bald model - and I would think I'd be used to it because I sketch figures from posemaniacs.com. But I'm not.
I see some of the same people there every time I go. Since my date is random each month, I have to think that they never miss - and sketch every Tues and every Thurs! That is dedication!
Last night was my 3rd figure drawing session at the Society of Illustrators in New York City and I came home with 19 sketches, even though I really didn't like one of the two models. This was a new experience and I had to convince myself that I didn't need to like the model or their poses - it was all an opportunity to practice drawing.
The standard format is 10 two minute poses, 4 five minute poses, 2 ten minute poses, and 3 twenty minute poses, with breaks, over 3 hours. I'm posting one from each group.
This is the other model - small, really skinny, shaved head except for a circle of bright yellow short hair in a circle on the top of her head. However, it was the contorted positions that she took which I didn't like, except this one.
I loved the setting, really enjoyed the live piano and double bass music throughout the evening, and appreciated the glass of red wine while sketching.