New Sketchbook: first drawing

January 01, 2007

New Sketchbook: first drawing

Mike Myers was quoted in a New York Times article about his long leave of absence from Hollywood , “There’s process and there’s product...and when you’re too long on product, you forget about your process.” I understand where he's coming from, which led me to decide that 2007 is the year about process. So I started a new sketchbook and my first entry for 2007 is a figure study in conte crayon after Pierre-Paul Prud'hon. It's not quite the same as drawing from a live model, but the main point is to get back into the practice of drawing. This is a photo of my drawing.

Currently Reading:

A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin

theSeducer by JanKjaerstad

Comments

Still Waters Studio said…

Is the bottom picture your sketch or the picture that you are drawing from? If it is yours, wow! That's really good. Every year, one of my resolutions is to sketch more, especially figure drawing. That usually doesn't happen. Maybe this year.

7:43 AM

jafabrit said…

That is a picture of MY sketch. It is a little off in places compared to the original, but still I am fairly pleased. I do plan to do more studies of the figure, face, hands and feet (from masters drawings, statuary, to live models) in my sketchbook.

7:47 AM

Terry Stanley, The Art Lady said…

Your drawing is wonderful! You make me wonder if you were "classically" trained and if so, what led to the evolution into the much more contemporary work you're doing now? Just a personal preference? Market driven?

8:26 AM

Cynthia said…

I like your new resolution, Jafabrit! I thought about making myself a special sketchbook for the new year, but haven't yet. There's still time...I'm inspired by yours.

The sketch is top notch too!

8:58 AM

jafabrit said…

hum good questions art lady. I haven't had classical training per se.I took drawing 1&2 and life drawing (non classical) at community college, then audited a class with a teacher who taught life drawing classical style and very strict too. I also took a methods of the masters class, after painting 1&2. I don't really have a preference for one style or era of art (I adore classical as much as contemporary). I like to draw and paint in the classical style now and againt to strengthen my technical skills. I didn't really choose to do contemporary work, I just let things evolve as the mood dictates.
Market has had no influence on my developement and what I create since I first started my art journey 11 years ago.
Thanks for dropping by and asking me questions. They help me clarify what sort of an artist I am.

thanks cynthia.

9:55 AM

Susie Q said…

You inspired me to buy a new sketch book and actually keep at it. I am, in no way, as gifted as you but I enjoy it.

You are an amazing talent. The sketch is amazing.

Hugs,
Sue

10:31 AM

Janets Planet said…

I think your process is coming along quite nicely.

1:38 PM

Anonymous said…

that's a great drawing :-) I don't do enough drawing at the moment either.

4:05 PM

Unknown said…

Love the shadows & highlights!

4:44 PM

The Lone Beader® said…

I am amazed at your drawing. I find it quite difficult to draw a human figure.

Also, thanks for stopping by my blog! I'll check out those links a bit later on, but I appreciate your comment. I hope you'll come by again.

Cheers from Boston=:)

7:26 PM

paulmerrill said…

Love the quote from Mike Meyers - and your art reflects that it's working for you!

10:43 PM

Anonymous said…

Thanks for sharing your work .. ditto the other comments... one word say's it all........ WOW. I too have a goal of getting back into the practice of drawing in my list of "wants" for the new year, but I'm afraid it will be awhile before I am willing to share. Practice makes perfect --- and it's been awhile since I've done any practicing.
Nancy Van Blaricom

8:11 AM

Dr.John said…

Great picture as usual. Can you really read two books at one time. don't you get storylines confused?

3:22 PM

jafabrit said…

Hiay dr.john :) one book is non fiction and the other fiction. when the non fiction gets a bit heavy going I switch to the fiction.

4:01 PM

Shez said…

Great start on the New Year Jafa. New Template, New Sketchbook, and a Very Well Done Classical drawing!! Great skills there,Way to Go.:) I've been working on my drawing skills these past months,found it really helps,even just five or ten min every day, I can feel the difference, gives me confidence for one thing.
Do you find it harder to draw males than females? (I do, I think mine look too feminine in their facial features)
Thanks for the stop by my studio.

5:00 PM

Lisa Call said…

Wonderful drawing. You are really quite talented as you can do classic and contemporary work both so well. I think it's wonderful you can switch between the two as your mood desires.

And happy new year (if I didn't already say that :).

7:55 AM

Anonymous said…

Oh, this is stunning. Love it. I think a new sketchbook brings about new beginnings.

My last life drawing class was around 1990. I miss it. It's great for developing hand/eye coordination. Not that you need any... more, more!

1:48 PM

Lynette said…

Wow you are starting off the new Year in a most wonderful way JB! You are so very talented on figure drawing because your sketch is just exquisite...and I also love the new sepia colors of your blog!

7:55 PM

jafabrit said…

I miss the live model sessions and am on the lookout for some in the area.

shez. I don't have a problem or preference for male or female models. I don't put much work into the face when doing life drawing because faces I can do anytime and practice a lot. Getting to draw a live nude model doesn't happen often so my focus is getting the anatomy right. I always remember as I draw what my teacher said: flesh is like drapery over bone and muscle. so I try to get the sense of bone and muscle when I start a drawing.

My fave models are the ones that are either skinny and you can see the bony landmarks, or the fleshy ones and you have to figure out where there bones lie underneath and get the proportions right.

8:04 AM