Sketchbook Day 4

Further drawing ideas after seeing the Tracey Emin exhibition (and the Watercolour exhibition - again) yesterday, including adding text and drawing on patterned grounds. I also loved the way she used monoprinting as a method of drawing so more about these idea later. I loved her enormous stitched applique blankets and noticed that close up, the tiny regular stitching  around the edges of the applied shapes did not reflect the 'spontaneous' way in which the shapes were cut, the rather flamboyant fabrics chosen and and the sentiments expressed. I wonder if this indicates a gentler, more meditative mood when she actually stitches - her own therapy. Perhaps we all might identify with that.

In the meantime, I hope you are all making progress with drawing some simple objects - just one a day will give you a gradual sense of progress. If you can manage more than that would be wonderful, so don't just stop at one.

TODAY'S TASK - Continue using lines to suggest the form of your shapes. Be sensitive to the type of line you need to convey. Notice the difference between the sharp broken edges of the egg shell and the lines which are needed to suggest the outside curve of the form which is no line at all really, just the 'horizon' of the curve. When you have lightly drafted the overall shape onto your page (see yesterdays 'tip') draw your lines with more attention to the character of the lines. Keep your eye going back and fore between the object and the sketchbook page to note all the little 'hiccups' that make this a line which is specific to this part of the object. Some lines I've recorded today are wide, soft lines as they denote shadows that extend from the edge I was drawing.

TODAY'S TIP - To help you record these differences to the lines, you could change the way in which you make your mark or change the type of marker. If lazily using the same pen, as I have here, try holding it in different ways as you draw to suggest the craggy line compared with the smooth, almost invisible line. Consider drawing onto a wet surface if your marker reacts to it. I discovered a new 'toy' at Urchfont's Open Day - a paint brush that holds its own water - you just squeeze it to release a drop of water - such fun. There are different sized brush heads and of course I had to have them all. This one below (yellow) is a fine point and has been used to smudge some of the pen lines and to make a damp line on which to draw with the pen.

I have continued drawing my egg shell and love the simplicity of the sparse lines that suggest its form. It's interesting to note that you think you are being objective about the drawing when you start to find it suggests associated thoughts. Write these thoughts down and perhaps make them part of your drawing. My favourite quote from Tracey Emin which is so appropriate to this stage of the Sketchbook project - 'just where do you draw the line?' Perhaps she wasn't actually referring to the activity of drawing at the time!