in grade school, ever day had a period of quiet time...
usually it was for silent reading and when the order was given, a calm silence descended over the classroom, the only sounds were books being pulled from our desks, pages turning to find the right place to begin
every evening I get into bed and descend into a quiet time of my own, for drawing
the lamp casts a soft light on the page, I flip slowly through the pages of one of my drawing books, looking for something inspiring to copy
something interesting but not too intricate
once found, the sketchbook is also opened, pages turned to find a blank page and, with my pencil in hand, the marks slowly start to scratch across the page
sometimes a quick bird sketch... another day, while feeling somewhat bolder, a larger bird
rocks are a favourite, this one copied from a drawing by Van Gogh
another rock, and the next night, three logs, lying in the grass
these two are my favourite
"notice what you notice" is common advice in the art world
I have come to notice that I love drawing rocks and wood
there's something so calming and restful about being propped in bed, a small pool of lamplight shining down, the house dark and quiet and the only sound is my pencil on the paper
watching as with each mark a shape begins to appear, adding detail refines the image, the almost magical way a few marks in the surrounding area anchor the object to a place, how they add depth to the drawing and create a kind of story
when I first decided to draw at night, I wasn't sure it would be sustainable but I have come to love that quiet time before sleep and for now at least, couldn't be without it
its the most peaceful, thoughtful time of my day
1 comment:
I felt a soft relaxation creeping over me as I read this. It sounds like bliss. Drawing means that the mind focusses on that one thing you are drawing and all other matters fade away.. a wonderful wind down to prepare for sleep. And you get drawing practice too almost as a secondary bonus. It's 8 in the morning here... and now I need to rouse myself out of the mediative state you have pulled me into and start my day lol!. I'll revisit this again tonight.. before sleep.. perhaps with a pencil in hand.
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