George Square

Last weekend I went to the Glasgow Merchant City Festival - which was a bit of a first for me, as I have always previously avoided such things, being pretty deaf.
However, recent emails between myself and the lovely Nigel Cox has encouraged me to use photographs of strangers. In particular, I want to explore movement more by using reference material of dancers/trapeze artists/acrobats etc. It seems to me that line and wash is a perfect match for such subjects - and hopefully I will be posting proof of this sometime soon.
The whole thing was much more enjoyable than I expected - especially the dance - not sure why it had never occurred to me that dance does not really need the music to be enjoyed.
Anyway, before all the dancing started, I managed a couple of urban sketches, one of the George Square Lions and the other of the back end of the City Chambers.

To end the day, I went and saw Grim(m) Tales at the suggestion of Moira Buchanan and was suprised to see Anna, one of my models! (The show is brilliant and they are on during the Edinburgh Festival - I strongly recommend going and seeing them!)

Cattitude and Life Drawing

Recently I met a cat sitting amongst rose bushes outside Glasgow University Library. As I had partially gone there to paint and having all my stuff with me, I took the opportunity to quickly draw her - and I am so glad I did, as not only did I make a new friend (although she wasn't quite friendly enough to come out from the roses) but I discovered that doing three minute sketches at atyn had prepared me for animal painting - not only in the speed used, but also in the skill of capturing the essentials of a pose.



I feel this is even more important with animals (especially cats!) than with humans, as they are often more expressive through their posture than we are - Another cat-friend of mine (in the loosest sense - he is my neighbour's cat, and has taken daily delight in hissing at me on the stairwell) is never less than composed and commanding - even when watching the other neighbours dog, as can be seen in the second painting.



Whereas the third painting shows my childhood pet (who lived for 24 years!), who was almost a disgrace to catdom in having virtually no dignity and unlimited curiosity about everything and everyone. When we were moving, and showing people round the house, she had to be put in her basket and taken to a friends - otherwise she would follow people around and talk to them. She even joined in on conversations on the phone . . .

Anyway, my point really is that life drawing really does prepare you for everything - and helps you decide where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

Expect much more animals in future . . . .

Neocolor 2

This is my first trial of a neocolor crayon that I picked up when in the art store the other day . . . Recently I have been thinking a lot about drawing and process - partly as it seems to me to be the next thing to learn and partly because it is frustrating to spend hours in the life class and have little to show for it.
So, I am thinking that either I need to start selling my drawings (Etsy) or be able to use them to make paintings.
The average class has a variety of timed poses - the quick ones seem to lend themselves to outline drawing, with maybe a colour addition for tone. Longer can be used for oil sketching (but need at least 30minutes!).
So, that's sorted. But what do I do with them next? put them in a pile? re-interpret them in different colours/medium etcetera? use them as a basis for a painting?
Presently do all three - this particular drawing is based on both a drawing and a photo I did when the lovely Anna was modelling for me recently. I painted her when she was here as well, and in due course there should be oil paintings appearing, quite possibly with one using the same pose.