With this exercise I just took the opportunity to draw my model as it arose rather than asking them to pose, and therefore completed this over a few days.
Therefore each of the sketches is from a natural position, (with the model often moving) and completed very quickly.
I tried to concentrate on form and tone, and to ignore outlines, but generally used line and cross hatching to do this, trying different mediums to achieve this.
Graphite pencil on paper
Graphite pencil on paper
Oil pastel on paper
Ball pint pen on paper
Marker pen on paper.
When I had completed the sketches, I realised that in drawing people I seem to be much happier with a quite abstract approach than I am when drawing landscape. I find this quite interesting as it seems I am less concerned with the level of detail I achieve and happier to just make suggestive marks for people whereas the opposite is true in landscapes. I struggle to understand this as I desperately want to achieve the same approach to landscapes and am drawn to artists who do achieve this.
My only conclusion is that my confidence in drawing people is greater due to more experience with this. This reinforces my need to practice more in the subjects I’m not confident in drawing, but it also helps to inspire me to continue my current practice in the belief that I can improve and develop my techniques.
Deborah McAulay 