Drawing from life

Most of us who have had any Art training have spent time in life drawing sessions. I have taken them both as an undergrad and graduate student. I have taught them ( I am not confident in my capabilities there) and have enjoyed various models and instructors. Now I am trying something new. Not a Student. Nothing at stake. No required media. No critique. Just an immeasurable amount of  self-directed experimentation and a copious amount of freedom.

Today we reconvened after a two week hiatus. One of the benefits of moving from Wisconsin to Virginia that I had never imagined was to be able to do life drawing outside in mid-November! So take that Covid, you haven't stopped us! 

Like any exercise, there is both a natural roller coaster of the feeling of competency and joy. Like any exercise, a couple of weeks off also make you stiff! Today was like that. I had felt pretty good the last few sessions; Fluid, confident, focused. But not today. I struggled with which media to use, what to focus on and to avoid the trap of "making something good" .

We had a great model. People do not realize how much difference that makes. When you are getting so intimately connected with a model visually, you can't also avoid getting vibes. Some models are uncomfortable, and it is impossible to draw. Some are just twitchy or itchy and don't realize that when you are striving to get the foreshortening correct and they stretch their leg and reposition it three inches over, it makes a huge difference. But today we had a model who nailed every pose. My props to Katie.

Still, I was very disappointed with my work. I never felt that "artgasm moment"  that makes it all worthwhile. But when I went back and looked at my work I realized that while the final picture may not have been "frame-worthy" I had actually been alive and aware after all. 

In this pose (below) I loved the way she sat so oblivious to all that around her. The hanging hand was so relaxed and her stare into the void in front of her was almost disarming.  She was utterly relaxed and ready to pounce at the same time. 

 (left) This was a five minute pose. I wanted to catch the tension in the top of her body while finding the total "hang" of her leg. I like it and think I found it.

This (below) pose was an amazing feat for the model. The tension in her arm - the appendage that held up everything else was a beauty to behold. 

. There were more, but I think you get my drift. It isn't about making the perfect drawing, but really feeling the pose. This drawing group is the most interesting I have ever had the privilege to be in. The styles and intent are varied and the judgement is non-existent, The atmosphere of being out side is just wonderful.

It was great to remind myself again today, that it is the journey, the experience, the minute of "ah-ha" that is more important than the outcome.

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