AVAA Life Drawing

AVAA Life Drawing group | charcoal pencil and conte on Canson pastel paper | 3.30.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Exploring different life drawing materials.  Tonight it's charcoal and conte on Canson Mi-Teintes paper.  It's fascinating to see the difference that the paper color and texture have on the quality of line, tone, and relative warmth of the drawing.  Used both smooth and "toothed" sides of the paper to see the effects.  This week completed the warm up gestures in an 8x10 sketch book, and moved to pastel paper sheet taped to drawing board for the longer 20 - 30 minute poses.  The three hour session is a long time to maintain focus and an engaged and enquiring mindful exploration of the figure and drawing techniques.  

There is so much going on during life drawing learning - both internal (attention|focus, sensation, subconcious preparation) and external (relating to, choosing, manipulating materials) and the fluid synergy of the two spheres of experience in the moment.  It is a humbling and exciting practice with depth enough for many lifetimes of passionate obsession.