The other day I was riding the F Train in Brooklyn and sat across from a woman that was actually snoring she was so deep in sleep. I pulled out my sketchbook and did this quick drawing of her before I had to get off. After all, I knew she wasn’t going anywhere. I only wish I had a few more stops so that I could’ve continued.
I had to do some work this week at the American Museum of Natural History and was able to do a few more quick sketches of people riding the subway. I normally don’t ride the subway when it’s so crowded and I had a challenging time trying to see around people in order to draw the person sitting directly across from me. These were two that seemed to work out alright.
A few days ago I had to take the subway again into the city and was able to do a few sketches of two people sitting across from me –asleep of course. I think I should do a series of drawings titled “asleep on the train.” It seems to be a common element.
I’m looking for someone to share a studio space with me here in Brooklyn (Park Slope). The ideal person would use it during the day 9-5 and I’d use it more in the evening and weekends. It’s perfect for writers, jewelry makers, artists or anyone looking for a creative environment to just get away and do some work. I don’t want to divide the space with a wall and would rather leave it open with a possible curtain that could be pulled across the middle of the space if need be. It’s $525 per month and is an incredible space with plenty of light and high ceilings.
Here are a few photos of the space. The current tenant is leaving the end of this month.
Please comment if interested.
Dave
Another Saturday and another open drawing session at Brooklyn Arts Gym. Today we had an african american male model that was quite muscular. I did a few different drawings of him but felt this one was probably the best of the bunch. As you can see, I concentrated most of my time on his head.
Some major rumblings in my house are going on right now. I’m actually talking with my wife about getting a studio again. Ever since we bought our house in Brooklyn five years ago, I haven’t had a studio. The decision back then was that it was going to be tough to make both the mortgage and the studio payment, so something had to give. The studio lost out. That decision subsequently set me on a path of putting my brushes down entirely and thinking that “the painting thing” was over. More than ever though I’m feeling that I need to paint again and our house just isn’t big enough to dedicate space for a studio. The great thing is that my wife Suzi is totally supportive and believes I need to do it for my overall sanity (I think it may be more for hers). The challenge will be to find something in Brooklyn that is reasonably priced and close to home. Since I live in one of the highest priced real estate markets in the country (Park Slope)- this is going to be one tough task.
Let the search begin.
Last night I thought I’d pull out my water soluble pencils and try a quick sketch of my son Sebastian. I don’t have much experience with these type of pencils but every time I try them I really enjoy the experience. The graphite is water soluble and therefore the pencils can be used for line or washes. I only used a HB pencil on this particular drawing so the value range was pretty limited. If you’ve never used them I strongly suggest giving them a try- especially if you have a difficult time building a drawing through the use of tone. These allow you to put down large sections of tone with a simple pass of your brush. I also find that they free me up a bit with my initial pencil marks because I know they’ll ultimately be used in a wash. Also, if you find that you have a hard time building a drawing strictly by using line, these I feel allow you to bridge the gap between drawing and painting.
More to come.
Today I decided to go to the noon open figure drawing session at The Brooklyn Arts Gym. Unlike the Tuesday class, the model on Saturdays takes a single pose for the entire 3 hour session. I started off with a few gesture drawings to loosen up and then thought I’d try to develop more of a portrait.
Here it is. Comments?
Sketch of Asian woman on subway
One of the best things about drawing on the New York subway is the diversity of “models” to choose from. Every nationality is represented and you never know who will sit across from you and where they’ll be from. Yesterday this Asian woman sat down and quickly closed her eyes. I knew I had to pull out my sketchbook and quickly try to draw her since I had to get off in only 4 stops.
comments?
As I again try to get back into drawing and painting, I thought I’d occasionally post an older piece of mine. If nothing else, maybe just as some kind of self motivation. Here is a portrait I did, a few years back, of my wife Suzi. Looking at this painting again, I remember how difficult it was to try and capture even the slightest resemblance. Overall I felt pretty good about it. Mainly because she was pleased.
Suzi
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