I joined the Victorian Artist’s Society this year because why not. I’m having a break from technology work until I am ready to go back or I run out of money (whichever comes first). It was, I decided, time to get out there and be a BIT active and see what people do.
I’m not a conceptual artist and I’m not a digital artist; I consume that sort of art (you should check out my friend Rosenbaum’s art! It morphs when you look at it through a phone!). I produce physical pigment-on-ground type art and I know practice and tips really help me improve.
I enrolled in a semester of classes on a Monday morning. I was surprised to find out where the location is, right near Parliament station… I used to work literally around the corner, for years, and I never knew this place was here. Bad artist me.
So we had a model today who was great to draw. I have not drawn from a live model since i did the life-drawing short course at Monash uni, about 15 years ago! I joined the group with one other new person, everyone seemed chill which is what you want. Like so many people I do have a bit of social anxiety when going and trying something new.
We just started/launched and the instructor offered tips and hints – which is what I want and need. I’ve done pastel before but have stuck to clouds and sunsets as they are the easiest to do. I really wanted to challenge myself. I think the practice in light/dark/tone in watercolour was really good for me as I got in there and started colouring the tonal shapes first.
It was a 2.5 hour class. I got the picture done in about 2 hours (with a lot of bits of advice)
Not what I would normally do, is it? I fubbed the drawing around the leg/knee, it’s too short. I know, I know.
I had enough time to do a quick study of the hands and fingers .
Next week we get the same pose so I am thinking I will see about getting in his profile and doing more of a head shot. He had a lovely classic straight nose that the picture I did of him doesn’t do justice as the scale is too small.
