White Biocentrism

MartinLFletcher wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 05, 2023 7:23 pm

FolkishFreya wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 27, 2022 12:11 am

I've been tapping back into my artistic hobbies lately after a long hiatus...

One of the neatest aspects of drawing as a hobby is that it really trains your mind to observe detail, and to see things the way they really are. I took drawing classes all through school; I know it made me a better engineer.

After what I've figured has been 17 years since I've done any visual art at all, I was determined to slowly "tap back into it," first by enrolling in a short charcoal drawing workshop here at our excellent Johnson County Art Center, conducted by a local artist whose work I admire.

Basic stuff for beginners and intermediate artists, but after two days of working with just charcoal, value, texture, etc., and elementary grid work, it was coming back to me -- that part you mention, Martin, about how visual art trains your mind to observe detail. Technical measuring tricks, intense hand/eye coordination, and such were coming back to me. It was like riding a bicycle after decades of being off one; bike riding comes back in short order.

After two two-hour sessions I was emboldened to dust off some old pastel boxes in storage and take a stab at a portrait. With a source photo of William Pierce when he was in his mid to late 30s. This is what I came up with:

It's not finished and I'm not satisfied with it, especially with the sort of shadow on his left cheek and a couple of other nuances that I see now can be worked on. The main thing gained, however, is that I put the everyday grind of work aside for a few hours and dove in. I found that elusive, creative burst of accomplishment that comes from concentrating on a piece of artwork, not altogether unlike when I get the monthly BULLETIN back from the printer and in the mail to our members.

Before I stopped painting I had developed my own style with mixed media, mostly pastels and quick drying, water-based acrylic paints. Those old paint brushes somehow disappeared over the years, and all those tubes of paint dried up, but who knows, if I can ever find my replacement as NA Chairman, all those tools can easily be replaced and I just may find time to get back into painting again.

MartinLFletcher wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 05, 2023 7:23 pm

FolkishFreya wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 27, 2022 12:11 am

I've been tapping back into my artistic hobbies lately after a long hiatus...

One of the neatest aspects of drawing as a hobby is that it really trains your mind to observe detail, and to see things the way they really are. I took drawing classes all through school; I know it made me a better engineer.

After what I've figured has been 17 years since I've done any visual art at all, I was determined to slowly "tap back into it," first by enrolling in a short charcoal drawing workshop here at our excellent Johnson County Art Center, conducted by a local artist whose work I admire.

Basic stuff for beginners and intermediate artists, but after two days of working with just charcoal, value, texture, etc., and elementary grid work, it was coming back to me -- that part you mention, Martin, about how visual art trains your mind to observe detail. Technical measuring tricks, intense hand/eye coordination, and such were coming back to me. It was like riding a bicycle after decades of being off one; bike riding comes back in short order.

After two two-hour sessions I was emboldened to dust off some old pastel boxes in storage and take a stab at a portrait. With a source photo of William Pierce when he was in his mid to late 30s. This is what I came up with:

It's not finished and I'm not satisfied with it, especially with the sort of shadow on his left cheek and a couple of other nuances that I see now can be worked on. The main thing gained, however, is that I put the everyday grind of work aside for a few hours and dove in. I found that elusive, creative burst of accomplishment that comes from concentrating on a piece of artwork, not altogether unlike when I get the monthly BULLETIN back from the printer and in the mail to our members.

Before I stopped painting I had developed my own style with mixed media, mostly pastels and quick drying, water-based acrylic paints. Those old paint brushes somehow disappeared over the years, and all those tubes of paint dried up, but who knows, if I can ever find my replacement as NA Chairman, all those tools can easily be replaced and I just may find time to get back into painting again.

WhiteHealer wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:17 am

FF,

Your drawing of WLP looks really good. Excellent work on that....maybe there will be a place for that drawing in the new WLP memorial?

WhiteHealer

FolkishFreya wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 06, 2023 9:00 am

WhiteHealer wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:17 am

FF,

Your drawing of WLP looks really good. Excellent work on that....maybe there will be a place for that drawing in the new WLP memorial?

WhiteHealer

I wish I could draw like that. My friend, this is the handiwork of our Chairman. Isn't it lovely though?

WhiteHealer wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:17 am

FF,

Your drawing of WLP looks really good. Excellent work on that....maybe there will be a place for that drawing in the new WLP memorial?

WhiteHealer