Monday, August 24, 2009

8.24.09 R.Blake

My efforts to quit "sketching" (because it builds bad habits) and draw thouroughly instead is causing my drawings to become very large. This sketchbook is 17'' x 24'' page to page
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6 comments:

  1. David HohnAugust 25, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    I'm curious what you mean by sketching causing bad habits?

    Not to say that I don't like these drawings. They are really good, but what are you looking for in these drawings?

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  2. Robert BlakeAugust 25, 2009 at 11:09 PM

    Sketching causes your hand to fall out of sink with your mind. With these drawings I'm exercising diligent observation and data recording. Everything is shapes in space, from the positive and negative space that make up the larger of the image down to the details and the tone. Its all shapes. And a very liberating way to approach drawing.

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  3. David HohnAugust 26, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    I find it interesting all the various definitions of "sketching" that people have.

    One instructor at AiPD feels that it must involve a line making tool, others feel that it must be "quick", even more feel that to be a sketch it must be outdoors. I tend to think that all forms of mark making and recording of information (be it literal or conceptual) fall under the heading of "Sketching".

    In any case, congratulations on your current approach to drawing -- I agree it is "all shapes". This has been my own approach for so long that I can't imagine another method. Out of curiosity, how did you think of/approach drawing prior to this?

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  4. Lee White IllustrationAugust 27, 2009 at 2:14 PM

    I'm not sure if I agree that sketching causes your hand to fall out of sink with your mind. It's up to the artist to interpret a scene. You pick the approach to the sketch and what you are actually drawing. You can mindlessly copy if you like. I'm not sure that I know many people who draw that way though. Most of the time it's like "Wow, that tree is really big. How can I show that scale?" THat kind of thinking is interpretive vs. just recording data. You can use the scene as reference for what you draw in the sketchbook.
    What do you mean by "drawing thouroughly"??

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  5. Lee White IllustrationAugust 27, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    oops, "sink" should be spelled "sync". Like N'Sync!

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  6. Robert BlakeAugust 30, 2009 at 12:13 AM

    I don't know what I was doing prior, I think I was focusing on the physical drawing but not actually focusing on 'looking' or how my mind interprets information. I credit David Hockney for this completely - its some amazingly attentive and focused observation. Most his pieces/paintings are done in one sitting.
    (also a big influence on james jean's drawing)

    Drawing thoroughly - my drawings are a result of how closely I'm observing the subject matter, not just being accurate but really investigating. Sorry explaining this over brief postings is like trying to write in purgatory.

    yes my spelling and grammar suks I need to go back to grade school

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