One of those ‘Other Mistakes’

Right, so this is somewhat unexpected, but this is also what I do.

Drawing from life has long been a challenging way of refining drawing skills and after neglecting my observation drawing for such a long time, it’s taking me a while to ‘get my eye in’. This is a forty minute drawing in pencil on Ingres paper. Working on toned paper allows me to work on the lighter tones in white which is quite the opposite from normal. It’s a challenge. Buildings and similar structures are easier because divisions and forms are regular but the figure is very rarely symmetrical and the contour is continually changing. I like to think that this helps my looking when it comes to photography and the ability of black and white photography to render form always makes it more appealing than colour which often confuses rather than clarifies.

So one of those other mistakes……..is to spend too much time on photography…….and on smithiesshutter……..rather than on developing my drawing and painting.

Tags: Black & White, Life Drawing, monochrome, Nude, Portrait

14 thoughts on “One of those ‘Other Mistakes’”

throughenglisheyesmark on September 6, 2012 at 6:28 am said:

Excellent work John, consider a time management program so you can do both 🙂 Only joking 🙂

Regards

Mark

Reply ↓
- John M Smith on September 6, 2012 at 11:06 pm said:
  
  You are absolutely right Mark, but I may have to cut back on my posting while I help with preparations for the new season at the camera club and for an open day we are having in November. I like writing as well, and this needs some research, and when am I going to do the painting that has been promised for at least the past three years…..some time management would seem to be the only way….. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
belgradestreets on September 6, 2012 at 9:09 am said:

Great work John, would love to see more of your art! Andy

Reply ↓
- John M Smith on September 6, 2012 at 11:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks Andy……..most of my painting is only half finished. It was life drawing tonight but nothing worthwhile produced, if you want the naked truth………….. Oh, that was terrible… 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - belgradestreets on September 7, 2012 at 12:07 pm said:
    
    😉
    
    Reply ↓
bejono777 on September 6, 2012 at 3:18 pm said:

wow nice….how u make that pict….mister ?

Reply ↓
- John M Smith on September 6, 2012 at 11:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks……… it is a pencil drawing.
  
  Reply ↓
adrianpym on September 6, 2012 at 5:48 pm said:

One thing I cannot do is draw. Talented work John.

Reply ↓
- John M Smith on September 6, 2012 at 11:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Adrian…….it’s very hit and miss though, and I’m lazy so I don’t always measure proportions correctly……..but it’s good to concentrate on something different for a couple of hours.
  
  Reply ↓
seekraz on September 7, 2012 at 2:07 pm said:

What a talent, Sir John…to get the pencil to essentially reproduce what your eye beholds…a beautiful change of scenery. 🙂

Reply ↓
- John Smith on September 7, 2012 at 9:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Scott…….a change of scenery…..and a beautiful view.
  
  Reply ↓
  - seekraz on September 7, 2012 at 9:28 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome…and yes, indeed.
    
    Reply ↓
Helen Cherry on September 10, 2012 at 8:24 am said:

Well, well.. what a delightful surprise to come across this most excellent drawing.. you are clearly a man of many talents John..

Reply ↓
- John M Smith on September 13, 2012 at 12:03 am said:
  
  ………apart from photography and drawing………………yes, quite!
  
  Reply ↓