More Drawing And Other Things

I woke up ridiculously early this morning, especially considering that I did not go to bed until after 1:00 AM. I made the decision not to make the trek to Brookland for the Saturday morning figure drawing session at Washington Drawing Center so I could spend some time finishing a cover letter* for yet another job application, as well as writing here on the ol blog.

I did make it out to various sessions five days this week and five days the week before. One of the drawings from last week:

                                                    Seated Nude With Pole
                                                    Pencil on paper

This was at the Thursday evening session at WDC, which was a single pose for three hours. I had a lot of trouble in trying to land the right shoulder correctly and I never really got it. The face however does actually somewhat resemble the model in question. I seem to be making progress there.

                                          Lying Nude
                                          Pencil on paper

This was done the following afternoon in another three hour, single pose session at Washington Studio School. I undersized the head and thus the figure was too small in relation to the page. I briefly contemplated redrawing the figure, but instead made the decision to fill in more of the background detail. I liked the feeling of it being a more finished drawing as opposed to just a study of the figure, so when I got home I worked on it some more.

                                         Lying Nude
                                         Pencil on paper.

There may be a little bit more poking I do with this, but for the moment I think I could call this done.

This week felt like taking a step back. It seemed like nothing I put on paper in any way resembled the model in front of me. Very frustrating. But in light of frustrations with the elections (and the appallingly low voter turnout) and with the job search, it may have just been my week to be frustrated.

I did manage to spend some time Thursday evening working on a portrait, which although it does not resemble the model as well as I would like, does at least somewhat resemble a person.

                                          Untitled
                                          Pencil on paper

I am still looking for people to sit for portraits, so if you have any time free and don't mind my not showing you the drawing, I would appreciate anyone who would indulge me.

In other news, the job search continues. I have begun looking out of the DC area, although I would really rather not move if it can be at all avoided.

In a figure drawing session a few weeks ago I ended up giving an impromptu seminar on color in light and human visual perception, and it gave me an idea about putting together some sort of workshop for visual artists about the effect light has on color and how the human eye sees. This will require some more noodling.

Well, I should get back to cover letters and then the easel.

Peace in yer crease.

* I HATE writing cover letters. Why can't I just say "I am fucking awesome and you should hire me!"?