Monday, October 01, 2007
ArtPact #32
There I was, trapped in a vicious circle. I had this incredible photo I took at the cafe, of the lady with the hat, trying obediently follow what I was taught: study the shapes and values, make a value plan - and I got stuck. I know it's supposed to be the right way to go, but every time I do this, it somehow drains the fun out of it. All of a sudden, creating a painting turns into a list of chores, of do's and don't-do's, which frustrates me beyond belief.
At times like this, I wonder whether I should just delve into careless painting, throwing all the rules aside, and get the first version out of my system. Perhaps then I can go back and work on it more methodically? Or, perhaps I am not quite the methodical painter? Could it be that value plans work for some artists, while others have other ways to get to a painting? Or, maybe there is no right and wrong? Why do birds sing? Do angels exist? What's the time?
And then, as I was getting into this destructive over-pondering mood, WackieM launched her online "class", which is what made her start a blog in the first place. As she puts it: "My blogger plan was to create challenges for myself and to encourage others to join in". She posted the first drawing challenge on Friday, and pretty much threw me a life vest. Now I had a distraction, an excuse to get out of my over-analysis whirlpool and follow her challenge, which was all about line. No values, no existential questions.And so, I cheerfully dropped the hat and the lady, and took the gauntlet dropped by WackieM. Reverting to my comfort zone, I tried doing my self-portrait in that wire-drawing technique that she demonstrated. You basically draw as if you are creating a wire sculpture, allowing the wire to twist and wrap and bend. the only rule: all lines need to connect.
I am a line painter - to me, line is the best and most glorious design element. I love lines! and I mostly love open lines and lost edges that leave room for imagination. So, I thought it's going to be a trivial little exercise, but then I realized the challenge in it: wire drawing forces to connect all lines, and think of the necessity of each and every line. Working on a face, it also forced me into thinking of the planes of the face, rather than the features.
It was a wonderful exercise. I did a first drawing, loved the result, and decided to try and make it more minimal, getting just the essence.
Hmm... I got totally carried away, forgetting the goal of the exercise and just enjoying the process.
So much for minimalism on that one. Nice hair, eh?
And then, after I was done messing with my own face, I decided to get back to the lady with the hat. Something about her is haunting me, forcing me to paint her, and I see a series coming. These little drawings actually speak to me more fluently than the value plans I attempted here. I guess w'all speak different visual languages.
It still has a long way to go, a journey even, but - my enthusiasm is back! So, thank you, WackieM!
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# posted by Nava @ 10:32 AM 
Comments:
These drawing of the hat lady are great!!! I especially like the treatment of the hand and the head. I think you are on to something!
# posted by 
: 10/01/2007 6:58 PM
how many differences are we supposed to find between the two pictures?
# posted by : 10/01/2007 7:51 PM
WackieM, a compliment on the hand coming from you - now, that is something!!! Thanks - it's a great tool you provided us with!
TexieD, you are such a nice guy, and so well dressed. Good for you!!. . .
Congratulations on the wire portraits – the second one is a real gem!!!
# posted by : 10/01/2007 8:21 PM
Fantastic portrait - particularly that hair!!! Line is certainly your thing!!
# posted by : 10/01/2007 8:57 PM
A value plan??? Jeepers, I thought that only happened in corporate america, how disillusioning that artists have value plans!! :-)
And I simply cannot help myself ... the old lady in the hat looks an awful lot like Maxine!
I feel your excitement.
It's good to see you having fun with this.
:)
# posted by : 10/03/2007 3:31 PM
It's great to hear you're enthused again! After my li'l windy trip, is takin' me a few to get back there 'bout a bunch o' stuff. Baseball playoffs start tonight for my tribe though. Hopefully that'll kick me started, eh.
Gots lots o' Maxine lubbers 'round my office space. Your hat lady does have a 'semblance; at least as lines.
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# posted by : 10/01/2007 6:58 PM
: 10/01/2007 6:58 PM # posted by : 10/01/2007 7:51 PM
: 10/01/2007 7:51 PM TexieD, you are such a nice guy, and so well dressed. Good for you!!. . .
# posted by : 10/01/2007 8:21 PM
: 10/01/2007 8:21 PM # posted by : 10/01/2007 8:57 PM
: 10/01/2007 8:57 PM And I simply cannot help myself ... the old lady in the hat looks an awful lot like Maxine!
It's good to see you having fun with this.
:)
# posted by : 10/03/2007 3:31 PM
: 10/03/2007 3:31 PM Gots lots o' Maxine lubbers 'round my office space. Your hat lady does have a 'semblance; at least as lines.
