In my last post I said that I considered each of my drawings to be a failure as well as a success. I'm not saying that this viewpoint is correct . . . so . . . maybe I should change it. What I wanted to accomplish in this drawing was drawing both arms in this position. Usually in a drawing I add one thing (as in one arm) and not another (as in two arms). This time I was all in . . . success!
Drawing a Degas is like reading a good book or working on a crossword puzzle . . . the process is a delight. I would like to advance to full color or at least draw a tube of paint and/or a paintbrush in my next 'Degas'. My other work has not been coming along very well - but indeed - I have a plan . . .
As I reflect on my purpose - that is - to learn how to draw better - I have to ask myself - 'have you learned how to draw better?' Perhaps a little. So far I consider each drawing a success as well as a failure.
It's funny - on that first ballerina pencil drawing people said 'I like the pencil.' (The one with the ballerina with the blue headband.) I agree with you. The ballerina looks under stress from having a pencil poking her in the back. The one thing I have accomplished is falling in love with those cheek circles. Why that's such a party - I don't know. Please don't take them away from me now!
Anyway, every artist who loves ballet and Degas will always find themselves copying his magnificent work. Even when Degas is 'doing nothing' (like a quick sketch) - he is doing something. In this drawing my purpose was not to make a direct copy - but to add the heart of Myra to Degas. But, all I had in me was those little cheek circles. Ah well . . . move along Myra . . .
Here is the sketch that I was working from. Of course I couldn't draw that unique Degas face so I put my own touches on the drawing. The other photo is my little studio dog Tiny as Degas. When people see that little face they just want to kiss it . . . but if you try . . . he will bite you . . .
Trying to work it out with this drawing . . . a nice practice sketch. I learned how to make her hair look somewhat curly - make circles with the pencil - duh!
I want to do a series of 'women drinking coffee'. The art of Modigliani lends itself well to a type of work that I like . . . this is Modigliani 'myra' style.
He's in my green box because while he may make figurative work look somewhat simple - for the learning artist it really is not. I would really like to capture the soft, beautiful colors of her top in watercolor. Ah well . . . the future!
So with this drawing I wanted to fill in the hair and still work on realism. Why do I like those cheek circles? Some questions should not be answered - just enjoyed!
Today's green box is of course Degas. This box should be a very deep, dark green. I chose this image because I am always fascinated when women paint magnificent tow trucks and men bring such lovely, feminine qualities to the art of the ballet.
