StayHomeRetreat

Lesson 2

Meditative Graphite

Lesson - using a reference and finding your own way.

I used a charcoal reference by Agnes Grochulska

I am so taken by depth of her work and even though I didn’t want to work in charcoal but rather graphite I wanted to feel my way with studying her marks and finding the dark and light values.

I loved seeing, finding and allowing her piece to lead me to find my own way.

Drawing can be slow and this piece took me some time, I have speeded up a little bit because it’s already a long piece.  I also don’t talk in my video because watching someone draw with beautiful music is beautifully meditative and I didn’t want to tamper with that.

Some notes:-

 I don’t measure up and I pretty much find a starting point, usually always, an eye.  Part of my daily drawing practice is to get my eye and hand coordination in naturally.  Sometimes I’m completely off but I allow the tweaking to continue throughout the whole process of drawing.

1. I use basic principles to help me find my way.  Like the edges of my mouth line up with the center of the eyes.

2. I shape out the light spaces and shade in the dark values.

3. I use artistic licence.  I know I will never be able to replicate what Agnes has done but seeking always adds a new depth to what I’m doing.  I find it too limiting to imitate but you will see when I start to find my own direction and way. I love having the guidance.  Seeking her lines, marks and strokes is like having her sit alongside me.

4. Some of my raw intermediate phases are my best and I wish I could just stop right there.

Supplies

1.  Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm HB

2. Erasers of your Choice

3. Fabriano Graphite Paper or paper of your choice.

4. Clean Paint brush for dusting

There are incredible gifts that come out of daily drawing or regular drawing and I do highly recommend the practice.  There is such humility in the pencil and sometimes it is more than enough.