Sunday, October 19, 2008

Big Draw day 19

One of the experiments in Spirit of Drawing is to draw the four elements. So I gave it a try. This is air.

Fire.
water
Earth. I did these with my eyes closed but didn't note which hand I used. I made them last week so can't remember. In fact sometimes I cant remember which hand I've used right after I've done a drawing!

"When consciously observed, the simple activity of drawing and using color can become a microcosm for your whole life. By observing the most intimate details of your way of working, you can become aware of your unique, deeply rooted inclinations." pg 49 Spirit of Drawing by C. S. Siegel.

19 comments:

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

These are interesting Suki. You didnt even look and you captured the elements pretty good. You are having fun with that book I can see.
If you cant remember right after drawing something which hand you used then you really get into your right brain mode. Don't you automatially use your dominate hand tho?

Anonymous said...

I like the water drawing the best
:-).

Karen Salva said...

This book is getting more interesting by the minute. That quote is fascinating. I guess it proves art is something coming from within and will communicate volumes if we free it.

soulbrush said...

so you are ambidextrous as well. i am not good at doing such a few lines, and be satisfied with them.

Teri said...

How very interesting. Drawing air, hmmmmmm Good job.

sukipoet said...

Cris I usually use my dominant hand automatically but these frew weeks I've been consciouly trying to use my other hand. All I meant was sometimes, unless I make a note about it, I can't rremember which brain mode I was in.

Thanks, Annie.

Karen, well this teacher/author is very meditative in her approach to drawing, thus yes, come from within, from the senses is her focus although then she goes on to show how sensing drawings can lead to realistic images if we want.

Soulbrush, I would say I tend toward the simple in both visual art and prose. Or maybe simplifiying is the right word.

Teri, drawing air was the hardest one to do and I am not particularly satisfied with this sketch.

sukipoet said...

I supposed you could draw air by showing how air effects the world around us such as showing flying leaves or wind bend branches or grasses.

Lynn Cohen said...

Maybe you should peek?

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Suki, Besides enjoying these lovely drawings...I discovered your photo of the pond. It must be great to walk a short distance to such a peaceful body of water. Maybe take a photo of the pond when it freezes?
Mary Ann...city girl.

patti said...

I love the quotes from this book too Suki. I will look it up on Amazon.

I always find that after I have drawn something I feel as though I know it intimately, whether it's an object, a flower or a person. It's a special kind of feeling.

I'm ambi-dexterous, but laziness means I use my right hand mostly.

marianne said...

yes they really are the 4 elements!
Of the 4 I guess air is the hardest to draw but you sure did a good job there!
fun that you can't recall the hand you draw them with.........
Have a nice day Suki!

sukipoet said...

Lynn, occasionally I peek but not always.

Mary Ann, sure I'll take a picture of the frozen pond. I dont think I did that last year. The pond is just about one minute walk away but this summer I couldnt reach it as the grasses around it have to be cut with a tractor and my brother was engaged with taking care of his wife so didnt cut it till a month ago.

Patti, I like what you say about knowing something intimately after drawing it. May I use that quote in my sidebar?

Marianne, it would be fun too to see other people's interpretation of air. Or all these elements.

Anonymous said...

I have this book, which I began reading last spring and I do leaf through it from time to time. Wish I had the time to do the drawing exercises. You seem to be having fun, loosening up, seeing and feeling your way to new techniques.

Andrea and Kim said...

Suki, I really like these drawings a lot. There is a great deal in them and could provide some excellent jumping off work for other art.

I am glad you are enjoying the book and find the exercises are helpful...especially with the big draw.

Keep having fun since that is the key, right?

Thanks!

sukipoet said...

Chewy it was from reading your blog that I learned of the book which Kim also mentioned. when I first got it I tried to read it through and didnt get far. But now suddenly doing the big draw and trying out some of the experiments it has opened the book up to me. I really like her approach which is very non-traditional to my mind.

Kim, yes having fun is important. Mostly I am having fun with the sketches, though some have been challenging.

human being said...

hmmm... they really represent the four elements... i can even see the sparkles of the fire...

Unknown said...

Suki, this is really soooo interesting, I like the contrasts with which you expressed your visions of these different elements...

sukipoet said...

human being you are too kind.

Andrea, I am assuming if I did this over and over i'd come up with different images except maybe for air.

sukipoet said...

Maybe just a blank page for air.