What we no longer see...
Dear Sarah - 041
Hi Nikki
February 10, 2025
Art class today focused on negative/supportive space and proportions. First up is a contour drawing of an easel, in pen. Getting all the negative spaces the right size in relation to all the other negative spaces was really hard. I started at the bottom and worked my way up, which was an okay plan for the contour drawing, but didn't work well at all for the second drawing, which is a detailed pencil sketch. I think I drew the uprights about four times (so much erasing!) before I even came close to an accurate rendering. I should have started with the central strut first and then the two outer struts, making sure those angles were correct. Lesson learned.
I think the most difficult thing about learning new things (particularly as an adult) is accepting that not being good at something (yet) does not make you a failure. Instead of fixating on what is "wrong" with a drawing, I'm trying hard to find something I like about each drawing I attempt. Not very profound, I know, but seems important.
The whole class found this exercise difficult, I think. Lots of good-natured grumbling, lots of squinting at vertical and horizontal pencils held at arm's length, and lots of support and instruction from Natalie.
Today it is brilliantly sunny (yay) but windy (boo). My plan to walk on a nearby trail was kiboshed by too many patches of ice. I treated myself to a hot chocolate and a scone at a cafe instead.
Dear Sarah -
Feb 10, 2025
I don’t suppose there’s a more negative (or fleeting) space than a shadow on a wall.
A frenetically busy day today and still not done! So… no time for rumination and a small miracle that I captured this shadow before it disappeared… BTW - I can’t tell what you erased and what’s left looks pretty good!
Until tomorrow!