Life Drawing & an Art Opening

I had a great weekend, that really started with Friday night when I went to Karen Matheis’s art opening. (We we in the same dorm in college!) Not only was it fun to get out and be social and to support my friend, but I also set in motion possibly having my own show!

While at the opening, I spoke to the person who coordinated the art at this lovely space. Having a real art show will definitely give me something to work for. I still feel like I’m in the process of finding my new path in terms of art, or exploring more what I’ve already been doing. I know it will probably be a long, evolutionary process. So having an art show as a goal is exciting and scary at the same time.

After the opening, I went out for drinks and dinner with a group of people. It was great, and made me realize just how reclusive I’ve been–not really because I wanted to be, but it just often works out that way. I keep saying I need to get out at least once a week and work in a coffee shop. This was a good reminder of how much I need to get out more, even if it ends up being by myself.

Then Saturday, was an open life drawing session at the university. I’m so thankful they have them–they’re FREE! With a real live model and everything. I wish they had the sessions more often. Another note to self: find more drawing session groups!

This one (above) is my favorite from this session. I used my favorite Faber-Castell Pitt Big Brush Artist Pen and my Koi watercolor set. I also used some Prismacolor Art Stix. They are basically like a colored pencil, but in a stick form. I like to use them for a little bit of accent.

With the above drawing, I drew with an Akashiya Sai watercolor brush marker and then added more with watercolor. Sometimes I like to draw with watercolor brush markers, and then go over them with a waterbrush to get the softened, watercolor effect.

I definitely prefer adding color to my drawings than just doing pencil drawings. I’m more of a gestural person, so the color helps capture that feeling. I also find I like my drawings better when I just dive right in with markers to draw with instead of doing a foundation first with pencil. I like movement and spontaneity, and I feel working this way conveys that.