My fourth pencil drawing isn't done yet. I started it after work and then drew some more in bed before losing consciousness. One of those I-really-want-to finish-it-but-I'm-so-tired things. So this morning, I opened my sketchbook not really knowing what to expect. I liked it last night, but I could also hardly keep my eyes open, so not the greatest judge at that point.
Hmm. It basically looks like the photo, but she's much more... sturdy. I can clearly see where I veered off course, but I kind of like it. Not a huge fan of insipid poses on models. This one was doing that odd lip pout and had kind of a vacant I'm-trying-to-look-mysterious-and-seductive-while-thinking-about-absolutely-nothing expression. I didn't capture the pout... and I'm okay with that! Instead she looks like she's about to tell you something; something you might not really want to hear. She kind of reminds me of a Picasso nude I saw in the L'Orangerie a couple of years ago. She also was of a sturdier body type. Not fat, but bones and muscle. Powerful. I was captivated by that painting and stood there quite a while. I certainly can't compare myself to Picasso, but i definitely admired the fact that he painted the nude in that manner. Her nudity was almost unnoticeable compared to the sense of self she radiated.
At any rate, I'm obviously not done. I need to add the full gradation of shades - it's all light to medium at this point. And she has no modeling at all in her neck and shoulders.
Some of you may be saying but if it doesn't look exactly like the photo, isn't it wrong? That was my first, shortly lived thought. The words of my drawing teacher from last summer, Joshua Fallik at the Art Students League of Denver (fantastic drawing teacher - I highly reccommend him, and I heard he's amazing in his painting class, too): The model is just for reference. She will always go away. The drawing is what lasts.
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