Friday, April 02, 2010

Drawing Exercises

DrawingExercises

I have been reading The New Creative Artist by Nita Leland. I am really loving this book. I borrowed it from the library but I think at some point I may buy it. It is filled with so many wonderful ideas and exercises. Some you may know already if you have taken any art classes. Like contour drawing. I haven't done this exercise in years. I worked from my daffodils I bought today. The drawings on the left side are pure blind contour drawings.  That is when you look at your subject and draw without looking at your paper at all. The ones on the right are controlled contour drawings. You can look a bit. And on the bottom right I drew with my left hand and didn't look. This was quick and fun. I have been doing many of these. They don't take long and are great drawing exercises. I am getting back into seeing things.

10 comments:

Louise Gale said...

oooh i so need to get back to basics i think....these are cute sketches! LOVE the fact its SPRING! YAY! Enjoy the rest of the weekend sweetie. x

Juliette Crane said...

i think i need to check out that book. sounds super fun and i just love changing my perspective on things to find new ways of seeing. thanks for mentioning sark's class as well. i think i just might need to check that out too:)
xoxo, juliette

Kolleen said...

sounds like a fun and interesting book....

it is neat to look at all the differences from looking a little to not looking at all!

so happy you are getting back to "seeing" things again!

happy saturday!
oxoox
k

Inner Toddler said...

I love the blind contour drawings. I actually think that kind of drawing with a splash of watercolor after, is absolutely charming. and a really good exercise in letting go. well done!

Concetta said...

Oh you are soo right, its all about seeing. Thank you for sharing your process here, its great following you. And I will be re reading the dream list on hols this week. Happy Easter lovely lady. x

AG Ambroult said...

I love contour drawing, and especially blind contour drawing! there's just something about those un-fussy blind ones. They really have a impulsivity to them. My girls and I do that every now and then and they get a real kick out of it. We all look at what we drew "blindly" and laugh and laugh.

Kate England said...

This sounds like a blast! What a great way to get tuned into a creative freedom and - a sense of trust? VERY inspiring, thank you for sharing this!

Wini said...

Hi Dana, I love the daffodils you bought! The book you mentioned sounds great! I haven't done any contour drawing since I was a student. Thank you for the reminder. What a great way to loosen up and let go!

jacqueline said...

Dearest Dana, i love how you are getting back to the basic! Loving your illustration. Hope you had a great easter weekend! Have a lovely week and love to yoU!

Mika said...

Cute sketches love your blog. Back soon. Mika (www.mikascrap.typepad.com)