I haven't put any pictures up for a while.
Here is a still life study that is typical of the type of practice piece I do to keep my observational skills up to scratch.
I have to say I would always prefer to draw a portrait or a figure study, but sometimes it's tricky to get anyone to model, and there is something nice about drawing a still life and knowing that your subject is going to stay still for as long as you need it to do so.
4 comments:
Hi PJ. Lovely light in the vase. I've done the same thing with self portraits over the years. I'm so appreciative of a sitter that I don't stop them moving enough... whereas I'll sit till painful atrophy. Hence the self-portrait-scowl phenomenon that shows when someone actually paints from life. Do you end up featuring in your books much, for want of a model? Or do you have willing bodies around you?
I'm an illustrator too and have loved your work for years. elise
Hi Elise
Lovely to hear from you, and thanks for the kind comments.
To be honest I find it hard to do self portraits now. I did loads of them when I was younger, but I don't find my face that interesting anymore.
Of course the artist's always available model is himself or herself, and I do constantly refer to myself for expressions, hand shapes and poses, but they rarely end up looking like me when finished.
I do love drawing other people from life though. As I see you do too. I do it not just because it is good to hone one's drawing skills, but I find it hugely therapeutic.
I have a great session I go to now for the whole of Thursday afternoons.
I think your work is tremendous, and I will be keeping a close eye on your blog.
Best wishes
PJ
www.elisehurst.com
Hi Elise
Lovely to hear from you, and thanks for the kind comments.
To be honest I find it hard to do self portraits now. I did loads of them when I was younger, but I don't find my face that interesting anymore.
Of course the artist's always available model is himself or herself, and I do constantly refer to myself for expressions, hand shapes and poses, but they rarely end up looking like me when finished.
I do love drawing other people from life though. As I see you do too. I do it not just because it is good to hone one's drawing skills, but I find it hugely therapeutic.
I have a great session I go to now for the whole of Thursday afternoons.
I think your work is tremendous, and I will be keeping a close eye on your blog.
Best wishes
PJ
www.elisehurst.com
Dear PJ, I am so chuffed at your nice words. Yes, mirrors are an illustrator's best friend I think. It's a little harder in cafes (where I work a lot) to do surreptitious poses and expressions to work something out... I must look like a loon. Life drawing is a joy isn't it? I'm out of the habit but must start again. Congratulations again on your work. You are a simply stupendous artist!
All the best, Elise
Post a Comment