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.
