I saw lots of people this weekend---people in meetings, in bars, in restaurants, in museums. I drew many of them. I drew strangers and I drew three of my daughter's friends, too. I gave those drawings away, so you'll just have to take my word for it that they were masterpieces of the highest order. *crosses fingers behind back*
Yes, I was a drawing fool this weekend and one thing I remembered in the process was this: I don't much like drawing with pen. Drawing with pencil is like sculpting with clay---you can pinch and pull and add and subtract and poke and tweak and smudge and soften and crispen. Pencil marks are very sensuous. With the type of pen I used here the marks are stacatto and point blank. They don't give or budge. I know that other types of pens and other artists produce different results. I know that. But I, apparently, am a pencil person.
Here are several pencil sketches, followed by a pen and ink one. You be the judge. (Remember, you can click on each one to see an enlarged version.)
Last, there's a sketch for my 101 Faces project, after a painting I saw Saturday in the National Museum of Women in the Arts. I loved the forthrightness of the subject's gaze. It's called 'Portrait of an Unknown Sitter,' by Adélaide LaBille-Guiard, French 1749-1803.
I too am a pencil person but honestly your delivery with a pen is wonderful. I was thinking (while at the gym, walking miles on the treadmill) that I wish I could get together with you and have you teach me the art of drawing a portrait. Oh, I know, I have taken many figure drawing and portrait classes however I thought it would be so nice to have your perspective on things. :) Just a lovely thought in my day and wishful
thinking. XOX
M
Posted by: Maggie | February 17, 2007 at 10:45 AM
I loved your description of pinching and pulling the shapes out of the pencil work. It puts a whole different perspective on erasing from the standard EDM "Use ink, don't erase" message. I bought a 6B and 8B pencil to see how I liked them but haven't tried them out yet. I'm so happy there's so many different materials, techniques and approaches to experiment with. Also, while your pencil work is more flowing than the ink drawings, I bet once you found your own "Laura" way with the ink you'd be able to make it sing too.
Posted by: Jana Bouc | February 15, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Thanks SO much for all your pencil and pen commentary! It's nice to hear various points of view on topics like this. As for me, I'm going to continue my pencil and brush preoccupation, though I will use pens from time to time, as I always have. I've even thought, in my usual self-governessy way, of making myself use only pen for a month or two, to see where that path takes me. Maybe next year!
Posted by: Laura | February 14, 2007 at 11:39 AM
I prefer your pencil work. It looks so much more fluid and sensuous. :o)
Posted by: Terri | February 13, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Oh my. I am jealous in the very best way...
Posted by: Maryam in Marrakesh | February 13, 2007 at 03:55 PM
If I had to choose, I would probably pick your pencil drawings because they seem simpler and clearer, although, your pen sketch is hardly shabby. I really liked the way you did the career seminar sketch. I was just sketching at a Beethoven lecture and found myself uninspired seeing only the backs of peoples heads. Yet, you made it very interesting using depth and I don't know what else. I have to re-think my need for having the perfect scene or subject to sketch.
Posted by: Ellen | February 13, 2007 at 03:35 PM