Drawing from life vs drawing from memory
I’ve mentioned before the idea that in order to draw well from the imagination, you have to build up a stock of knowledge by drawing from life. This might be complete rubbish, but it’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.
Certainly when it comes to drawing people, I rely on the many hours I spent at life drawing classes as a student *. Time spent consciously looking at a subject, asking yourself questions about it, finding solutions for representing its details, is all well spent. You’ll draw (no pun intended) on that knowledge later.
On the other hand, I feel I can draw a passable elephant without ever having sat down in front of one. I would be willing to bet, though, that my pictures of elephants would be a lot better if I did do that. And elephant experts would probably find plenty to quibble with in my current drawings. Besides, a sub-section of my theory dictates that drawing anything from life informs everything you subsequently draw.
An eye is an eye, elephantine or human. if you’ve drawn enough human eyes, you might tackle the elephant eye by asking yourself how it differs from that which you know so well. It’s a fair approach. Plus, an elephant’s leg, well, it’s a cylinder, and I’ve drawn them from life every time I draw a tin or a glass. So I have a point from which to begin.
I’m going to suggest an experiment for you. Draw something from memory, then go and draw it from life, and compare. Not necessarily, but not excluding, an elephant.
* I have just remembered reading recently that here in Brighton there are gay life drawing classes. Random fact. I wonder what the difference is.
Posted: October 3rd, 2007 under Confidence, Technique, Habits of successful artists.
Comments: 4
4 Comments
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What about drawing from pictures? Like if you can’t get to the zoo to actually look at and draw an elephant are pictures an acceptable substitute? I know you can never beat the real thing to an extent. As my dog never sits still long enough for me to get a good drawing pose of him. So picture works much better…Will be back with my drawing experiments.
Well, yeah - if you are responding to the picture, that’s as valid as responding to the reality, as long as you are not pretending that you are doing anything different, I reckon. I draw from pictures sometimes. I think you have to recognise it for what it is though - photos are flat and often show extremes of light and shade that the human eye wouldn’t discern in the same circumstances. The result will be different. Also, pictures can be reference, either to jog your memory of something you have seen, or to inform you about something you haven’t…
The first thing I remember regarding drawing is that I realised I could draw things from imagination, ‘create’ things that didn’t exist, things I wanted to express and wasn’t able with words,… so the truth is I wasn’t very interested in life drawing. But now I understand is the great basis (unless you’re gifted I guess) before you do anything else.
I’ve been fond of Northern countries since I was very young, and when I was 25 I went for almost a month around North Europe by train. I was blown away the very first moment I put my foot on Stockholm… OMG that yellow/orange light in contrast with the blues of water and sky and the green & red roofs…. (sigh…you see, I haven’t recovered yet).
I wish I could paint those landscapes & buildings in life, but I have to conform myself with trying to picture that feeling from imagination.
As usual, I adore this picture. And appreciate your considered response.