More From My Pencils

When deciding what to draw next, this particular subject seemed like a good compromise of my theme of Tulare County and what I want to draw because I want to draw it.

Strawberry fields have become a common sight in our area over the past 10 years or so in the springtime. That makes this drawing qualify as Tulare County art, yes?

strawberry

Using colored pencil for extended time periods hurts my wrist. This little bit of color is possible without injury, and it is very pleasing to see one item in color. Not every picture has a place for color, but this was an easy decision.

What Came Out of My Pencils

Sometimes I want to draw because I love to draw. I want to draw what I want to draw, and don’t want to think about what might sell.

I ignored my common sense, ignored my theme of Tulare County, and this is what came out of my pencils. (as if it just showed up on its own, no effort or decision on my part, I was just a tool, a vessel, and a victim!)

caesarea-arch

 

This is an arch that is part of the Roman aqueduct system along the Mediterranean at Cesarea Philippi Maritima in Israel. As you may recall, I love architecture, stone work, bridges and archways. We had about 3 minutes to view this and then BAM, back on the bus! It just grabbed me. . . the beauty, the antiquity, the Med Sea . . . I was gobsmacked.

So, I took a few photos, and now here it is as a drawing.

My sister, niece and I were all just thrilled to be at the Mediterranean. We were the first and the only people in our group to run to the water and get it without any discussion or delay. It was one of the highlights of the entire Israel adventure for me.

 

us

The sharp eyes of one of my fellow Israel travelers caught my mistake in the location of this drawing. I knew better and have no excuse. Thanks, Cog! 

What Should I Draw Next?

What Should I Draw Next could be the call letters of a radio station east of the Mississippi – WSIDN. Okay, there are one too many letters, but tell me how KMJ gets away with only three?? I stole this from Anne Bogel, Modern Mrs. Darcy, with her podcast WSIRN – What Should I Read Next – a wonderful resource for readers.

I digress.

I will be participating in an art show of pencil in May and June. Right now I am in between jobs – murals, coloring books, and fall shows coming, but all are waiting for decisions. That makes this a good time to draw ahead for the upcoming show.

A crystal ball would be helpful. There are too many ways to make this decision:

  • Draw what I like. My opinion doesn’t always coincide with the opinion of the art buyers and appreciators.
  • Ask for other people’s opinions. Which people?
  • Draw what I think might sell. Based on what?
  • Finish pieces already in progress. Why didn’t I finish them earlier? Lack of interest on my part, some instinct telling me the subject matter didn’t hold any appeal to my audience (who are they??), or an interruption such as a mural or a coloring book or an art festival/boutique/bazaar.
  • Something local, or something from my travels, but which travels? – China, Israel, the Central Coast, Lake Tahoe, Washington DC, Washington state, Oregon, North Carolina, Alaska, where??

Life is full of decisions, or as my Wise Friend often says, “Choices and Consequences – life is full of choices and consequences.” Oh yes, a crystal ball would help.

  • How do other artists make these decisions? Probably by sticking to a theme.
  • What is my theme? Tulare County.
  • Why Tulare County when it is so poor? Because I live here.
  • Why do I draw? I draw because I LOVE to draw!
  • Why don’t I just draw what I love? Because it has to sell.

Now, what should I draw next?

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Photos from Israel that have promise for pencil drawings.
pencil drawing in progress
A drawing of the Central Coast that is languishing (or mulling) in my flat files.
pencil drawing in progress
A pencil drawing of a fascinating scene in Beijing that I stopped drawing for some forgotten reason.
pencil drawing in progress
A local scene – Lake Kaweah when it was full.

 

 

12 More Reasons to Take Drawing Lessons

Drawing lessons from me, not just drawing lessons in general, although learning to draw from me might be a problem if you live in Oklahoma or Minnesota.

  1. Because learning to draw is on your bucket list
  2. Because you had a mean art “teacher” who made you feel like an idiot and you want to undo some of that psychological scarring
  3. Because you used to draw but think you might have forgotten how
  4. Because you don’t like the way you draw
  5. Because you don’t know how to draw
  6. Because your mom/wife/grandma/sister/husband/boyfriend made you
  7. Because you always thought it looked fun
  8. Because other people are having so much fun in drawing lessons
  9. Because you always said you’d learn new skills after you retired
  10. Because it is only $55 a month and therefore much more affordable than violin lessons
  11. Because it is safer than horseback riding lessons (ask Lou about this)
  12. Because I am a dang good drawing teacher

That’s really only 11 reasons, because #6 is NOT a reason to take lessons.

You can learn more about drawing lessons here.

 

12 Reasons To Take Drawing Lessons (from me!)

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“Armed”, pencil drawing by Lou Womack

Drawing lessons begin on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.

I might have a little space in a class or two, and can’t find my waiting list. Are you thinking about taking lessons? Here are 12 reasons to consider drawing lessons:

  1. Because you were told it would be a miracle if you ever learned to draw
  2. Because you want to be the first person who proves me wrong when I say that I can teach anyone to draw
  3. Because you want to be able to sketch ideas in order to design clothing
  4. Because you want to hone the skills you already have
  5. Because you need something to do
  6. Because you want to meet women (That’s what Ralph said.)
  7. Because you paint a little and your shapes look wrong
  8. Because you always knew you could if you had a little help learning how
  9. Because if you don’t pay me monthly, you won’t bother drawing
  10. Because you think it might help you sit still
  11. Because you are about to go to art school and are afraid you will look incompetent
  12. Because you are an elementary teacher and drawing skills are expected of you
  13. (a baker’s dozen, perhaps?) Because maybe you could get as good as Lou (see “Armed” above)

You can learn more about drawing lessons here.

 

Drawing Lessons

Since 1994 I have been teaching people how to draw. We don’t go outside and sketch. We sit inside and work from photos. We learn to break a complex photo into its basic shapes, how to start a drawing, to get all the shapes  and proportions right, how to shade so that it appears 3 dimensional and how to finish it off to be the best possible.

I have about 20 students, ranging in age from 13 to Too-Polite-To-Ask.

Everyone works at his own pace on the subject of his own choosing. We generally don’t doggedly copy photos but do some well-thought-out cropping, and in general just clean up the mess that real life consists of.

I encourage everyone to work from her own photos rather than things from calendars, magazines and the internet. Not everyone has a good camera or a backlog of photos, and often I will lend photos to my students.

Usually each person has an idea of what he wants to draw.

The main thing is this: PICK SOMETHING YOU LOVE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE STARING AT IT FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

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This is a grandson with a stuffed lion. Definitely a much loved subject!
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We have spent a great deal of time evaluating exactly what we are seeing here. That is one of the drawbacks of working from a photo taken by someone else.
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I warned him and warned him about the slowness of colored pencil, but he proceeded anyway. Just getting the gradation of blues, and getting it smooth, is taking F O R E V E R. That’s okay – we don’t have any deadlines.
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A perfectionistic animal lover is doing a fabulous job on this challenging conglomerate of squishy shapes and elusive textures.
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Stunning! Simply stunning. This is by a woman who began lessons about 9 years ago so that her watercolor paintings would be more accurate. She mastered graphite quickly and has been showing off with colored pencil ever since. She doesn’t need lessons any more, but I am ever so grateful that she continues to show up each week.
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No faces smaller than an egg! Sometimes my students are determined. So, I help them the best I can and we all learn. Those who are looking on in horror become determined to never draw a face smaller than an egg. What a challenge!
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Turned my back to help the other students for awhile and BOOM! FInal leaf, done. There’s a very dark background coming. . . that ought to slow her down a bit. Or not.
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The idea with this is to do one of the blossoms in color. That is one of my favorite ways to use color, and this is turning out beautifully.

Commissioned Pencil Drawing Ready for Color

The commissioned pencil drawing will have a touch of color, but first I have to spray fix it so that the graphite doesn’t smear into the colors.

Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Why do I say I work in pencil instead of saying I work in graphite? I don’t say that I paint in “brush” – I say I paint in “oil”. A pencil is a tool as is a brush; graphite is the medium as is oil paint.

Clarity is probably the answer. I’m talking to regular people who say “picher” for “picture”, “prolly” for “probably”, “hite” for “height”, and “gotta” for “got to”. Regular people most likely won’t understand “graphite” as the medium in a pencil. They prolly think it is something to unstick a lock.

Here is the commissioned pencil drawing in graphite, minus the color.

There is a bit of graphite where I’ll put color because it will serve to deepen and darken the color.

Clarity: what’s the difference between “deepen” and “darken” when discussing color? I dunno. I’m a regular person who prolly doesn’t always get stuff. Gotta go, see ya!LB#3

Coloring books will be available again on July 1, 2016. You may order, but it will involve a wait.

Commissioned Pencil Drawing Gets Fun

Of course a commissioned pencil drawing is fun for me. I LOVE to draw in pencil.

When I draw, there are several steps. First, I choose the size and location on the paper. Second, I lay out all the shapes in a light outline. Third, oh boy, this is the party, I shade.

Shading is how things go from a 2 dimensional piece of paper with height and width (in case you were wondering, the word “height” is pronounced “hite”, not “hithe” ) to an apparent 3 dimensional scene. Shading adds distance, texture and depth.

LB#2

I don’t expect you to be all chills and thrills about this, but you’ve got to admit it is starting to “look just like a picher” as people often say to me when I do art events. Those folks probably say “hite”  and “gotta” too. Prolly.

Coloring books will be available again on July 1, 2016. You may order, but it will involve a wait.