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| Hmm, pencil sketch on cheap paper, 12x9 |
I've been reading. I get lost in the books; while reading, my only other activities are breathing and drawing (which are the same thing--I can't do one without the other).
First, I read Color and Light by James Gurney--an excellent book--so good that I made notes. Now I realize that I'll never find those notes when I'm painting; hopefully, I'll be able to locate the book. I also read Oil Painting Step-by-Step, a 1953 book by A. L. Guptill.
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| pencil, 5x4 |
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| pencil, 5x4 |
I tried to discard a February 2009 issue of
Vanity Fair but there were some great full-page closely-cropped photos of the previous administration and a 25-page article titled "Farewell to All That." I had to re-read the article and drew (No. 2 pencil) a couple of the photos by Philippe Sands--I skipped the President, the Vice President and Rove. These two were enough.
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| pencil, 12x9 |
From the magazine George I copied the arm from the photograph "Redhead" by Paul Outerbridge, and re-read the article. (No. 2 pencil)
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| 3-Legged Woman, ink on yupo, 10x8 |
Then I tried Yupo for the first time, using walnut ink and the end of a crochet hook (couldn't find the bamboo stick). The paper is very slippery and the ink runny--thus a 3-legged woman.
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Isn't it funny, all the ways we get inspired, and how we all respond in different ways. I have walnut ink too, never had the courage to try yupo though. I love the fluidity of the ink drawing, and your first drawing is sooooo cerebral! Maybe I should be reading more.
ReplyDeleteWonderful drawings and I like the woman in walnut ink on yupo but I think ink would really be had to control on it.
ReplyDeleteHallie, I love this post! It is so you, interesting, funny, eclectic. Fascinating seeing how you sketch and that it comes so natural, like breathing.
ReplyDeleteAnd IF I had to pick a favorite (because isn't that what we bloggers do?) it would be the hand holding a cigarette. It reminds me of my mother.
When I read avidly, I have difficulty creating cartoons. The reading is all absorbing so usually I have to read around the periphery.
Lovely post Hallie! Thanks.
Hi Robin. Once in a blue moon reading moves to the top of my list, and art takes second--quick drawings are about all I can manage, and copying doesn't require thought. Just fun.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda. That ink on Yupo was hard to control--I was trying to keep it on the paper and off my bed. I did this late last night just before turning off the lights.
Hi Pam. If I'm sitting and breathing, I'm usually drawing. I was thinking about this post and I believe copying things is about as close as I can get to meditating (which always gives me a headache). When I'm copying someone else's work with a pencil I only think about the lines--nothing else. Copying a painting with color would require thinking. The color photo of the redhead with the cigarette is beautiful--from 1937.
Wonderful drawings, Hallie. My favorite (I also take the Blogger's Creed seriously, Pamo) is the one on cheap paper where you're holding your head in your hands. I've noticed you do that a lot. May I suggest you stop rereading VF? Say farewell to all that, and start writing. You're hilarious!
ReplyDeleteAh, SamArtDog--you picked the 10-minute drawing, and I noticed it looks like my ID photo. Maybe the early membership in the 4H Club still influences; I can only remember two of the four, though--head and hands. I just let my subscription to VF lapse; I still have the first issue and the one with a pregnant Demi Moore on the cover. I won't be able to pitch the Feb. 2009 issue--it covers the whole eight years of the Bush administration. I love VF ads and photos but the type and the magazine have gotten smaller. Since they scrapped the horoscope page several years ago, I've had to live without plans.
ReplyDeleteHey Hallie, Cool post. Drawing is a peaceful way to spend your time. The first dwg. doesn't look like you,it must be a dream. I love dwgs. of hands and feet. Come to think of it, I like any part of the anatomy in closeup or as a study.
ReplyDeleteYour first picture (vintage Hallie) is the perfect illustration of how I feel when I use Yupo, only more exciting. I use it periodically because of it's unpredictability. These are great sketches - I especially like the hand.
ReplyDeleteYour pencil drawings are strong and I love the yupo piece. Glad to see you tried it and I hope you do more. Ditto on samartdog's comment about your writing!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue. You're right--drawing is a peaceful way to spend time. I actually recognize that first drawing--maybe a previous life as a brain surgeon or an alien.
ReplyDeleteHe Dan. When I pulled out the Yupo pad instead of regular paper, I remembered your blog about painting with jello. You were right. I think, though, the unpredictability will be fun. Or should I just say blobs and runs?
Indigomar. Thank you. I'll play with Yupo again but I can't imagine it as a permanent art work. Maybe I should look for directions or suggestions?
But did the three legged lady start out naked? It takes great courage using walnut ink in bed. Thanks for your service to the cause. That arm keeps looking like a monument. I see what you're saying about breathing and drawing. OK maybe not. Your friend, Wm
ReplyDeletePS. Have you been trying to draw my avatar again? Sweet. Wm
ReplyDeleteHi William. Yes, she began nude; then I noticed she was wearing gloves & boots so I added the skirt--then a hat.
ReplyDeleteYour avatar? Rodin already did that.
Reading and Breathing and Drawing......what a great title for a blog! I love to read but when I get inspired while reading I JUST HAVE TO GET UP AND PAINT.
ReplyDeleteGoody! I see I get to choose a favorite even though I don't know what Yupo is! I'll go with the tough looking political fellow done in pencil. I wouldn't buy a second hand car from a bloke with a face like that, take my word for it!
ReplyDeleteIt's magnificent how you draw from magazines...I love the variety. I recognized Rumsfeld and Rice right away---what good work! I like sketching as much as reading too--so, we have that kinship for sure. I would never come up with the hand and head, though...How do you come up with these things? Great post...My favorite? (not that you asked...haha) is probably the one on Yupo ---it's a combination of your drawing skills and your "adventure" :)
ReplyDeleteHi Carole. Even if I'm reading a book about painting, I can't stop--I have to finish the whole book; then paint. (Novels are different--I read the first half, then the last chapter, then the middle.)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back MM. But would you buy a book written by the political fellow? He's been on lots of TV shows recently. Stuff happens.
Hi Celeste. I guess drawing from magazines is a holdover from childhood. Copying doesn't require a lot of thought--just a pencil, and it's always easier to draw people I don't know. Copying a painting, as you sometimes do, would be much harder--you're studying. I have no idea where the head in the hand came from; of course, I do like the Escher drawing of the hand holding the mirrored sphere.
these are great drawings. I've never been very good at realism, but it's something I've been wanting to practice. I'm still pretty new to the art scene, so still much learning to do
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah-anne. I think drawing is just about looking and the best practice is drawing from life. Just look at your own hand or set something up. I don't think you learn much from copying because someone else has already done the important parts--lights, shadows, etc.
ReplyDeleteIf my computer screen were reflective "Hmm" would be what I'd see looking back at me. That was my exact pose as I clicked on your blog tonight.
ReplyDeleteYour drawing of the hand and cigarette would have made a great add for smoking. It's svelte and sexy.
-Don
Hi Don. All my shirts have holes at the elbows from this pose. Outerbridge's photo might have been used in a cigarette ad--I was fascinated by the long fingers and skinny arm.
ReplyDeleteHallie, as usual an extremely interesting post, I immediately loved the hand holding the face, I thought it was soo you, and the hand holding the cigarette gave me a lot of associations...incredible what a hand can suggest. And the three legged woman ( doesn't really look like 3 legs )is so full of movement and energy, she is just gorgeous. Love it all. I have no idea though what yupo is.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane. I think hands are as expressive as faces. Yupo is a synthetic paper; I've read that you can paint on it, then wash or lift it off. I've seen some lovely watercolors (on blogs) but I just got a small pad for play. Ink was probably not a good choice--it ran and puddled and made me laugh.
ReplyDelete