Time out for art, as Thursday demanded to stay on schedule and continue drawing Classic. I’m excited about several drawing books that I’ll be reviewing especially one that’s packed full of useful tips and information, but that’s for another post.
A few decisions were made today before proceeding – not entirely sure that I’m settled on any one technique and since this drawing is for the benefit of learning techniques I’ll leave myself the option of changing mid-stream.
- First, I realized that I am going to have to use Frisket Film to protect the ballerina while the background drapes are being worked on (will keep her clean of black dust).
- Second, instead of using a circular motion to draw the drapes, I decided to keep a straight up-down direction of the graphite to flow with the direction of the drapes.
- Third, how to fill in the drapes so they appear smooth with folds, I decided to sweep charcoal across the surface and then go over it with 3B graphite pencil, blending as I went along with four different instruments in order: 1) a tortilium 2) q-tip to smooth the surface 3) brush with a camel hair brush using a sweeping motion to smooth the graphite like silk (didn’t totally work and I’ll explain in a later post), and 4) tissue paper to buff. I’ll be repeating this several times to get the area as covered and smooth as possible.
Using Strathmore Drawing Paper, 9×12 and graphite pencils 2B and 3B. Today I began working on the ballerina’s proportions (wow, any of you artists that draw people – bless your hearts, what a challenge this was). I’m closer to how I envision her, but still see several areas to go back in and address before I can finish the background drapes.
I have a long ways to go with the drapes, they look quite rough but as you know, all in good time. Thank you for checking in ~
Classic #2
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Love the depth you go about your work look forward to see it developing.
Thank you Doron for your nice comment – ah we know the weeks that are ahead of us. Perhaps this drawing will go a bit quicker. Have a nice weekend!
Thanks Mary you also 🙂
Here she is gently emerging …. I love the graceful pose .
Ah Poppy, remember how many times you painted your watercolor scene recently – I’m feeling a bit of that with this drawing. So after tossing and turning last night, I made a decision to stop and turn back – some new techniques will be tried as well. Stay tuned, changes are coming on this drawing – next post. Thank you, your comments always hold meaning and are greatly appreciated.
#2 try… I love your work. Hope this one works!
After a fitful sleep last night I made a major decision on how I will be proceeding – will try a couple of new techniques because the background right now isn’t leaving me a lot of options. So stay tuned the next post will be a reveal of sorts!
I think your skill is amazing!
I think you know how to make my day! Linda you are an amazing supporter and encourager – have a wonderful holiday weekend.
this one is going to be very dramatic! i look forward to watching it grow!
Thanks Z! I want it all – dramatic visual, graceful elegance and strength. Hope I’m able to accomplish. Thanks very much! Take care and have a safe weekend.
you started over? i am so impressed with your discipline! you’re amazing!
don’t forget to watch for those meteors!
http://georgetown.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/cemelopardalid-meteor-shower-may-be-storm-of-fireballs-when-to-watch-where-to-find-them50858
Thanks Z, stay discipline or totally embarrass myself! I saw something about that on the news last night – thanks for the link will check them out.
I think proportions are the toughest part. It’s interesting to read about your process. I look forward to seeing your ballerina come to life!
Thank you so much! I was still fiddling with the proportions this morning and then made a major change in direction as you’ll see with my next post.
So many challenges!
Yeah, this one is proving that challenges bring about growth – you’ll see in my next post. Radical change to the techniques I’m using. Thanks so much!!
You’re off to a great start Mary! Looking forward to seeing her evolve. Have a great holiday weekend!
Thanks Rhonda – some big changes are on the way. To be revealed on my next post – have a wonderful holiday as well.
Happy to see that you have started on your ballerina and made some progress. Looking forward to your next step and especially to the part when you get into developing the ballerina itself! Consider to have a warm up session before you actually put the pencil on the figurine, I find it (at least for myself) useful to have a mini workout before I actually start working on details of my illustrations. What I mean by that is I’m warming up my hand by sketching random lines in all shapes and forms, it really helps me especially if I work on small details like eyes, nose, lips, fingers or any design detail what I have set in my imagination. It’s going to be exciting to see your progress, wish you good drawing!~Eva:)
Thanks Eva really appreciate your advice, sort of like a warm-up session before starting to play tennis – gets everything into a groove and I see no difference when drawing, in this case a figure that I have little familiarity with. You’re really spot-on and will become very useful as I do this often with subjects in my oil pastels before I start to paint them. With the ballerina I’ll be blotting out the outline before I begin working on her so there aren’t initial sketching lines showing through the work. Also the background just is not sitting right with me and I know if I don’t change directions on how I’m approaching it, it will be too late down the road. So I have re-thought my approach and will reveal in my next Thursday’s Drawing post – rarely do I make major changes to my work, but in this case the drawing is not at my standards. It’s a good thing and I’m in a good place about how I’ll be proceeding. Thank you, your artistic aptitude is something that I’m in awe of and can learn from – have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you Mary, wish you too a good weekend!
As the drapes might say: hang-in there!
Good one! 😀
I do agree! Funny and perfect ~
Fantastic Cynthia – still smiling after reading this, perfect! My next post you’ll a resolution I made last evening about this drawing, rarely do I change directions in a middle of a piece – stay tuned.