For Picture Book

A sketch for one of the spreads.

Dreams

“Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” ~ Langston Hughes

Some long due updates

Wow, it has been months, not just one or two but seven, since I updated this blog. I have been busy working on my book, with kids and learning to draw better.

I can't post any work related drawings yet so I post some personal studies instead.

This is a cast study I did recently. I have been learning from Matt at Drawing Tutorials Online since March. He teaches drawing part time at SVA and is a painter who embraces the principles of traditional art that I deeply embody personally. I owe much of my improvements to him and his teaching. His encouragement and constructive feedback challenges me to push myself to the next level. I have a long way to go to be damn good but I love every minute of my time learning, creating and perfecting my work, even during times when I couldn't get things right, even when everyone else was sleeping, even when the result was far from my dream. So, thank you Matt for everything.

Below are some sketches from my sketchbook. Hopefully, I can get some time again to post my progress.

Drawing is everything.

Drawing is everything. I will think about something to write based on the statement at some point.

In the meantime, here is update from my sketchbook.

I added gradation to the background to blend Lauren into the atmosphere. I also added more values to the study. My measurement is slightly off with her head but I am glad I see the mistake.

Thinking lines

It has been a month since my last post. I didn't feel it was that long ago. In this post, I just want to share with you some recent pages from my sketchbook. I have been making conscious effort to draw in my sketchbook at least 5 days a week. My goal is to complete one sketchbook every four months.

Currently I am paying attention to my line studies. Most, if not all, drawings began with a line of some sort. In reality, lines does not really exist in nature. When you look at human figure, you see solid masses. Yet, throughout history, pretty much everyone uses lines as the universal drawing "language" to communicate to their audience/viewer what they see. I think that is fascinating. I will uncover more about lines in my future posts.

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Let the quest begins

One More Drawing is a personal record of my continual quest to become a more proficient artist. The only way to master the art and overcome any shortcomings is routine practice. My endeavour here is to devote to drawing everyday, to get better with one more drawing. I hope anyone who wants to draw or get back to the groove of drawing can find the courage, motivation and inspiration to pick up the pencil.

Subject of study

"What to draw?" one may ask. Draw what you like (to begin with at least). For me, it's the human form and anatomy. I am especially fascinated by the works of great masters who can draw and paint figures. I often say to myself "if only I can draw (or paint) like these masters". I know I can only when I actually get down to doing it no matter what and that I don't give up no matter how bad a drawing turned out. I must have the patience and faith that someday I will get it 'right'.

Artist and classical atelier teacher Juliette Aristides said: "Drawing is an act of will. Anyone can learn to draw. It is a matter of acquiring a series of finite skills that then have infinite applications. Once these skills have been mastered they can then be applied in any way the artist envisions. The difficulty often lies not in learning the skills themselves, but in actually applying them. A certain level of competence in drawing can be acquired by those diligent enough to pursue it. Anyone can learn to draw, but it takes both skill and talent to do it well."

Indeed, to truly master a skill is a lifelong process. And since the act of being diligent with your learning requires time as well as self-discipline and a great deal of sustained effort to persevere, I think it makes sense by starting with a subject that you are truly enthusiastic about. Not only will you more likely to enjoy the drawing process, you may also find yourself discovering more than just drawing itself. For instance, if you love drawing animals, you could also learn about their environment and the history of the natural world. All knowledge and observations will help bring your drawing to life.

The Quest Begins

For those who are new to drawing and do not know how to begin, you may like to try making a list of the things you are most interested in and would love to draw or learn to draw. Once you have done that, you can then decide what is the one subject matter that you would most like to master drawing or painting. It can be still life of fruits, portrait of animals, figure drawing, studies of plants, landscape, seascape, architectures, or even just a hair or two on the floor. The thing is stay true to that subject and grow with it. Since my love is drawing people and had made it as my core subject of study, I then tailor my learning (technically) through drawing human figure. It works for me.

Said enough. Time to get back to my sketchbook.