I've been taking part in art Zoom art for upwards of three times a week for two months, two being free, public/anonymous, hour-long face-drawing sessions based in Europe, Drawing is Free and Pencils for Tea; the third, a private group I was invited to by chance. On reflection, it's been a rather intense and sustained effort, though the face sessions in particular don't feel that way, and as you can imagine, I've had thoughts. I better start, in no particular order, before they escape.
Even in this short time, I noticed a changes/widening of my setup, so I'll start with those:
Technique: I like blindish drawing, though it depends on the day how much I peek, or even if it's only occasionally blind. Looking at the photos, I think I'm actually drawing more without looking in recent times than two months ago, but facial parts are more and more falling into the right places.
Increasing I am holding tool at the top, just grasping the tool at the top 1cm/2cm, not having control of the quality of lines, for dry and wet medium. My favorite is my Dad's old fountain pen. Although drawing with the non-dominant had was my go-to in the past, I haven't tried it yet.
Tools: I started with thin black markers, color gel pens, highlighters I found while cleaning the office, gold and silver felt tips; then added a refillable fountain pen, water-soluble crayons and watercolor/gouache, in part to reduce plastic consumption of pens. (I've only bought gel pens and felt tips recently.) I usually use only dry or wet medium in a given session, but have mixed them up occasionally.
Paper: I started smallish, either multiple faces on A4 pages or one on A5 pages, but recently I'm spilling out of A4 sheets. I have considered bigger, but each face sessions are relatively short, (2mins-something to just under 5mins,) I haven't. As well, I tend to sit during the sessions; I'll most definitely consider bigger if I were to stand and draw, always a possibility.
Even with the wet medium, I tended to stick to 110g-ish paper, white for the most part but black also. Now I use different colors and weights, for the strange reason: there seems to be a distinct lack of inexpensive 110g black paper in Nelson! Previously black sketchbooks were available anywhere inexpensive white visual diaries, (usually 110g,) were sold, though I can't remember if they were more expensive.
Now if they are available, they are twice or more times as expensive, and/or with 2/3 or even half the number of sheets. I have sourced 140g A3 paper in fantastically saturated black, but this costs more than the higher priced black sketchbook sheets, and the paper is too smooth, while I prefer bumpy/rough. One of the $2 Stores had breathtaking dark-mid-grey pads, around 100g, with rougher surface, 30 sheets for $2.50. (I know!!!) which holds water pretty well for the weight. I'm also trying out color printer paper. (If that dark-mid-grey came in cashmere or merino, I wouldn't hesitate to get a few kgs right away.)
I'll keep looking for thin, rough black paper, but I know my preferences will change over time. I am, though, sticking to the inexpensive materials, because paperwork is therapy, in contrast to weaving. I work quickly and go through a lot of material. And it makes more sense for a pensioner.
I'll stop here for this post. These pics are from January, before I got paper in different colors.
Even in this short time, I noticed a changes/widening of my setup, so I'll start with those:
Technique: I like blindish drawing, though it depends on the day how much I peek, or even if it's only occasionally blind. Looking at the photos, I think I'm actually drawing more without looking in recent times than two months ago, but facial parts are more and more falling into the right places.
Increasing I am holding tool at the top, just grasping the tool at the top 1cm/2cm, not having control of the quality of lines, for dry and wet medium. My favorite is my Dad's old fountain pen. Although drawing with the non-dominant had was my go-to in the past, I haven't tried it yet.
Tools: I started with thin black markers, color gel pens, highlighters I found while cleaning the office, gold and silver felt tips; then added a refillable fountain pen, water-soluble crayons and watercolor/gouache, in part to reduce plastic consumption of pens. (I've only bought gel pens and felt tips recently.) I usually use only dry or wet medium in a given session, but have mixed them up occasionally.
Paper: I started smallish, either multiple faces on A4 pages or one on A5 pages, but recently I'm spilling out of A4 sheets. I have considered bigger, but each face sessions are relatively short, (2mins-something to just under 5mins,) I haven't. As well, I tend to sit during the sessions; I'll most definitely consider bigger if I were to stand and draw, always a possibility.
Even with the wet medium, I tended to stick to 110g-ish paper, white for the most part but black also. Now I use different colors and weights, for the strange reason: there seems to be a distinct lack of inexpensive 110g black paper in Nelson! Previously black sketchbooks were available anywhere inexpensive white visual diaries, (usually 110g,) were sold, though I can't remember if they were more expensive.
Now if they are available, they are twice or more times as expensive, and/or with 2/3 or even half the number of sheets. I have sourced 140g A3 paper in fantastically saturated black, but this costs more than the higher priced black sketchbook sheets, and the paper is too smooth, while I prefer bumpy/rough. One of the $2 Stores had breathtaking dark-mid-grey pads, around 100g, with rougher surface, 30 sheets for $2.50. (I know!!!) which holds water pretty well for the weight. I'm also trying out color printer paper. (If that dark-mid-grey came in cashmere or merino, I wouldn't hesitate to get a few kgs right away.)
I'll keep looking for thin, rough black paper, but I know my preferences will change over time. I am, though, sticking to the inexpensive materials, because paperwork is therapy, in contrast to weaving. I work quickly and go through a lot of material. And it makes more sense for a pensioner.
I'll stop here for this post. These pics are from January, before I got paper in different colors.
Wow, I had no idea they had classes via zoom (ha, spoken by someone who doesn't get around the internet much). Makes perfect sense though, and how nice they're free!
ReplyDeleteI'm really impressed that your's are blind drawings. You have a knack! Nice that you're doing so much experimenting with tools and supplies. Hopefully, you'll always be exploring to expand your experience.
I had a vague idea there were some during the lockdown years, even followed one short one, but never imagined some folks were still doing it. They are super rewarding. This has been a wonderful diversion where I am free to irresponsibly do as I please, with no passes or fails; just learn, or not; keep at it, or not: whenever, wherever... You get the gist. I love it, overall, though there are some frustrating moments in between. If it were all very easy, I get the feeling I won't be as interested. We shall see how/where it goes.
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