Friday, November 8, 2019

Pastel and ink

Each drawing I do happens rather quickly. I wonder why this is.
- I don't really want to even start the drawing (fear of failure).
- Working quickly can circumvent self-critical thoughts.
- My time is limited (5-15 minutes each) and there are too many other things to draw.
- I have to return home in time to drive my wife to the train.

To fully address the problems of representation (light, space, fidelity) and to attention to the smallest dynamic moment of perception, I work gesturally. I'm inspired by (am validated by) different forms of Asian brush drawing, action painting and Impressionist painters. And lots of other things as well; too numerous and diverse to mention. Using pastel allows me to quickly establish some definition of space and light. The ink builds on this (although sometimes I put the ink down first) and offers bold contrast. I like the commitment that ink enforces.  So that's a little description of one of my concerns regarding drawing.
What do you think about when you make a picture?

11-01-19-willow
11-01-19-crows
11-08-19-bridge
11-08-19-swan


1 comment:

  1. Rob, thanks for your thoughts. How do I feel when I draw a picture? Well, at the moment I am traveling in the other direction. I'm slowing down and slowing down. More precise, more detailed. I take great pleasure in searching for a long time what comes into the picture. A thick sketchbook, many beautiful things, many detours. I bought two big canvases, 1.50 x 1.00 meters, I make sketches on paper, translate what is coherent on the canvast, nearly a technique of the old masters, I prepare the colors, the brushes, the whole material, I' become quietly and calm, but I realize it's also a bit of a form of escapism, a retreat into my own daydreams. At the moment it feels good. But I know, sometime, I think if I go outside again, I'll draw faster again. You said once, what and how one draw would not be so important, more important would be the attitude, the feeling with which one draws and which would have something to do with love for things, love for a landscape, for the people, the animals, the weather, the rain, the wind, the birds and the stories they tell,and all that and more can be seen in your drawings.
    . Herzliche Grüße Klaus

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