Quick Sketches

3/11/2010 02:54:00 PM Posted In , Edit This 16 Comments »
These are a couple of sketches I did using a ballpoint pen.   I can see issues with both of them, but the one that bothers me the most is the girls mouth.  Ink isn't real forgiving, that's for sure.   Quick sketches aren't my strong suit, although when I see what others can do quickly, I'm inspired to get better at it.  I read about artists doing collages and they say, "I just sit down with all of my scraps of paper, paint a background, start stamping and gluing and this is what I did".  Others say things like, "I sat in a coffee shop and this person kept moving so I had to finish him in about 3 minutes".  Collages can take me days and days .... an ATC can take me an entire day as I worry and fuss with it.  Drawings take me a long time ... they just do.  So, I think I might start setting a timer, do a sketch, and when the timer goes off, bang!  The drawing is over.  I'll pretend the model just walked away .... even if it's my cup of tea that I'm drawing. 



P.S.  Don't forget to leave a comment on the "giveaway" post if you want to be in the drawing.  You have the rest of today, tomorrow, and Saturday, then I'm doing the drawing thing on Sunday.  Be sure to check back to see if you won! 

16 comments:

donna said...

These look terrific. I think the girl's mouth adds interest, maybe like the Mona Lisa?

Alex said...

Nicely drawn lines. I can see that all that you did learning from the masters helped a lot in making definitions in your sketches.

Lynn said...

Her eye is just beautiful! I'm a slow, careful drawer myself, although I long to be quick and confident. Maybe some day with enough practice I can speed it up.

Sandy in Michigan said...

In the past I've always carefully drawn out my paintings in pencil, erasing and redoing as I went along. Lately I've been trying to sketch straightaway with a pen and the effect is so different. It's like comparing apples and oranges. I love them both. And I love your very sensitive drawings -- the contrast is a real eyecatcher

Marilyn Harris Mills aka Maer said...

good shadows on the male...and great eyes on the female!

EVA said...

It looks like she is lost in thought, chewing on her lip. A very realistic if unconscious habit! What is she thinking or worried about?

Both are very nice! And great to have the courage (and skill!) to draw without pencil first!

Unknown said...

Oh I do know about the unforgiving nature of pen! These are wonderful though! I love the hair on the guy! And the girls mouth looks a little messed up, but I think it's just that the two halves of the drawing aren't quite aligned correctly. She does have a great eye!

One of the books I plan to give away in the next few days is called "Fast Sketching" by David Rankin. Be sure to comment when I get that up! There is room in the art world for both types of drawing, but I think it is a great skill to have, to get something down quickly!

Timaree said...

I don't think the girl's mouth is wonky at all. Haven't you ever seen someone sort of chew on their lip trying to keep from saying something? That's just what this looks like. I feel like she is very real looking because I am waiting for her to speak up.

I am glad to hear there is someone else who has trouble with time. I have never been fast at anything in my life and doing my art is the same way. I think you have a good idea for sketches though with the timer. I wouldn't use it for an ATC or some other project but for trying to sketch everyday and trying to learn to do it faster it's a great plan.

Anonymous said...

These are great sketches. I don't think that the girl's mouth is all that bad. If anything she reminds me of Lisa Presley.

arlene said...

They are both really good! I luv the look in the girls eye! intrigue..
the page around her mouth/chin area looks a little offset...is it on a fold or????

I like them!
hugs
arlene

Anonymous said...

Very brave of you to draw with a ballpoint pen - an an excellent result!
Sometimes I read what you write and see that it applies to me. I too am slow at my sketching and wish I could do the fast sketches that some others manage. Oh well, perhaps that will come in time.....!

Sarah said...

Fast sketching takes a lot of practise, that's for sure. But not everyone wants to do it - sitting down and drawing slowly is something very differnt - something I don't do enough of. I can really see here how your master's drawings have helped you develop - and i think the girl just looks like she's biting her lip. Well done!

Anonymous said...

I like reading about everyone strong and weak points, it shows that there are so many ways. I like fast drawing and I force myself to stay longer on a piece...we are never satisfied!
I love your ball point drawings, and to me too the girl seems to be biting her lip, thinking.
Thank you for your nice comment.

Ramona Davidson said...

I'm also one of those people for whom things are not quick. I love your sketches. They are really good.

Jennifer Edwards said...

I actually think, Nancy, that whether one draws fast or slow is a matter of personality more than it is how much practice one gets. To be sure, one would gain in putting lines down more assuredly and less labored with more practice. But some folks enjoy and need the time to spend on it, while others are perhaps impatient (like myself) and are just wired to be a little faster at it. Perhaps?? I LIKE the mouth here on this girl...it makes her look like she is biting it a bit. Whether you intended that or not, it doesn't look too "off". Nicely done!

Unknown said...

Hi Nancy, I like her mouth - makes her more interesting.