Tag: drawing

Sharing A Day Out

I had the opportunity to take my young niece to the zoo the other day. I purchased the tickets online the day before and hoped my niece had not changed her mind about going.

Fortunately she is creative. So with my sketchbook in my hand and my niece by my side we went to explore what the zoo had to offer.

It was a typical February morning – dull, overcast and quite chilly. It was not surprising to find a number of empty enclosures. With many of the animals preferring to look out at us from the warmth of their hides and homes.

However the ducks love the wet weather, so I began to make some drawings and it wasn’t long before I had to share my sketchbook. It was great to see both our drawings side by side on the same page.

By lunchtime some weak wintery sunshine had come out. We had found penguins, zebra, tortoises, deer, owls, monkeys, pelicans, cranes, warthogs and meerkats. There were notices on some of the enclosures showing visitors how to “sign” for the deaf. We really enjoyed learning these together.

We had a lovely day together. I took a few photographs but they did not capture the real essence of the day. It is now wonderful to have these drawings in my sketchbook. We did laugh at the meerkats who remained in their warm house trying to get as close to the overhanging heat lamp as they could.

Saying “Thank You”

On the way home we stopped at the local garden centre and had some lunch in the café. While we waited for our food my niece asked for some paper from the sketchbook and began to draw.

When we had finished our lunch I duly paid. And she gave the member of staff this colourful “thank you”. She was told it would be displayed on the staff noticeboard.

https://www.newquaygardencentre.co.uk/the-potting-shed/

This blog is dedicated to my niece as my “thank you” for sharing a very special day out.

Now, where shall we go next time?

2023 – My Weekly Project

Week 15 – Drawing from a Distance

This year I have been attending a regular fortnightly life drawing group. We all set up our easels or drawing boards and there is a tendency to work close to our support.

So what happens when we give ourselves a bit more distance?

Setting Up

For this week’s challenge I attached a length of paper to the outside of my studio using a staple gun. A piece of charcoal was bound to the end of a stick with masking tape. It was around 4pm, a little cool but the sun was still shining.

Our garden is surrounded by trees. I just love being in the company of trees and I have two very close to my studio. A natural choice of subject for my distance drawing.

Lines of Enquiry

I began by simply looking at the tree beside me. My first marks on the paper were light as I worked out the balance of the stick and charcoal. A bird sang out loud and clear. I thanked it for it’s encouragement.

The lower part of the trunk of the tree showed quite clearly the ageing process. Further up the “rings” around the trunk softened and it was interesting to note the junction where a branch had grown out and away. Intense growth lines indicated the amount of energy in a short space of time needed to give life and direction to this new offshoot.

Drawing and thinking go hand in hand. The tree exhibited it’s early life and growth through many seasons. The strength and resilience to support and give life to the many branches going off in all directions. There is also the promise of lots of wonderful foliage to look forward to in the coming months. Hopefully to give much needed shade in the warm sunny days.

More Space = More Understanding

Standing further away from the support I was more comfortable than I expected to be. Working outside was also liberating. After the long winter confined to indoor life it is so important to get outside.

During this challenge I have gained a new appreciation and understanding for the need at times for periods of intense working to add a fresh branch to creative thought, skills and knowledge.

The work has been left in situ for the time being. I can see it from the cottage and it will encourage me to extend my studio space out into the garden in the coming weeks.