The view from Paul's bedroom window yesterday. Today, it's even darker and it's pouring with rain. While England is struggling under the worst snowfall in years, there has hardly been any here and then when it did snow it melted again the next day. Just lots and lots of rain. I wasn't expecting it today though. I had planned to go out yesterday and do some drawing - just some little thing to get me started and get over the fear of drawing in public. I decided that the sketchbooks I normally take with me might be part of the problem so I had a look to see what else I had and found a couple on the bookshelf I couldn't even remember buying!
I definitely can't remember buying the black Daler Rowney sketchbook but it has a price sticker from Kuwait so it was obviously bought at that time. That was exactly what I was looking for! Then I realised it was the same as the book I used to keep my 'perfect' drawings in, years ago - that's the book on top. But then I found the exact same book (below) with a different cover and I decided that that was the one. Why? Because it already has two little sketches in it so I don't even have to worry about messing up the first page! Now that really is perfect! It's funny too to see this little sketch. It's the view in my wing mirror as I sat in the car outside the school waiting for the boys to come out - all big clunky 4x4's and bouncy American saloons.
Above those hardback books, I've included my tiny 'tram sketchbook', with very little in it, and in the middle, my 'TV sketchbook' which is nearly full and about to become the only sketchbook I've every completed! I have another one (on the left of it) ready to start when that happens.
The resolve had dwindled away by the time I finished going through my books so I thought I'd do a test run looking out of Paul's bedroom window, to see how I liked the format and how long that view would take me. Let's just say, a lot longer than I thought with all those windows and balconies!
I did eventually get out, but there wasn't time to draw. On the way home though, I bumped into Paul on the tram and he happened to mention that he did some sketching today. During a lesson they were made to watch a 'boring' film so he drew his trainers to fill in time. This morning, he showed me the drawing and I was absolutely stunned. He's never enjoyed art at school but always got high marks despite his protestations. I've assumed all these years that neither of my two had picked up the inclination to draw. How wrong I was! He's definitely got the talent, but also he's thinking of things around him whereas I just used to copy photos in magazines when I was at his age. I always thought, if anyone, it would be Alex who might have it. Now, I'm going to be keeping a much closer eye on both of them!
7 comments:
Hi,
I really like the drawing out of Paul's window. Very nice, indeed!
Isn't it fun to find old sketch books? I love looking through the ones from high school. What a blast! I have only ever filled a couple of sketchbooks completely. Most of my sketchbooks only have a few pages used in them. I have sketchbooks for different things. One is my purse/pocket sketchbook. I have a sitting on the couch watching TV sketchbook. I have a "going out with family on trips" sketchbook, and a "good" sketchbook, etc. You get the idea.
My son, the musician, always acted like I was torturing him when we would sketch together. I finally gave up on trying to get him to have an interest in creating visual art. Now, at 17, he does do sketches in a Robert Crumb style (with his own twist). It turns out that my son is very competitive and felt that he could never be "as good as mom" so he didn't want to do it. When he discovered that mom cannot do cartoons or sculptures, those are the things that he does. And, he is pretty good at them.
Perhaps your sons did not want to compete with you?
Once you draw out in public a few times you will become more relaxed and really enjoy it.
Thanks Ana! It's funny how we need different sketchbooks for different things and one that is perfect for one subject is all wrong for another!
Yes, I got the tortured look too - I'm sure there is an element of not feeling good enough, and perhaps being the subject of too much attention if the secret slips out! He certainly has an eye for car design so I knew the creative streak was there somewhere!
I don't think I ever saw you sketch a building before. Based on this great example, you should do more. There is just no end to your talent (or your son's sounds like).
I have lots of sketchbooks and they seem to have a different purpose that just fell into place.
I have a stash of new sketchbooks - all too good to risk sketching in! I do my best work in the cheap ones that don't matter.
Very good sketch of that building, Felicity, you aren't going to have any trouble at all sketching en plein air. When someone who is such a drawing talent as you is nervous about sketching in public one realises just how 'normal' this initial nervousness is.
How lovely to see your son discovering the delights of sketching.
I am sure that the "fear" that you say you possess will soon pave way for a love for capturing your world and the colors it possesses. All the rest will just be like "white noise" in the background.
Have fun!
I was hoping you'd post his sketch too. The view out his window is wonderful and I loved seeing all the sketchbooks. I have a stack on my shelf waiting for me too. I've been too wiped out the past few weeks to do much sketching and I'm missing it. We're finally getting some rain too. Much needed!
Teri, thanks! I was going to say I've done a few but then I checked and I've done far fewer than I thought!
Robyn, thanks for the encouragement! 'All too good to risk sketching in' LOL! I know that feeling! I put those one away until I've forgotten buying them and then the terror is forgotten too!
Thanks Robin. I've been scouting for locations but the weather has been wet and miserable. I hope to get out there soon.
Jana, I'd never get permission to do that! He thinks it's a fluke, but I see big potential! Hope you're feeling better now.
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