ABOUT DRAWING
A pencil is quiet, clean, odorless, inexpensive, and lightweight. I can slip it in my pocket and take it with me everywhere - my secret friend. (Sherry Camby)
The very act of drawing an object, however badly, swiftly takes the drawer from a woolly sense of what the object looks like to a precise awareness of its component parts and particularities. (Alain de Botton)
As technology advances at an alarming pace, the place of drawing remains as valid as ever in the creation of art and architecture. (Prince Charles)
Drawing is a language scribed like handwriting with each person expressing their own style and personality. Drawings are not only useful in preparations for finished paintings but also a great exercise for observation training the eye to SEE... texture, patterns, rhythms, tones, details, shadows, etc....
Certain kinds of drawings require the use of measuring tools of a draftsman. Protractors, triangles,
t-squares, etc define exact spaces with the use of mathematical theories. Learning to use drafting tools can be overwhelming for the beginner but once learned the artist has a deeper understanding that all things constructed by Mother Earth and Mankind has some kind of mathematical theory defining its structure in space.
I use my working drawings of nude models in the studio and the musicians in nightclubs as studies for future paintings. Drawing LIVE brings many challenges encouraging speed and expressive arm movements. Sometimes my drawing can be unattached to outside realities while my inner vision takes over and describes shapes or surreal landscapes. It all magically comes out of the blank paper with the movement of the mark maker...
Many art masters & instructors encourage the importance of learning to draw. Find instructors or books that demonstrate the many ways to express mark making, drawing.
Places to look for drawing instruction: On-Line, Library, Art Stores, Community College Classes, Art Schools, etc.
Go to your local art shop and discover the many styles of pencils, charcoals, pens and the various papers available for drawing.
Books about drawing I enjoy & reference:
French Satirical Drawings: Stanley Appelbaum, Dover Publications, Inc. New York
Each page has a full size illustration of the many artists drawing for Paris magazines early 1900's. Shows many expressive styles on a variety of statements through drawings.
Drawing the Human Body: Giovanni Civardi, Sterling Publishing Co Inc, New York
It is an anatomical guide showing detailed drawings of the human figure. This is a must for your reference on the human figure.
The Natural Way to Draw: Kimon Nicolaides, Houghton Mifflin Company Boston
This book is a master course in drawing. It was written in the 1900's and has been reprinted ever since. A worthy read and practice for the serious artist who is self motivated and willing to do the set courses in step by step lesson plans.
