Back to Basics

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I like to draw without any reference. It means I can take a sketchbook anywhere and come out with ideas from my own imagination.
Yeah right! In an ideal world this is how I would draw forever, but now and again it's really important for me to study at how things really look rather than make up my own version. I'm doing a bit of copying at the moment and then hopefully I can start to 'fly' again just like a dragonfly!

Comments

Karen said…
I am the same :) I so love to draw from the imagination but have to take time to do some pages of observing and copying. Otherwise things can start to get 'rusty';)

Pretty dragonflies.
x
28 April 2009 at 10:36
Buskitten said…
Well I think you're always flying high Jessie, with your beautiful work - but I agree, it's good discipline to make yourself really look. Looking + processing = understanding, doesn't it? If I'm stuck with something not looking right I say, hold on; stop and look!
28 April 2009 at 10:50
Val's Dragonfly Whimsy said…
I love your study on dragonflies, my very very favourite subject to paint! All you artwork is quite lovely...regards, Val
28 April 2009 at 11:02
Jess said…
Thanks Karen and Liz :)
Hi Vania, thankyou, they are such lovely shapes and colours to paint aren't they?
28 April 2009 at 14:32
Andrea and Kim said…
You know I think often the basics can spur on the imagination in unexpected ways, too. Even if you do copy by hand a bit, it still belongs to you. We can't truly copy unless it is by photographic means. I think the wrong comes in when you put another's name on the work or do not give credit where credit is due, right?

I am loving these little guys, by-the-way!
28 April 2009 at 16:28
Jess said…
Thanks Kim, I find it's like a springboard to doing my own work when I'm feeling stuck and uninspired. Just the mark-making alone gets you started again doesn't it?
28 April 2009 at 16:44
Unknown said…
these are wonderful!!! great work
28 April 2009 at 18:35
Nicola said…
Great Dragonflies! I did a similar type of exercise myself with Dragonflies. They are so intricate. A great subject to try and copy. Well done!
28 April 2009 at 22:38
anna wadham said…
You've been very busy lately!! So much here for me to look at! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. To answer your question- I nearly always use a mix of paint and oil pastels ;)
29 April 2009 at 00:13
Jess said…
Thanks Diane and Nicola :)

Thanks Anna!
29 April 2009 at 09:01
Unknown said…
So beautiful your dragonflies are!
I love this kind of study, because once you've looked at what this dragonfly really looks, it will be engraved in your mind and you will be able to come up with this drawing at any time.
I love their tiny little spikes on the legs:)
Andrea
29 April 2009 at 15:21
Jess said…
Thanks Andrea, There's so much more to them than on first glance isn't there?
30 April 2009 at 09:23
Anne said…
This study on different ways is very intersting.
2 May 2009 at 08:41
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