In June of 2011 I really wanted to start focusing on drawing more realistically. Despite my adoration for Danny Gregory and my gratitude for his books and support of the every day artist, I wanted at this point to get back to the pencil. I wanted to strive for more accuracy in my work.
I took a book that had long been shelved down and started going through it again. The classic that had been given to me by my mother when I was about 13 was Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I remember it was both incredibly fun and somewhat tedious back then. I had so many varied interests that it didn’t take long before I’d lost interest in doing the book work – maybe a month? I’d done a lot of the drawings and gotten through about halfway, but hadn’t finished it. I still haven’t finished it. Hmm… I guess that one will go on my book bucket list.
Here is me doing one of the exercises
Me Drawing on the Bed
Just looking at this picture I cringe. It’s not good lighting, good posture, good way to hold my pencil, etc. But it was fun. I have certainly learned a lot. Sure you can do fun and great drawings from in bed. But you’re doing yourself no favors if you can work within a better set up.
I chose a beat up old camera we’d bought at a flea market somewhere for like $5.
I wanted to try a slow pace but to also not go back over and over the same lines. My years of drawing with pen and ink had increased my confidence and I quickly turned this:
Just started…
Into this:
The bed was just a crappy outline and there are issues with it. But for 45 minutes and for having just that day picked up a pencil again? I am still happy with this drawing 🙂 It makes me feel great. I love all the wonky lines and imperfections. Even in trying to capture something realistically you have room to play. That sketchy quality doesn’t take away from the art or attempt or even an ability to tell what the item is. It only adds a fun and charming aspect to the work for me.
Rebecca Galardo Art 