Thursday, 8 October 2009

Over the Edge

Please indulge me while I moan some more about this drawing module. I really struggled with trying to capture movement last week, only to have another negative tutorial where I was told I was still "edge obsessed"... crikey... is it me? When I see people moving about I see their edges! By the end of the twenty minute phone call I was feeling utterly miserable and useless and none the wiser about how to proceed. It seemed to be a case of go and try again.

Not to be downhearted I went off to life drawing class, where at least I could practise on a non moving target. This chap certainly wasn't going anywhere...

We looked carefully at the skeleton to try to understand how it supports the body and made lots of drawings starting from the inside working out... not starting at the edges!

The teacher was supportive and encouraging and made helpful suggestions for improvements.


And I came home feeling not quite so useless.


The following morning I woke feeling pretty miserable again but ventured into Cambridge where I sat in the corner of the library for nearly three hours drawing people coming and going, moving about. And these are the results....

Probably too many edges and outlines... and as far as I am concerned it looks like a lot of scribble but I am trying hard.

I think part of the problem is that I'm just not interested in drawing people moving about... especially as these drawings have got to be interpreted and developed into a personal interest.

Today I resolved not to think about drawing at all and instead I made some more tea cosies... both commissions. I'm ashamed to admit my friend asked me to make the little one back in March. It was August before I actually got to measure the tea pot and it has taken until this week to track down exactly the right fabric... but I got there at last!

I also thought a little chocolate button therapy was required to take my mind off all the edges (although I can see my own edges expanding rapidly if I carry on eating all this cake).

And just in case that's not enough, tomorrow I'm off to the Knitting and Stitching show to meet lots of friends... some bloggers and some not... and to indulge in a little retail therapy. On the other hand I might be that crazed woman sitting in a corner trying to draw you all moving about.
(without edges of course)
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33 comments:

  1. dottycookie8 October 2009 at 19:21

    Have a wonderful time tomorrow - I'm only very slightly envious! I'm helping with Year 3 science tomorrow ...

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  2. Celia Hart8 October 2009 at 19:26

    Hi Gina - I recognise that 'being tossed about and not knowing where all this is going' feeling ... but I think your tutor is being tough on you because you're talented and she wants to stretch you.

    At Cambridge Art School I had a tutor who walked around with his cigarette packet and a match box, articulating them as the torso and pelvis - and getting us to draw the planes and angles of the shoulders/chest/hips before we did anything else. Even now, when I draw a figure I automatically hear him saying 'shoulders and hips...'

    Have fun tomorrow.! Meanwhile that cake looks very theraputic :-)

    Celia
    x

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  3. Stitchinscience8 October 2009 at 19:26

    Hi Gine, I love your blog, and your stitched work. It is very interesting reading your comments about the drawing exercises. I cannot draw to save anyone's life, and have wondered about taking some drawing course, however, if someone as talented as you can be criticised to this extent, I think I'll stick to my fabrics! Go your own way, whatever you show us is always wonderful.

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  4. Daisie8 October 2009 at 19:28

    Have a lovely day tomorrow, are you meeting with Jackie (dogdaisy)? If you are please give her a hug from me. Oh, and buy lots of luverlies to add to your stash!!
    xxx

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  5. Miriam Weaver8 October 2009 at 20:42

    I think you are being pushed very close to the edge! I'd like to know how you can draw anything without edges, everything must have an edge,even if it's not a solid line or am I wrong?
    Have fun tomorrow, please leave something for me to buy, I going on Sunday. My friend is driving which will make a real change for me and she's booked us in for afternoon tea!

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  6. Miriam Weaver8 October 2009 at 20:43

    I mean I'M going on Sunday.

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  7. Unknown8 October 2009 at 21:20

    Gina, I LOVE those tea cosies! Just gorgeous! As for your tutor - well, it is good to be stretched but not demoralised. Encouraging and inspiring are what he should be trying to achieve...hmm. xx

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  8. LenoreNeverM♡re8 October 2009 at 22:00

    adorable tea cosies!
    That cake me hungry now...my stomach is growling ~hee*

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  9. Sue Krekorian8 October 2009 at 22:04

    I'll be there tomorrow, Gina, pushing or sitting on my dark red rollator frame with a colourful cat shoulder bag, a teal leather bag and probably others, too. It would be great to meet you there.

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  10. vintagerockchick8 October 2009 at 23:32

    Well for what it's worth, Gina, I think your drawings are bloody brilliant, and I think your tutor is downright mean. You poor thing, it makes me even more grateful for my tutor - who happens to be lovely, generous AND talented. So there! See you tomorrow xx

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  11. jennyflowerblue9 October 2009 at 07:51

    The struggle of the artist hey? A level art killed my confidence and love of drawing but ironically the tutors always had the most praise for the work where I totally ignored them and did my own thing!! Chocolate button therapy defiitely theway to go. (are you allowed to use collage to try to capture shape- I am thinking the frantic tearing of sugar paper to get the moving forms?)

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  12. A Spoonful Of Sugar9 October 2009 at 07:55

    Enjoy the knitting and stitching show Gina! I am impressed by your sketches - I wish I could draw.

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  13. Angela9 October 2009 at 09:14

    Your tea cosies are great. Hang on in there with the drawing. Knowing how capeable you are I'm sure it will just happen or the tutor will see sense.Enjoy the show. Retail therapy is always good for you.

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  14. wonderwoman9 October 2009 at 10:55

    i must be being a bit thick, but how can you draw anything without an edge?!!! i think your drawings are marvellous and that your tutor should be far more encouraging! i love your tea cosies, and as for the cake, well that goes without saying! have a lovely day at ally pally.

    xxx

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  15. Aussie Jo9 October 2009 at 13:11

    I agree it's good to be challenged, however a teacher is supposed to teach! Your tutor perhaps could tell you what TO do rather than what NOT to do.
    I think your sketches are showing some great exploration.

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  16. Penny9 October 2009 at 13:28

    I can remember being completely baffled by being told to draw the space in between, not the subject! It is mind boggling, and very disheartening, but the main thing is to keep drawing, every day. Your stuff is great.
    Anyway, those tea cosies are FAB! And, Oh, the chocolate cake! Have fun at K & S. Can't get there this year but it's a great day out xx

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  17. Chrissie9 October 2009 at 15:46

    Gina - I'm not getting into the 'edges' debate - I've no idea what she's talking about! I love your: drawings, teacosies, cake.
    Have a lovely time at K&S - can't get there this year, boohoo, but since I've still got a load of stuff unused that I bought last year, perhaps it's no bad thing!

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  18. Linda9 October 2009 at 16:33

    Jeepers, that drawing sounds too hard. Maybe the tutor needs to accept that everyone draws in their own style.
    Have a great time at the show, no drawing now!!

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  19. Greedy Nan9 October 2009 at 16:38

    That crazed woman at Ally-pally, sitting in the corner, but not drawing, was ME-E-E!

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  20. silverpebble9 October 2009 at 18:15

    I think your pictures are full of movement - especially your new ones. I love seeing your progress with these drawings, even if you're finding it tough - we're enjoying it!

    I hope you had a WONDERFUL time today. Did you see Jackie?

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  21. Anonymous9 October 2009 at 23:28

    Those tea cosies are wonderful!! It looks just like my vicar, only a little slimmer :)

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  22. Jodie10 October 2009 at 07:46

    But we need those edges, they stop our gutses oozing out onto the street......silly teacher !

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  23. Tracey Petersen10 October 2009 at 12:27

    I can't imagine why those drawings would make you feel useless. They're fabulously edgy.

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  24. StitchDraw10 October 2009 at 17:57

    Hi Gina
    I too was at the knitting and stitching show yesterday.
    I love your drawings and personally I'm a big fan of edges!
    Rosie

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  25. Locket Pocket10 October 2009 at 19:36

    I was just thinking about what comment to leave when I saw Jodie's - and now I can't think of anything at all cos I'm laughing too hard! She's hit the nail well and truly on the head there hasn't she?!

    Don't let your tutor get you down - sewing is far more rewarding than drawing in my 'umble opinion!

    Lucy x

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  26. Digitalgran11 October 2009 at 22:02

    I was so happy to have met you at Ally Pally Gina. But I never would have if it hadn't been for Pat. We didn't go home until after 3 so we could meet you and Jackie only to find you had been early, so we just missed you.
    As I told you, I think you are a fantastic artist, so you must not let anyone persuade you otherwise.

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  27. Charlie P12 October 2009 at 20:43

    Oh, don't listen to your art teacher- she obviously needs an eye test! Isn't art all about developing your own style? If drawing 'edges' is what you automatically do, just adopt it as your signature style...it sounds as if the teacher's just making things up because there's nothing to criticise!
    LOVE your innocent smoothie pineapple hat :-D

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  28. walter and me13 October 2009 at 10:07

    Don't be despondent....I really like your sketches and drawing, and it's much better than anything I could produce.

    As for the tea cosies - fabulous!

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  29. JuliaB13 October 2009 at 14:56

    Ahh Gina, I think your pics are wonderful! And your teacosies, and your cake!! yumm yum. Hope the Knitting and Stitching show cheers you somewhat. I think you are very talented. Have your teachers given you any encouraging comments?? xx

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  30. crafty pam13 October 2009 at 18:25

    I saw her art of stitch piece at Ally
    Pally - she certainly is not obsessed
    with her edges!!! Thought her piece was very childlike. SO there.
    Your work is soooo much better.

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  31. Mrs Moog13 October 2009 at 19:58

    I hope the chocolate button therapy and fun at K & S helped to take your mind off your edges! I remember doing a short course where we were told to draw the negative spaces and I just couldn't grasp it!

    I love the sketches you did at the library - they have great movement.

    I had such a great mental picture of you furiously scribbling away at Ally Pally :)

    xxx

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  32. Jenny Leslie13 October 2009 at 21:46

    I remember struggling with moving figures, i went tt a nursery and drew children... but it didn't work very well. I ended up doing monoprint figures.

    Good luck jenny

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  33. LOVE STITCHING RED18 October 2009 at 17:14

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE your tea cosies! Do you think if I commission one for in THREE YEARS time' you might be able to fit me in?

    Carolyn
    xx

    ps. any choccy button cake left begging?

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