Sketch 5-26-08 -- Molly

Sketch 5-26-08 -- Molly
Charcoal

Molly was a frequent model in our drawing classes at California Art Institute in the 1990's. Drawn from life.

Sketch 5-25-08

Sketch 5-25-08
Charcoal

This was a student exercise, copied from another artist.

Head sketch 4-08-08

Head sketch 4-08-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Luscombe sketch

Luscombe sketch
Charcoal on newsprint
The Luscombe Silvaire was a popular light plane in the decade following WWII.

Head sketch 3-25-08

Head sketch 3-25-08
Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch after Loomis 3-23-08

Head sketch after Loomis 3-23-08

Charcoal on newsprint

Head quick sketches

Head quick sketches
Charcoal on newsprint
These very small heads were done with a time limit. I don't remember, but they were probably two minutes each. The main purpose of a quick sketch is to practice making starts -- to go from blank paper to a decent start. The start of a drawing is the most critical part, where the main dimensions are established. After that, you are working with smaller shapes, and they are easier to position because you already have major reference points. Another purpose for quick sketches is to practice a particular "spacing and placing" technique, such as vertical and horizontal alignments. You want to improve the accuracy of your drawings and also develop fluency. Fluency (as in language) is the ability to see shape relationships easily and place them on paper or canvas without struggle. It's a product of mileage (volume - practice - experience).

The main problem I have with quick sketches is my tendency to want to speed up and get as much done as possible. So I often get sloppy. It's better to do less and do it more accurately. You develop more skill that way. Perfect practice...

Head sketch 3-20-08

Head sketch after Loomis 3-20-08
Charcoal on newsprint
I often draw heads and figures on the same page on my sketch pads (and sometimes airplanes and basic forms - cubes, cylinders, and spheres), so they have an eclectic appearance. "Eclectic" sounds better than "unorganized". I decided not to crop out the figure quick sketch on the right.

Head sketch 3-18-08

Head sketch 3-18-08
Charcoal on newsprint

Head sketch 3-17-08

Head sketch 3-17-08
Charcoal on newsprint