365 Days of Drawing Challenge - 346 to go...

I decided to chose something really simple to draw last night. A humble gooey candy apple. I don't know what was wrong with me but it was like walking with weights uphill in super glue.

I am reminded that one's heart has to be in something to do a good job. Mine wasn't.

I remember years ago taking tortuous figure painting classes at The Brentwood Art Center in Los Angeles long before my skill set was ready to and there was this gorgeous older French lady in the class who did incredible large figure paintings while looking very chic.

Looking back now, they all looked exactly the same. A formula if you like. But her draughtsmanship skills were superb. Stylized but great. I especially loved the way she drew/painted feet. They were George Bridgeman all over. He taught Norman Rockwell at The Arts Students League of New York and remains an inspiration to me and many others. I carry his small iconic anatomy book in my purse every day to doodle from. I don't feel right if it is not with me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bridgman

I remember in frustration talking to this french dame on the class break as I could barely get a head on the canvas in the right spot at that time. I had yet to study with Sheldon Borenstein http://www.sheldonsartacademy.com/ and Glenn Villpu for drawing. See previous post. The teacher of the figure class told me it was o.k. to draw a head going off a canvas and showed me a book of other artists who had done this. I didn't believe her for a second. Fine if you planned it that way but I hadn't.

I asked the french lady for some tips... what was I doing wrong? Peut-etre?

She replied:" Darling, zee have to fallz inz love wiz what you are doingz".

I have never forgotten that comment. She was right.

If you ain't loving what you are drawing, and just want to get to an episode of Law and Order or The Bachelorette (groan) it will show.

Hopefully tonight will be better.

All drawings for sale.