For the last 6 months or so I have been studying with Steve Huston, a favorite artist of mine, at his "Draws From Life" course.
I have grown a great deal already in my confidence and my ability, (at least in my mind), to make a little better sense of gesture and structure. As well as the philosophy and the "why" of all this. It's not something you can put your finger on exactly but I am starting to feel like it is important work.
I have grown a great deal already in my confidence and my ability, (at least in my mind), to make a little better sense of gesture and structure. As well as the philosophy and the "why" of all this. It's not something you can put your finger on exactly but I am starting to feel like it is important work.
I was lucky enough in November to be able to attend a couple life drawing sessions at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
Great venue for this and it is at a good time, Sunday afternoon, which works out a little better for me, (doesn't conflict with my bedtime though it can cause problems with a Sunday afternoon nap).
Great venue for this and it is at a good time, Sunday afternoon, which works out a little better for me, (doesn't conflict with my bedtime though it can cause problems with a Sunday afternoon nap).
I hope to attend a a few more of these in December.
For these excursions, I decided to travel light. Just a 9x11 toned Strathmore pad and my favorite fountain pen, (the Noodler), with brown ink and a white charcoal pencil.
For these excursions, I decided to travel light. Just a 9x11 toned Strathmore pad and my favorite fountain pen, (the Noodler), with brown ink and a white charcoal pencil.
Going into the new year, (and wrapping up my 63rd year on the planet in a few days), I am going to try to produce at least one finished and framable piece every month.
I am not sure if setting a goal like this is a good idea but even at one a month that only comes to a dozen a year, (if you can follow my math), which doesn't seem like enough.
I am trying to work a little smaller these days. The thinking is that I can learn more if I can complete projects and move on to the next thing instead of struggling for half a year on one large piece and never really knowing if I am getting it right. Seems like size matters when it comes to "in your face" impact of art but I need to resist that for now. Also I don't have that kind of storage room, (nor will my kids after I am gone probably, so the smaller stuff might fill a dumpster more efficiently).
I am not sure if setting a goal like this is a good idea but even at one a month that only comes to a dozen a year, (if you can follow my math), which doesn't seem like enough.
I am trying to work a little smaller these days. The thinking is that I can learn more if I can complete projects and move on to the next thing instead of struggling for half a year on one large piece and never really knowing if I am getting it right. Seems like size matters when it comes to "in your face" impact of art but I need to resist that for now. Also I don't have that kind of storage room, (nor will my kids after I am gone probably, so the smaller stuff might fill a dumpster more efficiently).
Anyway, here is a first piece. It is charcoal on a piece of 1/4" plywood with a few coats of gesso sanded quite smooth. It measures 11" x 16". I found the smooth surface to be pleasant and forgiving when pushing charcoal around.
