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| I woke up to this site in my yard this morning. This doesn't happen in Florida. |
Just yesterday, I wondered "Where do you think deer go in this weather to sleep?" Ellis said, "No where. They sleep in the snow." And so they do. As I was getting up, so were they. It was seven thirty.
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| Studying VG and Millet |
I came downstairs to a roaring fire in the fireplace and took advantage of the cozy setting. With my coffee on the side table, I went back to my copy of Van Gogh's copy of Millet's Diggers. Coordinating the two figures quickly revealed how important measurement lines in common and strategic points were used by Millet. I cannot imagine how Millet got these figures down. It had to be via a series of sketches. Guys digging are in constant motion. Amazing unless there was an ancient camera available to him? Drawing from life in the classroom is static, easily mastered with time; Drawing the figure in motion is another skill to work in addition. Malls, sporting events, the beach, the park are the public places to frequent with pencil and sketch pad--and camera of course. I blew it in Mexico.
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| The idea of copying is not to forge an identical drawing, but to discover structure through discovery of common lines and points. |
I believe nature and all the gifts it holds, brings muse to all.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And having gotten A bit of an understanding of Windows 8 helps too! :-)). Moving on.
DeleteI'm so happy for you! It's snowing now ...
ReplyDeletebut I do not think so as it snowed at you ...
Even winter has its charm, it is easier to accept the visit of the Muse.
In summer it is too much desire to go for a walk and do many other things!
Beautiful drawing dynamic, dear Linda.
I did dare to go for a walk this afternoon. It was fourteen degrees with a windchill considerably less, but the sun was shining and the trees cast violet shadows on the pale blue snow. My plan was to walk for just ten minutes, but as I rounded the cul-du-sac the wind bit through my down coat and I decided five minutes was enough. Drawing this morning in front of the fire was delightful. I'm at it again now. Hopefully tomorrow I will make it to the studio. My reluctance to paint suggests I am in a flux period--re-evaluating my options. Of course that is ridiculous; we all know we just have to pick up a brush, some paint and scrawl our mark to get back in the swing
DeleteI can't imagine HOW they drew, painted moving subjects!!! And I LOVE your deer photo. Enjoy your painting tomorrow. [I'm doing time scaling teeth]
ReplyDeleteFriday, I'm back to sizing up a garage for an elaborate laundry room / mud room/ butler's pantry. I hope I can find my measuring tape. My draughting tools have long been moved to my watercolor station. It's been a long while since I designed a renovation. I wish it was warmer out--better for crawling around on your knees on cement! BUT THE PAY SATISFIES when compared to sales on Etsy! Artists, do not give up your day job!
DeleteYes, Linda, I have been reading your posts daily. And no, Linda, you do not have to taunt Florida to get me to comment (although it worked this time). :) But..standing in Paines Prairie outside of Gainesville, Florida I stood stock still when a herd of wild horses came so close that I could almost touch them. And in Cape Canaveral Wildlife refuge, I saw otters playfully diving in and out of a stream. But no deer, true. That I can remember.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great sketch, and you are right. It's tough to draw them moving. But from some of my experience sketching in public I can guess how this one was done. When I draw standing or sitting people in public, they often move but return to a default position and it is that position that after a minute or two of observation that I begin to sketch. Digging is a repetitive motion, so they might return to these positions at some time each stroke. So there it is to observe and draw.
Great Sargent sketches too!
Ah yes, there are no deer, but there's also no snow and trees bare of leaves; you have to look at the whole picture Dan.
DeleteI've noticed that myself about people sitting in a café, etc., but guys digging dig, stop, drop their shovels, take off their shirts, take a drink from their water bottle, pick up their shovels and go back to work not necessarily in the same proximity of each other. Best to draw shapes first and fast and make up the details I think--but I'm not going out to test my prediction. I'm still shivering from my five minute walk yesterday. :-))
You need some Florida sun!
DeleteIs that an invite? :-))
DeleteMost of the US needs some Florida sun--and actually we do have sun--that's why the temps are so low and the wind chills lower. Did get out of the cabin today, so cabin fever has broken. There is some beauty here to be marveled at. Snow is gorgeous when the sun shines and shadows are deep purple--definitely worthy of painting.