Drawing August 2024 proceeds apace.
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| blueberries in fluted glass |
There is a special nugget of gratitude in my heart for the creators and encouragers of the annual twitter event that I took a first wobbly crack at in 2014.
Drawing every day for a month did not come naturally; during decades as a photographer I never considered myself a draw-er. But now Drawing August is folded effortlessly into what became, on 1 January 2018, my Daily Markmaking practice. 2024 is my 7th year of continuous Daily Markmaking, and it's been a discipline and a respite and an anchor.
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| from Petrie's photograph of an alabaster vessel fragment, tomb of Amenhotep III |
And fun. Even the night last week when, just as I reached for the sketchbook, the power went out during yet another storm. On my laptop screen was a photograph I had intended to use as the basis for a line drawing: a salt print of the Temple at Dendur taken in 1851. In situ; way back before the temple ended up in New York City.
When the power went out there was just enough of a glow from the laptop screen that drawing seemed possible, but when I started with my micron pen, I could barely see the lines. So I fumbled around in the dark for my one felt-tip drawing pen and eventually found it in the third of the three bean cans that hold my pencils, pens, and brushes. (In case you think there is one can for each category, I can only say that would make a lot of sense.)
Anyway, the fat line of felt-tip was much more visible, so at least there was something on the paper, even if not the detailed line drawing as planned.
So far there have only been two or three days in August when the weather made outdoor markmaking a good idea. Or even a do-able idea. Those opportunities have not been squandered. I've put a little temporary screen tent "studio" on the deck of the former barn, and of course there are trees in every direction so plenty of inspiration. Some of the trees have been sketched multiple times over the years, from different vantage points. Sometimes I think a person could draw from the same tree every day for a lifetime, and never be finished. Or unchallenged.
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| massive red oak |
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I so wish I could draw, but every attempt looks worse than kindergarten art! Ah well, can't do everything.
ReplyDeleteLove that last one of the tree.
I hope progress has been made on your barn despite your weather. At least I know where all our rain is. :)
Very sorry about our hogging all the rain! I'd be more than happy to share :)
DeleteYou captured the blueberries in the glass perfectly. Glad you're undertaking the challenge again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Anne. The drawing part is much more of a habit now than is the posting part.
DeleteThe blueberries in the glass is a great subject. Water does such interesting things to light rays.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that by drawing every day, it becomes a habit. Creative habits are excellent to cultivate.
Yes, it really is a habit, except for the time of day. I usually draw late at night, but when I can draw outdoors of course it's in daylight. When I do that, I sometimes wake up with a jolt in the middle of the night thinking I've forgotten to do any markmaking. It's exactly like the jolt of thinking I've forgotten to close a gate or fill the water buckets, but at least I don't have to get dressed and go out with a flashlight to check the sketchbook!
DeleteHas it been that long since you've been Markmaking? How dedicated to do it in the dark!
ReplyDeleteOr stubborn? ;)
DeleteThose fluted blueberries! That takes an artist's eye to even see it. Very nice rendering.
ReplyDeleteYour daily markmaking is an inspiration.
It sounds like August has continued wet. Dare I ask about the hay prospects?
Chris from Boise
Amazing timing, Chris - got my first load of 2nd cutting yesterday evening. For about 4 hours the farmer and I had a series of "Is it raining there yet?" phonecalls, to try to make sure he wasn't going to drive a truckload of dry hay through a rainstorm en route to my place. Luckily, it didn't start raining here until after he'd unloaded the 50 bales.
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