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I believe that art enriches and informs our lives everyday in many positive ways. Sharing those experiences, whether as an artist or as an appreciator, is part of the pleasure. I welcome your comments and hope you find something of value: a laugh, an insight, a new idea or just a happy moment. Enjoy art!

Friday, February 21, 2014

Continuous Line Drawing

I still cannot hold a paint brush up higher than my waist so I have been experimenting with art exercises.  Continuous line is a  bit like contour line with the exception that you do not lift your pen from the paper until you decide it is complete.  You may do more than the outside contour line, but it must be all done from one unbroken line.  I remember doing this eye/hand exercise in lessons with Barbara Bassett, Orlando, FL, back when I was in junior high!



Here is the first one I attempted from a magazine adv,
 I added the decoration in background with a separate line after finishing- it needed something!

Next I did some "glamorous" faces from the magazine, trying to plan out how to get from one side of the face to the other with only one line...



And finally I did a face where I was able to start and stop at the exact same point:

Feeling that I was getting (a little) better I bravely pulled out a Gauguin book and attempted to copy one of his paintings titled "The Noble Woman."  Shrinking it to a 5 x 7 size was only one of the problems a full painting presented.

The book copy of "The Noble Woman"


I made two attempts at this, the first is the lower one.
 Trust me, the second one (with the paint) was not any easier to plan out or to execute, but at least her chin does not come to a point.

I think I will be doing some more of these continuous line drawings; I like the way the figures end up looking rather Picasso-esque and a bit distorted.  If one chose, one could intentionally draw important things in bigger proportion (which is what I think our subconscious does anyway).  However, I think the point of the exercise is not to distort but to continuously check back and forth from the model to the paper to see if you are lining things up correctly in proportion to one another. If the artist can draw imaginary plumb lines from what he has drawn to what is next he can learn intuitively how to compose the subject properly.  

Since I rather liked my 'modern version' of a noble woman I added some paint to her along with a mat which makes her look important.  Now back to my physical therapy so I can soon be at the easel!


ARTfully yours,
Cindy

7 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post and still amazed at how you're making such a strong recovery. I totally love the Noble Woman painted. . . . fantastic, maybe another new avenue to pursue. The browns, blues and light, oh my!

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  2. Wow! This is certainly an interesting exercise of both artist skill and strategics. I love this concept. "How can I make this work" kind of thing. Love your adventurous spirit Cindy! Onward ho! xo

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  3. Thank you ladies, yes, the Noble Woman does have a certain look to her! Gotta remember to do more, it's good for me!

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  4. I always knew that time spent with my Etch-a-Sketch could pay off someday! :)

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  6. Kirk - I used to love those things...thanks for reminding me of them. If we really wanted to upset a sibling we would grab and shake....it all disappeared! Good chuckle from fond memories.

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  7. Mantra
    The secret of a
    successful life is
    to take what seems a
    disadvantage and
    turn it into an
    advantage, move past
    life's lemon and drink.

    I say this to myself many times during my life journey. You are living it and your art flows so fine.

    I stumbled upon your blog from a message you posted on my friend Brenda Ferguson's blog.

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