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| © 2013 R.L. Delight, 30 minute pose, charcoal on toned paper. |
I sure wish life drawing were mandatory in all schools. Perhaps if it were many more people would see the incredible beauty of the human form, both female and male, in all its variety. I think we would have a lot more respect for our own bodies no matter what the shape and color, and the ridiculous, narrow, confining, and
OK, stepping down from my soapbox now. I always feel that way after a life drawing session as I am always awed anew at the beautiful human form. I have drawn all ages, shapes, colors, sizes, and genders and have yet to not feel that awe.
I am improving, slowly as I don't get to life drawing as much as I would like to. That is OK though, for now. I am about to get less life drawing in as plein air season is upon us and I am about to go full steam ahead. This blog should be humming after the past few weeks of quiet so batten down the hatches a paint storm is a-coming.
* Yes, I believe the models used in said narrow standard definition of beauty are in fact, as beautiful as you and I, but what I find insulting is that the images are digitally manipulated beyond what the human form actually is and are often used, not to portray beauty, but to sell a product through the prostitution of the human form. Don't get me started on the pressure to surgically enhance ones body to fit that standard! Strong words I know, and fine lines and slippery slopes are included.
4 comments:
R.L. what a surprise to see this. One of the things I'm looking forward to in my return home is getting back to life drawing.There's no one working from the model anywhere near here. I had luck transporting my charcoal drawings by spraying them lightly with fixative, covering them with a piece of tracing paper and putting them in two pieces of cardboard taped like a portfolio. A bit of the charcoal will come off but not much and you can stack the drawings without one drawing transferring to another.
Wow, it's been a while since you lasted posted a life drawing. To my eye, your skills have improved by leaps and bounds. Nice job on this one. As to beauty, I find I go between finding it silly and horrifying our obsession with the present day narrow ideal of beauty. And lets not forget the constant pursuit of youth....
Theresa G-L. I am fortunate indeed as in our tiny town of 730 full time people we actually have a weekly life drawing session and it is a mere 4 block walk for me. I usually draw on newsprint, on purpose as I view life drawing as practice and don't keep them. This one was on the toned Strathmore drawing paper which allows me to blend better than rough newsprint. I do appreciate the tips though. I miss doing long poses (for those who don't know, long poses are a single pose drawn over the course of days and weeks). Perhaps in the Fall.
Hi Theresa! I know what you mean about the obsession on youth and looking young too. That is something else I would like to address in my work one day. I still would like to paint a series of portraits of women over 50. While I appreciate beauty in all its forms I am awfully tired of seeing nudes and portraits of lovely twenty something young women. One of the reasons I admire the Women Painting Women site listed in my links is that we women look at and portray ourselves and women differently. I wouldn't mind seeing more men portrayed in art either. The male body has a different kind of beauty.
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