Thursday, June 7, 2007

Learning to draw beyond stick figures !

A few years ago I decided -- actually I was determined -- to learn to draw. I bought the book "Drawing for Dummies" -- can't tell you if its a good way to learn to draw because after 2 pages into it, I was not disciplined enough to follow their step by step , day by day method . Instead, I happened to notice the artwork on a roll of paper towels I had sitting on the kitchen counter -- there were cute little tea cups scattered here and there on the paper towels. As I stood there waiting for my tea kettle to boil, staring at my roll of paper towels, I said to myself -- "I can draw that. " -- so I did. I have found copying to be my best method of learning to draw. (which means I have to copy , then memorize how to draw something -- i.e. doesn't really come naturally to me -- I guess I'm not using the correct side of my brain -- I play the piano the same way -- I can play the piano as long as I have music to read , but take that music away and I'm lost! Now , to me, my approach is very "academic" -- not like a true artist who can sit down at the piano and compose an original song.) Anyhow, after drawing by copying other people's artwork for a couple of years, I'm happy to now say I have come up with quite a few of my own original drawings (which I'm not yet ready to show anybody) -- SO, here are a couple of my drawings that fall into the category of "not original ideas" -- the first one I copied from one of my favorite artists, Susan Branch . I just love her sweet little drawings and artwork --- and now she has fabric, too! ( I'm salivating just thinking about it!) . Anyhow, after I drew it and took a picture of it, I decided it needed a border, so I added the hearts and curly-q's (second picture). The tea cup drawing is a new version of that first tea cup "revelation" drawing I had while staring at my paper towel roll. Now, I have an actual drawing /drafting table (in the corner of the pink sewing room) -- a birthday gift from hubby and kids a few years ago. As you can see from the picture, it gets tons of sunny daylight -- which shows off all those great colorful crayons and colored pencils. Just makes ya want to draw and color something doesn't it? Maybe I'll try to be like Vallen and try to do a drawing a day --- or maybe every other day.....

Toodles,
Mary Anne (aka Mare)


6 comments:

Vallen said...

And so it begins. What fun we're going to have.

Revka said...

Huuray! Thanks for sharing; I think these are really cute. You'll get even better with practice; at least that's how the music thing works. :)

Darlene said...

Such talent. I can't draw stick figures or a straight line with a ruler. Your drawings are adorable! Enjoy.

Busy Little Quilter said...

I love your drawings. I can't draw, either. Maybe I need to get that Dummy book, too.

What's so amazing is that my older two kids can draw beautiful pictures, and pain really well, too. My 13 year old girl, though, took after me. She tries, and tries. She says she's not creative, but she really is. She is just creative in other ways just like her Mom!

Mary Anne said...

Thanks everybody - - for your encouragement and just humoring me about my drawings !!

Happy Zombie said...

WOW... and I thought I had a lot of colored pencils! I love your collection! The art of art, something like that, LOL. Your collection is beautiful, as are your drawings. :o)