the view from here

Such a tool (1)

I scanned this drawing from my sketchbook. I thought it might be fun to do a series on tools. But I got busy and stopped after a pair of scissors and this pair of pliers. Still a good idea though -- it gives me a chance to look at something analytically and it doesn't take that long to do. 30 minutes tops. 

I like drawing with a fine point pen as a matter of convenience -- I have fine point pens laying about everywhere -- in my home, studio and purse. You could say it's my go-to drawing implement. 

Every time I finish one of these quick studies, I wonder why I don't do this more often. 

Did somebody say "funnel"?

As a Graphic Design major, I was required to take Object Drawing as a core course. It was really quite different from the drawing courses I had taken during my freshman year where we drew mostly from nude models. In object drawing, we concentrated on manufactured items -- bottles, blocks, funnels, etc. -- and we all drew from a limited selection of objects. I remember this class had a slow, methodical, analytic pace. I was sometimes impatient to get on to the next more complex object but our teacher did a good job getting us to slow down, focus, and think about what we were drawing.

  

 

Sketching

 I'm trying to get into the habit of sketching. I carry a small sketch book and pen with me so I can get some sketching in while waiting for the bus, standing in line at the Post Office -- sitting in the subway in this instance. I drew these two Red Line passengers during the 15-20 minute ride from Downtown Boston to Harvard Square. These guys were such good sports for letting me draw them. I try to be discreet but after a while, my subjects get the feeling they're being watched. 

I'm noticing a lot of hesitation marks when I sketch. Maybe I'm just building up surfaces or maybe I'm just rusty. It will be interesting to see how my drawings change over time -- if they do change, that is. Only time (and drawing) will tell.

 

Here we are

Well it sure has been a while since the last post.  

I want to try something new. I thought I'd post one of my drawings every week. I've always enjoyed drawing so I thought I'd share some of my work. I've also been going through my files and have unearthed a few old chestnuts -- please don't mind the mixed metaphor.

I did this drawing in my sophomore year at RISD. I think I copied it from a newspaper clipping from the 1930s. It's graphite pencil on paper, measuring about 9 x 12 inches. 

When I went to RISD we used to have a room called the the Clipping File and it was a treasure trove of visual references clipped from newspapers and magazines. I'm trying to remember the organizational system the keepers of the clipping file employed but it's all a mystery now. I do remember the folks who worked there insisting on re-filing everything themselves -- they pretty much didn't trust us students to file our clippings back into the appropriate files. You could check out the clippings, much like a library book. And you returned it when you were done, or when it was due. 

Now we have Google Images. I harvest images from my searches -- I like to keep my own digital clipping file; nothing spectacular -- just a few folders containing images birds, hedgehogs, dogs, hamsters, sailboats and arrows. I do miss the Clipping File. Sometimes I would just walk in, stroll by a stack of hanging folders and start browsing. I never knew what was going to catch my fancy and spark my imagination.