Recently, I've been attending some Open Sketch sessions at the Art Students League. Open Sketch is an hour-and-a-half in a room with a nude model. They have two short-pose rooms and one long-pose room. In the long-pose room there's a model holding a single pose for the entire time. In the short pose rooms it's a series of one-minute poses, followed by some five-minute poses, a few tens, and then a twenty-minute pose.
I go to one of the short-pose rooms because I'm trying to work on getting faster and more accurate. Towards that end, I've been drawing with markers instead of something comfortable and easy like charcoal. Markers scare me. You have to know what you're doing because that's a line you can't smudge or erase away. I'm doing my best to make stronger lines with fewer hesitations. You can see my progress below. I've tried to organize the sketches in the order I created them. You can easily see the difference between the one-minute sketches and the longer ones.
This was the first session I went to:
This model did a lot of poses with her back to me or her face turned away. I felt uninspired, so as you can see, I started sketching some people in the room.
My second session:
We had a curvy model and I loved sketching her! Previously, I've always had very thin models. It was wonderful to draw all those curves (and it was actually personally very reinforcing about the beauty of my own body).
Third session:
I feel like I had a bit of a style break through in this session. That black drawing (the last one — lower right) is how I wish I could draw right away. Bold lines, simple shapes, representational. I'm hopeful that I will get there with more practice.
Session number four:
A lot of this model's poses were really boring. But I feel proud of myself. Without conscious intention I often try to make my drawings "pretty." It's a terrible habit and I feel like I pushed myself here. I caught what this model actually looks like — especially in the face sketch (third from the bottom).
And my most recent sketch adventure:
I can see progress here. I'm definitely getting faster, more accurate, and using a more confident line! Just need to keep practicing!
You know, most of us spent at least twelve years of school reading and writing every single day. Therefore, we can read and write. Drawing is a skill like reading and writing. I have to believe that all things are possible with practice. Do you agree or disagree?
Thanks for stopping by!
I see progress as well and using a marker is uber daring IMHO.
I do believe that one gets better with practice (but in the back of my mind a part of me still believes that either you have “it” or you don’t).
I see progress as well and using a marker is uber daring IMHO.
I do believe that one gets better with practice (but in the back of my mind a part of me still believes that either you have “it” or you don’t).
I see progress as well and using a marker is uber daring IMHO.
I do believe that one gets better with practice (but in the back of my mind a part of me still believes that either you have “it” or you don’t).
I see progress as well and using a marker is uber daring IMHO.
I do believe that one gets better with practice (but in the back of my mind a part of me still believes that either you have “it” or you don’t).
I see progress as well and using a marker is uber daring IMHO.
I do believe that one gets better with practice (but in the back of my mind a part of me still believes that either you have “it” or you don’t).
yes agree that we get better with practice!! and you are so brave for using markers!! they are a bit evil:))
yes agree that we get better with practice!! and you are so brave for using markers!! they are a bit evil:))
yes agree that we get better with practice!! and you are so brave for using markers!! they are a bit evil:))
yes agree that we get better with practice!! and you are so brave for using markers!! they are a bit evil:))
yes agree that we get better with practice!! and you are so brave for using markers!! they are a bit evil:))
Wow. I wish we had something like this, but i live way out in the bush in australia. All i have is aprojector and virtual pose. And i’m always too lazy to set it up! I see your style all over all of the sketches, but i suppose it is like all things art. We can’t see these things as well as others, but i do agree, the black one is very you.
Wow. I wish we had something like this, but i live way out in the bush in australia. All i have is aprojector and virtual pose. And i’m always too lazy to set it up! I see your style all over all of the sketches, but i suppose it is like all things art. We can’t see these things as well as others, but i do agree, the black one is very you.
Wow. I wish we had something like this, but i live way out in the bush in australia. All i have is aprojector and virtual pose. And i’m always too lazy to set it up! I see your style all over all of the sketches, but i suppose it is like all things art. We can’t see these things as well as others, but i do agree, the black one is very you.
Wow. I wish we had something like this, but i live way out in the bush in australia. All i have is aprojector and virtual pose. And i’m always too lazy to set it up! I see your style all over all of the sketches, but i suppose it is like all things art. We can’t see these things as well as others, but i do agree, the black one is very you.
Wow. I wish we had something like this, but i live way out in the bush in australia. All i have is aprojector and virtual pose. And i’m always too lazy to set it up! I see your style all over all of the sketches, but i suppose it is like all things art. We can’t see these things as well as others, but i do agree, the black one is very you.
Julie, you are getting so good at drawing the human figure that I am a little jealous. Actually, I’ve never really practiced drawing the human figure, so I’ll probably do it at some point. I just did a painting with my brother-in-law’s two cats that turned out pretty well and I am going to do a tribute painting for my neighbor’s deceased cat soon. Then it’s on to other things! I did practice drawing the shapes necessary to create the cats, so–like you say–anything is possible!
Julie, you are getting so good at drawing the human figure that I am a little jealous. Actually, I’ve never really practiced drawing the human figure, so I’ll probably do it at some point. I just did a painting with my brother-in-law’s two cats that turned out pretty well and I am going to do a tribute painting for my neighbor’s deceased cat soon. Then it’s on to other things! I did practice drawing the shapes necessary to create the cats, so–like you say–anything is possible!
Julie, you are getting so good at drawing the human figure that I am a little jealous. Actually, I’ve never really practiced drawing the human figure, so I’ll probably do it at some point. I just did a painting with my brother-in-law’s two cats that turned out pretty well and I am going to do a tribute painting for my neighbor’s deceased cat soon. Then it’s on to other things! I did practice drawing the shapes necessary to create the cats, so–like you say–anything is possible!
Julie, you are getting so good at drawing the human figure that I am a little jealous. Actually, I’ve never really practiced drawing the human figure, so I’ll probably do it at some point. I just did a painting with my brother-in-law’s two cats that turned out pretty well and I am going to do a tribute painting for my neighbor’s deceased cat soon. Then it’s on to other things! I did practice drawing the shapes necessary to create the cats, so–like you say–anything is possible!
Julie, you are getting so good at drawing the human figure that I am a little jealous. Actually, I’ve never really practiced drawing the human figure, so I’ll probably do it at some point. I just did a painting with my brother-in-law’s two cats that turned out pretty well and I am going to do a tribute painting for my neighbor’s deceased cat soon. Then it’s on to other things! I did practice drawing the shapes necessary to create the cats, so–like you say–anything is possible!
I agree. For the last 2 years I have done the Lifebook course run by Tamara Laporte and my heart has gone from barely passable to not bad. Considering this was done without the backup of formal training, apart from at school.
I agree. For the last 2 years I have done the Lifebook course run by Tamara Laporte and my heart has gone from barely passable to not bad. Considering this was done without the backup of formal training, apart from at school.
I agree. For the last 2 years I have done the Lifebook course run by Tamara Laporte and my heart has gone from barely passable to not bad. Considering this was done without the backup of formal training, apart from at school.
I agree. For the last 2 years I have done the Lifebook course run by Tamara Laporte and my heart has gone from barely passable to not bad. Considering this was done without the backup of formal training, apart from at school.
I agree. For the last 2 years I have done the Lifebook course run by Tamara Laporte and my heart has gone from barely passable to not bad. Considering this was done without the backup of formal training, apart from at school.
I’ve heard practice makes better and until I read it that you reminded me in school we are doing it every day and it really hit me…thanks for posting and encouraging!
I’ve heard practice makes better and until I read it that you reminded me in school we are doing it every day and it really hit me…thanks for posting and encouraging!
I’ve heard practice makes better and until I read it that you reminded me in school we are doing it every day and it really hit me…thanks for posting and encouraging!
I’ve heard practice makes better and until I read it that you reminded me in school we are doing it every day and it really hit me…thanks for posting and encouraging!
I’ve heard practice makes better and until I read it that you reminded me in school we are doing it every day and it really hit me…thanks for posting and encouraging!
Thank You Julie for sharing your brave adventure in drawing what you see. It’s wonderful to see the progression of improvement in your practice. I love gesture drawing and am fortunate to have the same opportunity to practice it. Like you, I want to get out of drawing and painting “pretty” and learn to be bold and fresh in drawing lines and in my brush strokes; yes, bold lines, simple shapes, representational. The face of the model in green ink is awesome, it feels so real as if I’m standing in front of her. I also like the one in black ink. Your post has inspired me and encouraged me to continue my drawing practice. I will try the markers and see if I can be as brave as you. All the best, 🙂
Thank You Julie for sharing your brave adventure in drawing what you see. It’s wonderful to see the progression of improvement in your practice. I love gesture drawing and am fortunate to have the same opportunity to practice it. Like you, I want to get out of drawing and painting “pretty” and learn to be bold and fresh in drawing lines and in my brush strokes; yes, bold lines, simple shapes, representational. The face of the model in green ink is awesome, it feels so real as if I’m standing in front of her. I also like the one in black ink. Your post has inspired me and encouraged me to continue my drawing practice. I will try the markers and see if I can be as brave as you. All the best, 🙂
Thank You Julie for sharing your brave adventure in drawing what you see. It’s wonderful to see the progression of improvement in your practice. I love gesture drawing and am fortunate to have the same opportunity to practice it. Like you, I want to get out of drawing and painting “pretty” and learn to be bold and fresh in drawing lines and in my brush strokes; yes, bold lines, simple shapes, representational. The face of the model in green ink is awesome, it feels so real as if I’m standing in front of her. I also like the one in black ink. Your post has inspired me and encouraged me to continue my drawing practice. I will try the markers and see if I can be as brave as you. All the best, 🙂
Thank You Julie for sharing your brave adventure in drawing what you see. It’s wonderful to see the progression of improvement in your practice. I love gesture drawing and am fortunate to have the same opportunity to practice it. Like you, I want to get out of drawing and painting “pretty” and learn to be bold and fresh in drawing lines and in my brush strokes; yes, bold lines, simple shapes, representational. The face of the model in green ink is awesome, it feels so real as if I’m standing in front of her. I also like the one in black ink. Your post has inspired me and encouraged me to continue my drawing practice. I will try the markers and see if I can be as brave as you. All the best, 🙂
Thank You Julie for sharing your brave adventure in drawing what you see. It’s wonderful to see the progression of improvement in your practice. I love gesture drawing and am fortunate to have the same opportunity to practice it. Like you, I want to get out of drawing and painting “pretty” and learn to be bold and fresh in drawing lines and in my brush strokes; yes, bold lines, simple shapes, representational. The face of the model in green ink is awesome, it feels so real as if I’m standing in front of her. I also like the one in black ink. Your post has inspired me and encouraged me to continue my drawing practice. I will try the markers and see if I can be as brave as you. All the best, 🙂
I love see the progress you are making. Markers are daring, I always need to take a deep breath before I commit with them. Its a brave step. I believe that practice is all we can do to become better. You are on the right road. Thanks for inspiring me.
Kate
I love see the progress you are making. Markers are daring, I always need to take a deep breath before I commit with them. Its a brave step. I believe that practice is all we can do to become better. You are on the right road. Thanks for inspiring me.
Kate
I love see the progress you are making. Markers are daring, I always need to take a deep breath before I commit with them. Its a brave step. I believe that practice is all we can do to become better. You are on the right road. Thanks for inspiring me.
Kate
I love see the progress you are making. Markers are daring, I always need to take a deep breath before I commit with them. Its a brave step. I believe that practice is all we can do to become better. You are on the right road. Thanks for inspiring me.
Kate
I love see the progress you are making. Markers are daring, I always need to take a deep breath before I commit with them. Its a brave step. I believe that practice is all we can do to become better. You are on the right road. Thanks for inspiring me.
Kate
This is a great post Julie! I used to do life drawing all the time and I haven’t in a while. I love the curvy models to. They also did the best with my collectors because I think women like to collect art of other women that look like them. Thanks so much for sharing this
This is a great post Julie! I used to do life drawing all the time and I haven’t in a while. I love the curvy models to. They also did the best with my collectors because I think women like to collect art of other women that look like them. Thanks so much for sharing this
This is a great post Julie! I used to do life drawing all the time and I haven’t in a while. I love the curvy models to. They also did the best with my collectors because I think women like to collect art of other women that look like them. Thanks so much for sharing this
This is a great post Julie! I used to do life drawing all the time and I haven’t in a while. I love the curvy models to. They also did the best with my collectors because I think women like to collect art of other women that look like them. Thanks so much for sharing this
This is a great post Julie! I used to do life drawing all the time and I haven’t in a while. I love the curvy models to. They also did the best with my collectors because I think women like to collect art of other women that look like them. Thanks so much for sharing this
I agree with you that practice makes better, and it sure shows in your drawings. I love how you set yourself some challenges (e.g. using markers). Thanks for inspiring me…again
I agree with you that practice makes better, and it sure shows in your drawings. I love how you set yourself some challenges (e.g. using markers). Thanks for inspiring me…again
I agree with you that practice makes better, and it sure shows in your drawings. I love how you set yourself some challenges (e.g. using markers). Thanks for inspiring me…again
I agree with you that practice makes better, and it sure shows in your drawings. I love how you set yourself some challenges (e.g. using markers). Thanks for inspiring me…again
I agree with you that practice makes better, and it sure shows in your drawings. I love how you set yourself some challenges (e.g. using markers). Thanks for inspiring me…again
Julie, you are living proof that practice makes perfect. I see your hesitation in some of the sketches, but as you do more, that decreases. When I am sketching I always have to remind myself to look more at the subject than at the paper, because the temptation is to work on the drawing part and not so much on the seeing part. But it is the seeing that should translate to the hand with the writing stick, isn’t it?
Julie, you are living proof that practice makes perfect. I see your hesitation in some of the sketches, but as you do more, that decreases. When I am sketching I always have to remind myself to look more at the subject than at the paper, because the temptation is to work on the drawing part and not so much on the seeing part. But it is the seeing that should translate to the hand with the writing stick, isn’t it?
Julie, you are living proof that practice makes perfect. I see your hesitation in some of the sketches, but as you do more, that decreases. When I am sketching I always have to remind myself to look more at the subject than at the paper, because the temptation is to work on the drawing part and not so much on the seeing part. But it is the seeing that should translate to the hand with the writing stick, isn’t it?
Julie, you are living proof that practice makes perfect. I see your hesitation in some of the sketches, but as you do more, that decreases. When I am sketching I always have to remind myself to look more at the subject than at the paper, because the temptation is to work on the drawing part and not so much on the seeing part. But it is the seeing that should translate to the hand with the writing stick, isn’t it?
Julie, you are living proof that practice makes perfect. I see your hesitation in some of the sketches, but as you do more, that decreases. When I am sketching I always have to remind myself to look more at the subject than at the paper, because the temptation is to work on the drawing part and not so much on the seeing part. But it is the seeing that should translate to the hand with the writing stick, isn’t it?
Totally agree – thanks so much for sharing your progress 🙂
Totally agree – thanks so much for sharing your progress 🙂
Totally agree – thanks so much for sharing your progress 🙂
Totally agree – thanks so much for sharing your progress 🙂
Totally agree – thanks so much for sharing your progress 🙂
That’s an interesting thought about the reading and writing. It is quite obvious that the quality of handwriting goes down if you are out of practice. At the same time, it is so comforting to think that anything, including drawing, can only improve with practice. Which is quite obvious when looking at what you show in your blog post! Thank you for sharing.
That’s an interesting thought about the reading and writing. It is quite obvious that the quality of handwriting goes down if you are out of practice. At the same time, it is so comforting to think that anything, including drawing, can only improve with practice. Which is quite obvious when looking at what you show in your blog post! Thank you for sharing.
That’s an interesting thought about the reading and writing. It is quite obvious that the quality of handwriting goes down if you are out of practice. At the same time, it is so comforting to think that anything, including drawing, can only improve with practice. Which is quite obvious when looking at what you show in your blog post! Thank you for sharing.
That’s an interesting thought about the reading and writing. It is quite obvious that the quality of handwriting goes down if you are out of practice. At the same time, it is so comforting to think that anything, including drawing, can only improve with practice. Which is quite obvious when looking at what you show in your blog post! Thank you for sharing.
That’s an interesting thought about the reading and writing. It is quite obvious that the quality of handwriting goes down if you are out of practice. At the same time, it is so comforting to think that anything, including drawing, can only improve with practice. Which is quite obvious when looking at what you show in your blog post! Thank you for sharing.
I believe one can get better with practice. I once went to a workshop for educators taught by an illustrator, cartoonist, and designer. He showed us all pictures he drew in high school. Being part of a mentor program, he listened to what the experts said every time, and he learned to draw. He now designs floats for the Rose Parade, as well as amusement parks all over the world. He’s just a regular guy who had a dream and a love for animation. John inspired me then as you, Julie, inspire me today. Thanks for sharing your process!
I believe one can get better with practice. I once went to a workshop for educators taught by an illustrator, cartoonist, and designer. He showed us all pictures he drew in high school. Being part of a mentor program, he listened to what the experts said every time, and he learned to draw. He now designs floats for the Rose Parade, as well as amusement parks all over the world. He’s just a regular guy who had a dream and a love for animation. John inspired me then as you, Julie, inspire me today. Thanks for sharing your process!
I believe one can get better with practice. I once went to a workshop for educators taught by an illustrator, cartoonist, and designer. He showed us all pictures he drew in high school. Being part of a mentor program, he listened to what the experts said every time, and he learned to draw. He now designs floats for the Rose Parade, as well as amusement parks all over the world. He’s just a regular guy who had a dream and a love for animation. John inspired me then as you, Julie, inspire me today. Thanks for sharing your process!
I believe one can get better with practice. I once went to a workshop for educators taught by an illustrator, cartoonist, and designer. He showed us all pictures he drew in high school. Being part of a mentor program, he listened to what the experts said every time, and he learned to draw. He now designs floats for the Rose Parade, as well as amusement parks all over the world. He’s just a regular guy who had a dream and a love for animation. John inspired me then as you, Julie, inspire me today. Thanks for sharing your process!
I believe one can get better with practice. I once went to a workshop for educators taught by an illustrator, cartoonist, and designer. He showed us all pictures he drew in high school. Being part of a mentor program, he listened to what the experts said every time, and he learned to draw. He now designs floats for the Rose Parade, as well as amusement parks all over the world. He’s just a regular guy who had a dream and a love for animation. John inspired me then as you, Julie, inspire me today. Thanks for sharing your process!