Someone told me a couple of weeks ago that I was “gifted” as she looked through my children’s books. I said, no, I just always drew things. Of course this led to other discussions with even the idea because my mother liked to draw, it might be an inherited “gift”. So I looked it up. No, anyone can draw, and draw well if they are willing to keep at it. It always fascinated me how it was possible to put an image of an object onto a flat page. And if I could get the most simple of objects drawn, then I could move on to more complex things. When I was quite young, I thought Walt Disney would call me and offer employment because I was so good at drawing the dogs from Lady and the Tramp. He never called and to be honest the line drawings of his characters were really quite simple…no shading necessary, just lines surrounding the space it took to suggest a couple of happy dogs ready to bounce around on the screen. Easy stuff. And I could understand how my fame for drawing never went beyond my mother’s interest….”that’s nice, dear.” She never even suggested I try drawing a flower or my own shoe. As long as I was amusing myself, that was good enough.
And I did keep amusing myself. Took art classes in school when offered. Tried different mediums. But always came back to the pencil with that wonderful ability to disappear under the pressure of an eraser.
When I was in Australia in 2005, Adele Outteridge challenged me to do a drawing a day for the following year. Here is how I did it to keep it simple, doable and fun.
A wide-spined concertina flag book filled with small tags in both directions of things around the house. 365 pages in total with the last on the inside back cover. This book is so much fun to open as it explodes between my hands when pulled apart.
Seven rows of fifty-two pages! And I never put a day off till the next. I didn’t want to let myself down by slacking off. And I loved it! Every day finding something I could fit on a tag…and then dating it.
Sketchbooks filled with drawings that became more complex over the years. This one is from a book I added stitched pieces to while adjusting to my husband be committed to a care center for those suffering dementia.
A couple of weeks ago at the library where we “Shut Up and Write”, I tried describing in a prose poem how to draw. Here is that piece that just came as natural as drawing itself.
Drawing S. Webster
I need to find something to draw. That is the first step. Next, lay a piece of paper at an angle, top edge leaning down on the left. Place a kneaded eraser nearby and pick up the mechanical pencil. I’ve chosen a wine bottle opener, turn it in my hand to see how it should look on the page. There. Flat on is always easier than the demands of perspective. I never get things right if looking at it from the foot or head. Lay it directly under my gaze and there it is. Now put that on the paper. Start drawing the left side first. Get all that perfect before moving a little to the right to get the next part. No sides of the palm smearing over fresh loose graphite. If it happens, shape the kneaded eraser to fit the parts needing to be removed. Continue drawing to the right and down. Decide where it needs to be darker, where the shading needs enhanced. Remind yourself that this might easily end up as a wadded-up ball in the bin. I could start over. But I won’t. Feelings of failure take over. Maybe try again tomorrow. Pour a glass of wine. Think about how much easier it would be to draw a glass of wine.
I used this past week’s time at the library to write the poem to go with the warrior chief drawing. This week I will try again since I am not that happy with the effort made. But I have gone back to the frog hauling his crown around while looking for the princess who will take a chance and give him a kiss.
Maybe a couple castles in the background. Wish there was a way to show him riding on a camel as he travels the land…….+ there is only so much space on the page. But I can describe it in the rhyming poem that goes behind the picture. I think a camel is the perfect way for a frog to set off in search of a princess, don’t you?
Anyway, it is getting time for lunch. I am thinking a creative Bloody Mary to go with a savoury scone I baked yesterday.
And a parting thought for those of you who wished they knew how to draw. Get to practicing. It’s either that or fall back on the excuse that your are simply not “gifted”.
Til later….