Shaking Loose
Title: 001
Size: 11 x 14″
Medium: Graphite on Bristol Smooth
Time: 6.5 hours
Status: WIP
I had an update yesterday with a photo and everything. Only when I went to grab the photo off my SD card, I discovered that my internal card reader on my computer seemed to be borked. The SD card still worked in my camera. And thankfully, my nanosecond of card reading panic didn’t last very long as I managed to pick up a new external card reader at Best Buy. So voila, photo update!
I think I have made a decision about the skin texture. I’m not going to mirror the reference image. And while maybe that sounds like I am being lazy (and let’s face it, that probably is partly true), my primary reason for not replicating it as realistically as I probably could is because I am so anal and so tight with my drawing as it is and I just don’t wanna add yet another layer of that shit.
In the last few years, I have become so tight when I draw that it is very, very difficult to step outside the box. I struggle with it a lot. I think this is probably why I also struggle with sketching for the sake of sketching. There was a time when I used to be able to veer off the road a bit and explore my creativity in a less restrictive way, but now I am firmly planted on the road. From a creativity and artistic standpoint, it can be limiting and frustrating. I think I need to remember what it was like to be more creativity. I just really don’t know how to do that.
I’ve considered working my way through The Artist’s Way. I have it. I have had it for about two years. I just never found the time to work through it. Mostly because I was awful at the daily commitment aspect (and I need to wrap my head around the author’s use of the word, God – but that is really neither here nor there). But, I dunno. Maybe the book/program is something I need?! I like to think I have a daily commitment, but let’s face facts, my daily commitment is sketchy at best. Since I am not currently in school, it would probably be helpful to have some sort of structure. Even at this level.
Anyone work through The Artist’s Way? If so, what have your experiences been like? Would you recommend it?
I had it on the shelf for many years and then was looking for something to do on a business trip, with long periods of alone time, and found it very useful to work through. I actually liked writing morning pages and was at a time in my life, i.e. post-kids at home, that I could get up 30 minutes early, grab my coffee, turn on the early AM news, and scribble for 3 pages. It really balances me – let’s me plan my day loosely on paper – and obsess about decluttering, organization, etc. I then drive to work and find my brain loosening up and supplying me with many more creative projects. I never kept a diary, and don’t really think of Morning Pages as a diary although I do try to record things I want to remember. At the end of 12 weeks, I was ready to slowly expand my interests in journal sketching, textile surface design – and squeeze them in while working. I also spent a year+ working through Eric Maisel’s book called “The Creativity Book” and really enjoyed some of the weekly creative exercises.
loving the new layout!
yes, i’m a subcribed stalker and aspiring artist, and i love your work!
Can’t wait till it’s finished! xD
and if you have a deviant (deviantart.com) lemme now so i can WATCH you
that is an incredible eyeball.
have you ever done slightly abstracted faces with the same excruciating detail? i mean something like this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26279028 but with yr pencils and what not..
artist’s way, shmartist’s way.. could never get past the first few chapters.