Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Fashion School






Today I did something I've been wanting to do for ages - I went to the Design academy where my daughter Dominique works as a lecturer, and was kindly allowed to lurk around the edges as they prepared for a big fashion show. I started with shaky line drawings in a sketchpad, then bravely decided to bring out my lovely new A4 Moleskine watercolour notebook and full W&N wooden-box set. What a great place to sketch... I felt like I was just getting into the flamboyance, excitement and tension of it all, when I suddenly felt quite exhausted and had to call it a day - I hope to go back again sometime and go straight in with colours and confidence!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have been really sketching away heare as of late. This one is so great. How you captured the manikins ect and people just love this one.Happy Mr. Turkey Day,
Always,
Linda

Charlene Brown said...

With so much activity, and so many fantastic designs and people and fascinating details, you seem to have gotten around the difficulty of selecting your subjects by drawing absolutely everything! This is incredible -- and beautifully done.

Cathy Gatland said...

Thanks Linda :)

Charlene, it was very busy in there... believe me, I left a lot out! Thanks so much though!

Felicity Grace said...

Beautiful sketches! It looks like a really inspiring environment!

Maree Clarkson said...

The sketches are absolutely gorgeous Cathy! I admire your adeptness at capturing people on the move. I also just received my A4 Moleskine last week, bliss!

Carol King said...

OMG! These sketches are fantastic. I'm always so jealous of people like you. I just love all the beautiful colors in the dresses and how you were able to capture all the "flamboyance".

Annie Jolivet-Vilbois said...

Wow! You are so lucky to have been able to sketch there! The textures and lines must have been wonderful.
Your sketches are so spontaneous and true!

Cathy Gatland said...

Hi Felicity - it was inspiring, I hope they'll let me back there again!

Thanks Maree, it's a lovely sketchbook isn't it - just have to get over the intimidating aspect of all those big white pages!

No Carol! don't be jealous, otherwise I'll have to be jealous back of your combination of wit and arty talent!

Cathy Gatland said...

Annaig, we must have posted our comments at the same time... I felt very lucky to be there! Thanks for visiting and your kind words.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Great day at the Design Academy with lots of sketches of all that activity. Lovely contrast between the coloured and line drawings.

Suzanne McDermott said...

Wow, Cathy, these are magnificent!! You really did a lot of work and it's understandable that you were suddenly tired. The way you captured the fabrics and figures is fabulous!!

Cathy Gatland said...

Thanks Joan, yes, I have to keep reminding myself I don't have to put colour everywhere!

Hi Suzanne - thanks so much! I need to get 'sketching fit' - I forgot how tiring a long session can be.

Suzanne McDermott said...

More from my teaching than personal work, I've learned that the act of drawing from life requires exceptional energy and can only be kept up for so long. I say this because, if it were only from my personal experience, I might be as hard on myself about needing to get "fit", to be better, do more, etc. In fact, we really need to rest in between spurts of exertion, if only to see with fresh attention. I heard this morning that Leonardo da V. was quite the napper.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Can't believe I almost missed this post, Cathy. Such a stimulating and magical environment to hang out and sketch.

Your simple but true line work always leaves me speechless. I just love it.

Cathy said...

Indeed, what a great place to sketch!! It makes me think of the hours Degas spent at the opera sketching the ballet dancers!

Teresa said...

Cathy - these are fabulous! Wow! I really love them. You captured the gauzy, slick, ruffly fabric perfectly. They remind of Degas' ballet dancers... seriously.

Degas.... eat your heart out!