Friday, April 03, 2009

"a few lines ..."

Last night was my second life drawing session. This time we had a male model and started with 2-minute croquis.


Followed by 20-minute poses. I used watercolor pencils for the first two. Usually I would use watercolor washes, but the model took folded-upon-himself poses, which I had to figure out (with my slim knowledge of anatomy!) and the lighting was not helpful, that is, it was not strong or directional enough to make dramatic shadows.



When I saw the third 20-minute pose, I thought, I'll never be able to make anything of that, so decided to use pen and do a "modified" contour drawing.

from "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey"
William Wordsworth

For I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes
The still, sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue. And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man;
A motion and a spirit, that impels
All thinking things, all objects of thought,
And rolls through all things.


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9 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

I think you had a very flexible model and you did well to get those poses. Plus, I want to thank you for getting me back to reading poetry after many many years away from it. I now get my poem a day and love it!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laurel,

Your sketches, painted sketches and lovely line drawing are wonderful. Top that off with the poem --one of my favorites because my mother quotes it perfectly -- and this becomes an awesome blog entry.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

Sorry for typo in your name. Maybe you can delete my first comment and leave this one.
Your sketches, painted sketches and lovely line drawing are wonderful. Top that off with the poem --one of my favorites because my mother quotes it perfectly -- and this is an awesome blog entry.

Take care,

Barbara

7:42 PM
Delete

laura said...

No problem, Barbara--I guess you were thinking of Laurel Daniel, who's blog (laureldaniel.blogspot.com) you mention on your blog--I went to see her paintings and would be happy to to be confused with her, even superficially, anytime!
I'd never been a big fan of the Romantics, but I'm coming to a new appreciation of them.

Teresa said...

How timely.... I was just thinking this morning that I should check out the local college's fall schedule and consider signing up for a figure drawing class!

Well done on your sketches - been a while since I tackled figure drawing from life but I well remember how challenging it was.

Cathy Gatland said...

Again the poem complements the art so well - lovely lines Laura, in both! I've never heard the term 'croquis' before - haven't managed to get to our local life sessions yet - I hope to after Easter and a few birthdays and anniversaries are through.

A Brush with Color said...

OMG, it's so nice to come here and see not only great art but also great poetry--lovely, Laura! You did a wonderful job with some really difficult poses. Wow! Good for you!

debwardart said...

Your sketches are great - and so are your magnolias!

Melinda said...

I just discovered your blog from Barbara's blog and am so happy I did. Your work is really good and I love your sketching! Great poses and great line work.

Thanks for sharing the poem!