I was just reading in Katy Hessel’s new book, that it was not until the end of the nineteenth century that women were allowed to study the nude from life. I’m so thankful to live in times when we all have so many opportunities. It’s better for all of us! Published 2022
Tag Archives: line
Live line sketching
What fun it is making some quick sketches in real time, and with subjects who keep moving! A Mum had taken her two little children to catch crabs at a quay side. I was high above, sipping coffee, and got out my sketch book! Looking for the main shape and drawing it quickly was required,Continue reading “Live line sketching”
Lunchtime
The most basic element of art is line. Using a bold fibre-tipped ink pen I sketched a few items on the table in the cafe and applied ink wash later. I had in mind John Minton’s cook book illustrations in which he fills the whole space. Sketching in situ like this means you don’t setContinue reading “Lunchtime”
Lots of lines
In the middle of this roundabout in Radstock you can make out a sculpture of an NHS worker with face mask, stethoscope and Croc shoes – holding a heart. In the background you can also make out another sculpture with the words ‘Thank you NHS’. It might have been a pragmatic decision that was theContinue reading “Lots of lines”
On the double
What happens if you take not-quite complementary colour pens, hold them a finger apart and at the same time, and draw anything!? Something a bit 3D ! The third picture here, of the pepper grinder, was drawn with complementary colours and doesn’t have quite the same effect. Fun though! Although the effect was accidental whenContinue reading “On the double”
Contrasting pencil
I wanted to do a precise drawing, to take the time to look closely and draw what I observed. I had a lovely stalk of wheat, quite small and very pale, but close up there were lovely shapes and beautiful detail. I took a photo of it, cropped the image to the shape I wanted,Continue reading “Contrasting pencil”
Christmas snow
Aren’t Christmas cards great! Not only do you get lovely messages from friends, but you get some beautiful art too! This card depicting a scene from a print by Utagawa Hiroshige caught my eye. It is a section of a larger work in which two woman stand either side of this scene, looking beyond theirContinue reading “Christmas snow”
Space and Substance
John Minton’s illustrations are very striking! I wanted to see more of them, so I bought Elizabeth David’s book Mediterranean Food published in 1950, in which we find Minton’s illustrations that accompany the recipes. Then I decided to draw one of his illustrations – the frontispiece for the chapter on “Substantial Dishes”. Minton confines himselfContinue reading “Space and Substance”
Time Was Away
It was the simplicity of line that drew me to this illustration on a book cover of a travel book, published soon after WWII, with drawings by John Minton. I loved the way he builds up the picture with layers of lines – and no better way to get to know a person’s style thanContinue reading “Time Was Away”
Wildsmith’s Lines
I have pretty much always loved books, but this summer I became entranced by the illustrations you find on book jackets. Beginning with the marvellous book The Illustrated Dust Jacket 1920-1970, by Martin Salisbury I have really started noticing what wonderful works of art there are on the front covers of books. So I haveContinue reading “Wildsmith’s Lines”
How to Write About Art 