Friday, December 14, 2007

There can be immense pleasure and engagement to be had in drawing from life, whether of draped or undraped forms. To my mind the main difference between drawing still, fixed forms and living figures, is the sense of being on the spot with a living being entity and engaging fully and minutely in seeing this being as it morphs in movement in front of one and changes form, whether slowly or quickly the still, while inanimate objects yield opportunity for more leisurely attention and study.

Seeing requires suspension of judgement and supression of tendencies to verbalize; it requires one to enter a meditative state and surrender attention to the phenomena one gazes upon. The closest I can explain it is to say one uses the eyes to savour what is present to one's vision as might a gourmet or oenophile use tastebuds and sense of smell to minutely and intimately asess what is being tasted. To see is to be repeatedly surprised. To draw what is "seen" is to note new discoveries, and is an opportunity to find the surprise in the familiar or the commonplace.


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2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have little experience drawing from life. After a drawing class a few months ago, I felt like the whole visual world was pulsating. This post reminds me of those moments, and why drawing appeals to me. For me, it's not about rendering a work of art, since I'm not so sure I can, but more about the process, which you describe so well.

Your drawing shows ease and confidence, as well as a loving eye toward the form, just like you describe in the post!

3:56 PM  
Blogger GEM said...

Christine - that business of "the visual world pulsating" when you have been engaged in looking and seeing and drawing is so true. It's as if the act of meditation keeps one in the 'present' and that is such a good way to be - feels good. That connection is far more important than the production of masterpieces, in fact the point of the activity, I feel. GEM

8:08 AM  

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