Drawing

Puttering along with drawing, painting “gestures”

Just checking in, to prove I haven’t bailed on this whole endeavor.

I started doing the next assignment in the first Oil Painting course, but when I got to Mr Watts’ “gestures” painting tutorial, it rocked my whole world so much I just completely stopped painting for the course and did some “gestures” for my own gallery. (Which I can’t show here, else I not be anonymous anymore!)

It just never occurred to me to try this before now. Use a limited palette of Burnt Umber and white, give yourself about an hour to complete something, and see what happens!

It was GREAT! I loved it! I felt such a sense of accomplishment to get something in about an hour!

Anyway, enough of that, back to the doing the assignments for the atelier. I’ve now returned to the Oil assignment and am almost done with a skull painting (which I will post as soon as it’s done).

Quick Sketch and learning the whole charcoal/carbon pencil thing

Yeah, still getting used to the charcoal pencils, and the Reilly method! But I love it!

So I’m posting a few more examples of Quick Sketch. I feel I am getting the “gist” of it, but there’s a lot to it, so much more repetition will be required before it truly even starts to sink in.

A little bit of shading and cramming in as many images as I can on a sheet of newsprint.

I got some smooth-textured newsprint, and yes, in the 18×24″ size that was required, but I know how I am and how I work, and I knew that as I sit perched in front of my computer monitor that 18×24 is too big for everyday practicing. So I got some smaller sized pads too; Seth Cole pads of various sizes from DEW (current as of 2023). They have a lovely texture.

I feel a little more comfortable using the unique charcoal pencil technique (with the shaved, elongated point) but there’s a learning curve and I’m not “there” yet. I see the advantages of learning this technique, so I’m all in.

I’ve also been playing around with other types of smooth paper to use with these charcoal pencils.

Another little invented head, using Strathmore Layout Bond. Lovely, lovely texture.

I’ve never really warmed to charcoal up until now. It was always too “smeary” and I hated it when I first studied figure drawing. Conte Crayons (the sticks) with newsprint were okay, but they didn’t “translate” well for me with other types of paper. Now with these wonderful Conte Charcoal pencils and Wolff’s Carbon pencils, I’m changing my mind.

Layout Bond is a little too pricey for just practice, but I love love love the texture and since it’s acid free, I could theoretically sell drawings on this type of paper.

For all these years I’ve mostly stuck to graphite for drawing (using a mechanical pencil) but Watts is now “expanding my horizons” and I’m very grateful!

Well, back to work!

05/07/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing Figure Drawing 0

Starting with the drawing courses at Watts Atelier

I initially started with a painting-only subscription at Watts Atelier, but quickly realized that there was a wealth of good stuff in the drawing courses, and I wanted in! So I upgraded to get everything.

I’m not a novice at art, but at the same time I don’t want to be one of those Dunning-Kruger victims who says, “I know how to draw” (nose stuck up in the air) and then refuses to review the beginner drawing courses. I figured that there would be invariably be something new to me, and I was right.

But because time and money is limited, I decided to sort of “audit” the beginning drawing courses instead of formally taking the course and waiting for grades. (I won’t do this for everything, because the critiques are very valuable, but at the same time, time and money, and definitely I’ll need critiques in the more advanced courses.)

Another reason I really wanted to review the beginner drawing courses is because of their unique way of rendering with charcoal pencil. I have a “signature” drawing style that I like, but I don’t want to be one of these artists who gets super precious with that whole “BUT THAT’S MY STYLE” horse manure. No, “my style” isn’t going anywhere, but it’s not so fragile that I can’t learn something new. The classic Watts rendering style is gorgeous; why wouldn’t I want to learn it?

So, I started from scratch with the first fundamental drawing course. There’s a learning curve with the whole sharpening the charcoal pencil to a long, loooong tip, and holding it differently—it’s all new, and I haven’t mastered it by a long shot.

Doodles on ROUGH NEWSPRINT (which we are not supposed to use). Practicing the pencil strokes, and a little crappy makeshift invented head.

I’m currently mostly using the recommended Wolff’s carbon pencil (4B right now) and am enjoying it. I switched to smooth newsprint and am fiddling with learning how to hold the pencil in the recommended way and I’m sure I’m not “there” yet…but Mr Watts says it takes a lot of patience.

Some more invented heads, quick sketches, trying to hold my pencil right, but still struggling. The head drawings are an example of my current drawing level—I haven’t taken the head drawing course with Watts yet (so anything I get wrong is not their fault!). I am looking forward to learning so much more and especially the Frank Reilly way of drawing!

I followed along to the first course in drawing, where we drew cubes, spheres, etc, and learned some new stuff. As Mr Watts did his drawing in the video demos, I drew too. These examples were again using the dreaded rough newsprint (I was still waiting for my smooth newsprint to arrive in the mail).

Practice, practice, practice!
Sketches I did as I followed along to the figure drawing Quicksketch streaming course. Heads are still too small, but I’m loving this Reilly method that they’re teaching!

And finally, some more Quicksketch drawings I did as I follow along to the streaming Quicksketch course that I’m auditing. I need to power through this class because I only have a week left before the videos are no longer available!

Anyway, I thought I’d post an update so y’all don’t think I’ve already bailed. I’m watching lots of videos, totally loving the classes, and excited for the future.

I am still following the painting classes, but got sidetracked (in a good way) with some painting studies using the new techniques I learned. Mr Watts encourages a lot of repetition, repetition, repetition, and that’s what I was doing!

Overall, I am very thrilled with this online atelier!

04/20/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing Figure Drawing Rambling 0

Figure drawing is mandatory every day now

I was so, so chagrined when I discovered how much my figure drawing had slumped over the past few years.

March 2023 figure sketch from photo reference. The feet and hands lack detail, the pose is stiff, and I feel the waist might be too short. I assume it’s not too horrific, but yeah. It is what it is.

One of the things I’m eternally grateful for is that I developed a “figure drawing habit” early on in life. As a young artist, figures were always a weakness of mine. (I liked portraits, couldn’t do figures to save my life and anatomy was B-O-R-I-N-G.) When I first got to college at age 18, I decided to tackle all of that and started taking Life Drawing (also known as figure drawing). It was tough adjusting to live models instead of copying photos at first. (That’s something you’re not told—the big difference between drawing from life vs. photos.) But gradually things got better and I started to like figure drawing.

When I switched to an art school, I loved figure drawing enough that I made sure to take every class available that had anything to do with drawing from models. I also took anatomy classes and loved them. It was wonderful.

Then after art school, I continued taking either community college classes or just finding weekly artist figure drawing groups. This I did for years, off and on. Definitely there were some “off” years, but since I’m “of a certain age” (cough cough), it’s still added up to a lot of years.

With the plague and everything, I haven’t done figure drawing in several years, and it SHOWS. Oh, how I struggled. Some of my recent drawings had parts I liked, but usually the legs were where everything fell apart. This is not permanent; I know with practice and getting “warmed up” the drawings will improve. But still, it was disappointing to say the least.

I know the drawing I posted at the top of the page is not terrible…but, compared to the fluid, gorgeous drawings I see at Watts, I feel ashamed. But, I’m posting this drawing to show the “baseline,” meaning where I’m coming from, my current “level.” Not starting from zero, but with lots of room for improvement. Things I don’t even think are wrong are probably wrong.

Another thing I’m very keen to learn is anatomy. I loved it in art school, but it wasn’t a very popular subject and wasn’t made available for very long. I was lucky to study it for two semesters (I think?). It’s been years since I’ve formally studied anatomy, so I think it’s well past time for a refresher course!

Another quick figure sketch. Probably finished in 5-8 minutes? This is messy, but less egregious than some of the others. I’m posting this to document my figure drawing level pre-Watts atelier.
03/30/2023 by Drawing Figure Drawing 0

I don’t know what I don’t know

This is the reason I started this blog, and the reason I’m taking more art studies. I don’t know what I don’t know. And I want to know.

Many of us can’t always see where our weakest areas are, where our skills are the most lacking. It’s normal; it’s common. Few are exempt from this. That’s why we go to school and get an education. To find out what we don’t know.

I am fairly certain of a few of my weakest areas, but in the back of my mind is the question, “Is there something else I can’t see in my artwork that needs to be fixed? Some art failing that I’m in denial about?” It’s happened before (though I was aware there was something missing), and no doubt it will happen again.

So, time to get a fresh set of eyes on my work and see what’s most in need of work.

And that’s why I’m here!

03/28/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing 0

Starting with an atelier has confirmed to me…

…that drawing skill is not optional.

This post says it all. Why learn to draw when you can trace?

There are always going to be “tracing vs freehand drawing” debates, but for those who want to really “dive deep” (meaning, the way that Watts is teaching), avoiding lots of drawing practice is not going to be possible.

I’m gonna ramble

Edit: Because this is my anonymous blog, I’ll vent my spleen.

The BAR IS SET IN HELL right now, and most colleges and drawing classes teach (and settle for) the bare minimum when it comes to traditional art skills, like drawing, painting, color.

But with ateliers like Watts, there’s hope, because they’re raising the bar and we’re seeing what can and should be possible.

“Drawing Privilege”

I’m feeling my “drawing privilege” right now because Watts assumes you will be doing all your assignments freehand. And I can! Not incredible, but “okay.”*

I say “drawing privilege” because too many artists struggle mightily with freehand. I’ve had teachers just resign themselves to the fact that most of their students can’t handle freehand. (One teacher told everyone to just trace so he didn’t have the hassle of correcting all their drawings.) Too few of us can draw with even a modest level of competency.

There’s obviously plenty of room for improvement, but I’m relieved that I’m not starting from zero. Starting from zero (or almost zero) is too often the case, and I blame the art schools and colleges for this mostly.

Some of the other students at Watts scare the hell out of me, they’re so good. And the teachers! Some of them are so young, they’re basically embryos! It warms my heart.

*It may sound egotistical to say this, but because the BAR IS SET IN HELL, my skills have often been considered above average. To be called above average is wonderful, and I’m grateful. But when I get into an environment like Watts, what I’ve always known in my gut has proven to be true—”okay” but just that. So much room for improvement. I’m shocked and chagrined to discover how much improvement is needed. Truly humbling!

03/27/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing 1

First exercise, Drapery course

Following the “Diaper Fold” lecture.

This drawing is messy and I’m not using the recommended drawing method with the charcoal pencil, etc., but here it is. Since I’m just starting this blog I’m going to post every little thing! (As time passes, I doubt I’ll be as zealous.)

I enjoyed the first lesson of the Drapery Master Class with Erik Gist and learned a lot. This whole drapery thing is new to me…I knew I sucked at painting and drawing fabric, but was oblivious that such a course exists. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m all in!

03/27/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing 0

Quicksketch figure practice, week one exercises.

Without some artwork to show, this blog is just talk, talk talk!

So here is my practice art from the Quicksketch Figure Drawing course I’m taking from Watts Atelier.

Without some example art on this blog, it’s all just talk talk talk!

I’ve had some experience with figure drawing before, so I’m not starting from square one. Ages ago I had a teacher who was trying to introduce us to the Reilly method (a modified version of that is taught at Watts) and I don’t know why, but most of the students were confused. I don’t know if it was the teacher’s fault or not. (He was apparently a student of Frank Reilly back in the day!) I do remember bits and pieces of what he taught, but only a little bit of it “stuck.”

I’m so glad to have an opportunity to learn it “properly” this time, and so far I’m loving what I’m seeing. My drawing isn’t “there” yet. (I tend to make the legs too long—a stylization that many figure drawing classes encourage.) But it’s been great! I think I’m going to really benefit from this class!

03/26/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing Figure Drawing 0

Oh, my sweet summer child, your MFA doesn’t prove that you’re a good artist

“I speak with authority, I have an MFA!” says someone with low art skills EVERY DARN DAY. I mean they don’t say that word-for-word, but that’s the gist. They proudly mention their degree as “proof” of something, but that’s not how it works. The artist’s actual body of work proves their expertise better than anything else. Mentioning one’s degree shouldn’t even be necessary; the quality of work should be doing all the talking!

I’m in the not-so-unique position of having attended a fancy ooh-la-la art school, while not having a degree in art. In retrospect, it was an advantage, because I got to choose who I wanted as my teacher and what I wanted to study, and fortunately I didn’t waste my time on “fluff” classes, but stuck to the fundamentals.

“Your portfolio is your degree” said one teacher at the fancy school, when I asked him if it really was okay to just get the schooling without the degree. And he has proven to be right.

No one changes their mind and suddenly wants to buy an artist’s work as soon as they find out they have an MFA. If the quality of the work grabs them, they want it. If it sucks, an MFA isn’t going to suddenly make it less sucky.

That’s why ateliers are on the rise. Because the good ones teach you the skills that many of the ooh-la-la colleges won’t, and for a lot less money.

For further reference, please read Noah Bradley’s “Don’t Go to Art School!”

03/26/2023 by Art Training & Education Drawing Painting Rambling 0
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