Iona's Art Blog: Life Drawing

This term , we have been doing life drawing sessions every Tuesday morning. These sessions are nearly coming to an end.

Here are some of the drawings I produced during the sessions:

These are some quick sketches of John, our model, using pencil. The first a 1 minute sketch and the 2nd a 3 minute sketch.

Here is one of my most successful quick sketches using charcoal:

Here are some more sketches - these took slightly longer.

I wasn't particularly happy with this sketch (above) because the dimensions are incorrect - the back is too wide.

This sketch was quicker and more successful.

This was the sketch I was happiest with as the dimensions are much closer to being correct.

Here is a more experimental sketch where John was constantly moving and changing position. This creates a different and interesting image.

Here are some drawings using a different method - the back of a paintbrush dipped in inc.
I really enjoyed using this method as it was new to me. The inc creates an attractive and bold look.

Although I wasn't happy with the dimensions of this drawing (the head is too small and the leg is too big!) I liked the marks I created and the black background adds a moody impression to the picture.

Here is another sketch using the same method. I believe that the busy nature of the drawing adds character.

Here is a quick 3 minute sketch using the same method. The accidental inc marks and blobs add to the drawing.

We then started using acrylic paints. Here is a painting using only black and white:

I was happy with this - my shading has been successful as it looks quite 3D.

We then painted in colour. This was unsuccessful - I found decision making with the colours quite challenging.

Our tutor advised us to draw quick thumbnail sketches of the model from different angles in order to choose what position we wanted to portray the model i the larger painting.