Saturday, March 19, 2011

Friday night drawing - last class


My Friday night Drawing class was over last night and we had a life drawing model who was awesome. For the first time I understood why people would want to stay with one model and use them over and over. This woman was young and not gorgeous or anything - but had a well proportioned body with fluid lines and her poses were graceful and natural. I truly understood how one could use her as a model over and over for painting. You could easily ignore the butterfly tattoo on her tummy (ouch).

We did about 19 drawings last night and in the spirit of honesty - I'm only showing the 4 best - but overall it was a good night. We did quick drawings, gesture drawings - 2 minutes at a time. The top one was about 1 minute as my paper fell on the floor and I had to scramble to get it all set up again. Guess I work well under pressure.

Then we tried an approach where you try to stay away from straight lines - I like this wiry approach - lots of room for adjustments.



This last one was done with my left hand - which was hard but surprisingly fun and not as bad as I thought, altho I did run out of room for the head.

At the end of the class, we went to a local gallery opening where Tom had a painting up of him as superman dad. It was a good show, some great stuff some not so great stuff but fun to be out in the city on a friday night hobnobbing with "real" artists and their fan clubs.

Back to real life today - lots to do before I go away next weekend to NYC with my nephews and their mom. We're driving down on Friday night - staying in a swanky hotel (at a discount rate thank goodness) and doing sightseeing on Saturday and Blue Man Group show on Saturday night. If we get the chance I want to pop over to brooklyn to show the kids where I grew up and where I went to grade school. It'll be fun to show them the area...but just thinking about it I got a bit nostalgic. Haven't been back to Brooklyn without my Dad....ever. He loved Brooklyn so much, knew so much about the history, and there was nothing dad loved more than going out for breakfast with me to a local greasy spoon. Whew. Nostalgia wave just hit me. But it's good to remember.

I have to figure out what classes to take this summer. The comic class appears to be an abbreviated one - which I'll take but it's making me realize that I'm going to have to go into Boston in the fall for a professional class if I want to move this genre forward. So this summer I might just take fun class like a watercolor class. I've been so impressed with the work KatieJane is doing that I'd like to try my hand at it. or maybe mixed media. or painting. We'll see...

Have a lovely weekend, send $ thoughts to KJ and her auction this weekend (which I never got my stuff to her to sell, but she understands)

15 comments:

Robin said...

Lovely sketches Mim! (Especially the one you did left-handed! Mon Dieu - c'est incredible!)

I know you will have a blast in NYC with your family - hope you get over to Brooklyn! My ex and I once stayed in the Park Slope area for a bit.....he did some work for B.A.M. Brooklyn is quite cool!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Lynn Cohen said...

Your drawings are all quite wonderful. Love the wiry lines.

I can't help thinking about the model though. Is she cold? Does she have goose bumps on her arms and legs? Will she come to your home to model for you for cheap if you promise a well heated room?

I love your memories of dad and the greasy spoon places to eat.

Have fun with family Mim. You are making new memories for those wonderful nephews of yours! Enjoy!

PS: I saw an article about Paper Clay dolls in CPS I think Jan/Feb 2011. Did you see it? Yours are better than those, but thought you might get some ideas too.

Lori ann said...

So great Mim! i really like these. I would frame that top one, well all of them! you reminded me, when i was in college i modeled for life drawing classes (in high school too, only i had worn a leotard in hs). i wish i had one drawing from that time...

and i knew there was something i forgot, you had asked me where hannah was? in Bushwick! right on the border of Bushwick and Williamsburg. have a most wonderful time with your nephews and if you see a pretty redhead (although she said she's going back to her natural blonde!!) hug her for me!

Janie Emaus said...

Mim - I wish I could draw. Your sketches are great. Have fun with your family. That's what it's all about, isn't it?

Baino said...

You've definitely improved over the course of the classes, the top line drawing is lovely. I have one very similar that a friend gave to me and I treasure it. That Tom is quite an artist? Love the one of him shaving in front of the mirror.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Your sketches are pretty darned good to me. Enjoy your weekend. You will have so much fun with your nephews & their Mom. Going home is always nostalgic to me. Enjoy your time there.

Barbara/myth maker said...

I love the art work you're doing, Mim.
Hope you get to come back to Brooklyn. Your dad will be right with you in your heart, and no doubt watching from above.

sukipoet said...

sounds like you have a great weekend ahead full of good times with family and then memories rising too of your old stomping grounds and your Dad.

you are so lucky to have these class choices and even to be near enough to Boston to take some classes there. I contemplated that at one time from the Cape. Be well, suki

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Great sketches. Sad its over for you but taking a watercolor clase might be fun. Have a fun trip.

studio lolo said...

Super job on all of these Mim! I love the wiry approach. I haven't tried that. And the left-handed one is amazing!

I agree wth Suki, your dad will be right there.♥
Your nephews adore you as much as you adore them.

I love how you continue to seek out classes. You inspire me!

Have fun in the big city with the family.

xo
Lo♥

Katiejane said...

You're impressed with ME??? Thank you for that! I am struggling so hard and I have just given up for the time being! I think your sketches from your drawing classes are fantastic! Whatever courses you decide to take I'm sure you will succeed.
Enjoy the weekend with your family. Yes, you can go home again.

kj said...

i just love the way your pencil moved. you are the real deal, mim.


kj

ps my word verif is
helyasit

i said it out loud and i'll be damned: how true: helyasit!!!

:^)

kj said...

p.s. WHAT? WHAT? lori modeled and didn;t wear a leotard in college?

this news plus my organisms and mr. ryan's nibbles have made for a very interesting time in blogland.

hee hee hee

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Great stuff, Mim. I very much like the wiry one, reminds me of an artist that does wire sculptures, I saw her at a cat show working and it was amazing!

http://www.wirelady.com/

And the one with your left hand? Awesome!

Amanda Summer said...

your drawings and sculpture never cease to amaze....these bring back fond memories of a life drawing class i took in college (i used to sneak into the studio after hours to keep drawing!)

have a grand time on your ny trip dear mim!

xx