Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Sketchbook Tuesday - a lesson in seeing

This is the second sketch that I did in my sketchbook of this bowl of apples. I am not going to show you the first because it did not make me happy. When I first sat down at the table with this bowl of apples in front of me and started in with my watercolor I was thinking about a billion things, none of them having anything to do with sketching. So I began by painting the bowl. I then looked, and had placed the bowl right in the middle of the page. Why did I do that? But, still without thinking I continued to paint, putting the apples into the bowl. It was awful. A struggle, to say the least. So I put my sketching gear away, disappointed with my lack of attention and my failed sketch.

The next day, feeling calmer, I decided that I really did want to try to get a sketch of these apples in this blue glass bowl. So I started in again, only this time I began by looking at the apples. I painted in the apple shapes one at a time and when satisfied enough then I began to concentrate on the bowl. Even though the perspective isn't perfect, by looking at the apples first I was able to get a sketch that pleased me, the one posted above. I suppose some days are like that. You are either looking at the bowl containing the apples or seeing the apples in the bowl.

13 comments:

  1. The apples are begging me to take one! Just lovely. I've done those same silly things with sketches. You nailed it... head not in the frame of mind. I think that's why I love the process so much. The journey is a total escape.

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  2. They're just asking to be eaten! Great work, Ann!

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  3. This one is spot on, Ann!! Just beautiful!

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  4. So lovely! I can almost smell the deliciousness of the apples!

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  5. I know that we all can obsess on "perspective" but I found your bowl to be charming and so immediate, giving me the feeling that I am right there in the room with the beautiful blue bowl and yummy looking apples. My brain didnt register any wobble to the perspective.

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  6. Wow...they look wonderful..and bright colors...and I also like how that blue bowl gets a nice glassy effect.

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  7. A great sketch of the apples, i?m glad you persevered!

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  8. beautiful apples, they look delicious! I'm glad you decided to give it another try

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  9. beautifully drawn :) I wish we could get fresh apples here

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  10. This is just beautiful, Ann. I clicked on the photo to get the large version (I really wanted to read the words) and was instantly blown away by the gorgeous color in this piece!

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  11. This is beautiful to me, sometimes I wish artists could see their work through the eyes of we non-artists, perhaps then they wouldn't be so self critical.

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  12. Great apples Ann, we all have days like that!

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  13. Well this version looks great. I love the glassy look to the bowl.

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