Tuesday, April 5, 2011

People who sketch People

After creatures at the zoo, I've been back looking at and sketching people, wherever I've been, sometimes making the effort going out specially to find some  - brush people, pen people, pen and wash people, water-soluble people.
I often seriously doubt my ability to render them while I'm at it, but usually at some stage after the sketch is done, I'll recognise something of what I was trying to capture, and forgive myself my shortcomings.
I often wonder while I'm sketching, if I am in fact enjoying myself - that only seems to happen after the session is over and I look at the sketches, and think... that was fun... wasn't it? It can be a bit of a panic, thinking its just not happening at all. And then it has, I (sometimes) realise later.

But not always, then I fiddle and faddle and add more colour or thicker lines until its thoroughly overworked and I'm fed up with it like this one...


Occasionally I'll see someone who really appeals to me, because of their clothes, or posture or attitude and rush down a few mad strokes and something good just happens - that woman in the red dress and white hat (top right) for instance - and I think finally I'm getting somewhere, that's how I want to sketch.
Then the next time I try, and am disappointed again but leave it just as it is and much later perhaps, oh well, maybe not as bad as I thought...
...it's a roller-coaster isn't it?!

21 comments:

Shirley said...

I feel like your soulmate - the desire is there, the anxiety before and during and then a little ray of hope that you managed to accomplish a few good sketches. I love your sketches in this posting. You display great movement and that is a real joy.

Suzanne McDermott said...

Darling... If you're thinking while your working, you're temporarily out of the moment. You can asses your enjoyment afterwards because you've been thoroughly absorbed while working which is exactly the state you hope for and which produces your best work. As for what youve posted here... Wow! A quantum leap with the first and foremost brush sketches and the pen and wash and wc that follow. Super!

A Brush with Color said...

Your sketches of people are wonderful--and yes, that woman in the red and white is fabulous. I love her stance and just the way you suggested the hat and the hot sun on her shoulders and upper arms etc. These are all delightful. I totally hear what you're saying. Been there, said that, done that...

Art with Liz said...

Oh Cathy you are my hero! (heroine?) I have so tried to go out and do what you do and come away with absolutely nothing that looks vaguely as amazing as your worst sketches! I'll wait a few weeks and then torment myself again...

Unknown said...

You are so right - it is a roller-coaster of emotions trying to sketch people. Love your woman in red, your gardeners are great too.

Cathy Holtom said...

I admire anyone who can sketch people, all mine look terrible! I especially like the man sweeping the leaves.

Bridget Hunter said...

I think your figures are wonderful - tey capture the moment before the person moved again. Great work.

ANAIS G. BURGOS said...

Very good job, Cathy!
Drawing figures in movement is very difficult for me... I have to practice more (I guess...)
Wishes! :)

vivien said...

it is a roller coaster - but these are lovely - especially the lady in the red hat, it's glorious :>)

Liz Steel said...

thank you for this post Cathy - you describe my experience and that is very encouraging... an experience that I should just accept and not think that I am the only one who goes through it. Particularly interested in your comments about the woman int he red dress - I realised I was forcing myself to draw people in the abstract - rather than people watch and then respond to a person(ality) that grabs my interest.

Helen Percy Lystra said...

Your thoughts about your people drawings are interesting -- helpful too. I need to spend more time looking.

RH Carpenter said...

Well, don't you know how amazing you are? Whether you're giving us a lot of information or a little - capturing the surroundings or just a touch here and there with the posture the message, it's all good, good, good!!!

Cathy said...

It is, and you describe it so well!! i'm glad I'm not the only one feeling all this! ... and yes, that woman with the red dress had caught my eye befor eyou mentioned her later on in the post; she's great!

I'm in France now, and hope to be able to go out and sketch a little tomorrow. I wanted to buy the pen you mentioned one day(the one with watercolour ink) but couldn't remember the name and couldn't find one similar... I think it's the one you used to sketch people at Rosebank Mall, remember?

carolking said...

Honey, if I could sketch people like you sketch people, I'd be prancing around like a peacock. (peahen?)

Your sketches are wonderful and always impart either a story or emotion.

Keep them coming please.

Gillian said...

Your sketch journey and journal is magical to the rest of us. JUST DO IT!!

Jacqueline said...

Wonderful people sketches! Really enjoyed seeing this.

Anonymous said...

your people sketches are wonderful Cathy! I agree with gillian..keep them coming!
Ronelle

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

How can you possibly say you have 'shortcomings' where your plein air people sketching is concerned. They are so diverse, with motion and character and tell a story. Brilliant to see so many together in one post.

Anonymous said...

Your people sketches are an encouragement to me~ they are great.

Val said...

I just found your blog from over at Suzanne's/"A Brush with Color" and love it. What talent. :)

Benjamin J. said...

Was looking around and stumbled upon your blog. So I ended up looking around and saw this entry. Absolutely wonderful, makes me just wanna go out and go people watch jus to see what may emerge on my moleskin. Awesome work