Those of you who have been reading for the last month will know that I am trying to get a lot better at drawing. I set myself an overly ambitious task, which I can’t keep up with and it probably isn’t a beneficial approach anyway. Making sure you draw every day is not a realistic task to set; this I have learnt. By trying to draw every day, like some kind of chore, takes the focus away from the drawing itself. You need to give yourself time to sit down and examine, this I have not.

Also, just drawing from reference as you see it is also a bad approach. Someone who gave me some feedback the other day told me that Vilppu used to say “don’t copy the model, analyze it”. Copying does not make you improve. You need to really think about what you are doing and why. Look at your drawing and before you look at the subject again to draw the next part, imagine where it should be. Draw from the mind.

I have decided I will still try and complete 31 drawings, except from now (until, umm tomorrow night when I should of finished) they will be much quicker, rougher sketches. Though they aren’t as accurate, because they are quick and erratic, they should quickly become much more dynamic and natural (hopefully). See the below, for the first set of sketchies.

The above are with a 8B pencil and took a couple of minutes each.

I think doing lots of very quick studies is going to be incredibly beneficial. Looks like the ideas I have for paintings of mine will have to hold off even longer. Got to get the basics right first and quick sketches are the way to go.

Roy