Here’s a bit more about the drawing class. After we drew Igor Stravinsky upside down and then drew our hand, we went on to perspective. After a lecture and a demo, we all split up to find a corner to do a perspective drawing.
Since I’m having hot flashes lately (I KNOW! What’s up with that????) and it was a nice day I decided to go upstairs onto the roof to do my perspective drawing joined by one other classmate. We had an interesting view, looking through some broken lattice at roof tops. So, in addition to doing my first “perspective” drawing, I was also doing it plein air. (So there WRJones.)
The light changed so many times it was making me crazy. One time when the teacher came up to check on us, we complained about the light. He laughed and said that’s what made the Impressionists go insane.
Unfortunately, the above photo is not the best quality. I was on a roof deck, looking through some woodwork with the lattice-work below and some bamboo on the right side. Through this I could see some roof structures and then more buildings. I really enjoyed doing this drawing.
The following day the instructor talked about portraits, did a demo and then it was our turn. YIKES. After the obligatory apologies to our “models” off we went. My model was Brian (not the teacher Brian). And here he is with help from the teacher.
I needed help, but did a lot of it myself. First of all, WHO KNEW the ear was SO FAR AWAY from the facial features. And the back of the head???? Miles away. The photo is a little blurry. Sorry. It’s probably for the best.
Next post will be my “final” which was a self-portrait. I am giving you time to laugh now.
On another note, I have decided I am old. How do I know this?
1. I no longer know who the “people” are who are featured in People Magazine.
2. If I see Jon and Kate on TV one more time my head will explode. That will NOT make an attractive self portrait the next time I give it a try. (I never even knew who they were before they split.)
3. Does anyone care that David Letterman had an affair? Or affairs? My only reaction was REALLY? Women actually agreed to sleep with him?
Wow.
Carol King: drawing, painting, complaining 
22 comments
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October 8, 2009 at 12:22 am
lesliepaints
I absolutely love your perspective drawing. I can imagine where you sat. Your angles begin to vanish upward and the toplines of the buildings are very believable. The lattice work is exceptional and the railings….you even got railings in! As for the light…it changes.I read that one artist went with what he saw at the time and it changed across his painting. Others want to get it right so they take a photo when the light is where they like it and do everything but the shading, plein air. It’s up to you. You have choices. Nice portrait, Carol. You are not a beginner. You are happening! Who cares about David Letterman affairs. My thoughts exactly.
October 8, 2009 at 2:42 am
carolking
I wish I had a better photo. I really enjoyed doing this drawing and it was so nice to be sitting outside up on the roof. I think it’s hard to see the details in this drawing, but I guess you get the idea.
October 8, 2009 at 12:30 am
jimmyboi2
Excellent! You are a drawing machine !!
And your commentary– I can imagine you talking, as I wait to make my OWN comments.
xoxoxoxx
October 8, 2009 at 2:44 am
carolking
Jim! As we BOTH KNOW: One person talks while the other person WAITS.
Not quite a drawing machine yet. Work is killing me this week. Haven’t had a chance to draw anything…not even a breath it seems.
October 8, 2009 at 10:50 am
judylobo
Who are Jon and Kate?
October 8, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Deva
I think I’m old then too… I watched Jon and Kate at first, but then I got so exhausted from watching it, I stopped.. Haha.
But they don’t sell People magazine here. They do sell some magazines similar, and I know about half of the people they write about. It’s just not that interesting…
October 8, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Bonnie Luria
So fess up.
Really. Not about Jon and Kate, or David Letterman or even the zygotes on the cover of People Magazine.
I’m talking about your drawing.
That’s right.
The thing you say you haven’t done in 30 years.
You’re lying.
I know it.
You’ve been drawing every day since 6th grade and I’m not going to believe anything you say to the contrary.
If this is your beginners attempts, I’d better make an offer to buy one now, because at this rate, in a year, I won’t be able to afford one.
Your drawing skill is fantastic. And that you like it is a winning combination.
I’ve got pencils, charcoal, pads, paper and a few things to draw when you’re here.
If you have the time, that is.
It’s hard to hold charcoal with one hand, a pad in the other- it leaves no hand free for a beverage with a paper umbrella in it.
October 10, 2009 at 1:16 am
carolking
Oh Bonnalaaaaaaa! You are too kind! But really, the teacher helped with all the drawings. Now I just have to draw at home. Work, work, work.
October 8, 2009 at 11:02 pm
kseverny
carol, you cool. in following your progress i see a huge improvement in every post. Leslie’s right. you are not a beginner
October 10, 2009 at 1:16 am
carolking
Kokot, You cool too!
October 9, 2009 at 8:56 am
jaybastian
Nice job Carol. Your portrait is great.
October 10, 2009 at 1:16 am
carolking
Thanks so much Jay!
October 9, 2009 at 4:38 pm
gypsy-heart
I followed you home from gypsyp-heart. 🙂
I think your work is great, and I love your sense of humor!!
As of late, it is a challenge for me to get around to visit blogs like I used to, but I will do my best to check in. Blogs that make me laugh are moved to the top of the list.
Again..so glad you stopped by!
Good and creative energies to you,
~gypsy-heart
October 10, 2009 at 1:17 am
carolking
Hi gypsy-heart. Nice to see you here. Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for sending good and creative energies. I can certainly use them.
October 10, 2009 at 1:23 am
wrjones
Carol this is a great drawing. Now I’m thinking you have been overly modest. The ability is certainly there. The changing light in plein air is a major problem. It is why people do “studies” and they are small. Did it make you insane? Do you still have both ears?
Hot flashes – lucky Matt. Winter is coming on. Nothing better than a hot flash to warm you in the night.
October 10, 2009 at 11:29 am
InkSplodge!
Impressive observation and skill Carol – especially as your view was incredibly complicated. At least your hot flashes kept you warm for drawing outside. I can’t do perspective for toffee, or anything else for that matter.
Well done on the portrait too – good use of tones. Apologising beforehand is a good tip.
October 10, 2009 at 6:14 pm
swatch
hey Carol – this is such great work – there is so much detail in your rooftop painting – your teacher sounds great – we need this – a comment about the impressionists – lovely!
Well done – this is so good.
Isn’t interesting how our features are placed? Take nothing away from what you are doing here – this is all very special work.
October 10, 2009 at 7:13 pm
rahinaqh
you have such a lovely sense of humour: like a sweet with a bit of spice:) by the way, i read somewhere that one of the greatest disservices done to art is carried out within classrooms around the world when kids are asked to draw lines rather than values… this set the scene for their drawing and painting in their later years: lines, lines and more lines unfotunately. i realised something which helped me to develop my drawing and painting: values, values and more values. r.
October 12, 2009 at 9:14 pm
napabelle
Wonderful drawings. I love the portrait. You must have done this before! Very impressive. Such patience!
October 15, 2009 at 3:45 am
AKLizzy
I’m wowed by your Igor and the roof top drawings!!! Bravo!
(And for what it’s worth – I don’t know who the “people” in People magazine are either.)
October 17, 2009 at 6:12 am
CathyG
Hi Carol – Thanks for your comment, I am happy to find your great blog – I never realised art could be so funny!
November 30, 2009 at 1:38 pm
alina1985
Wooooow.I’m without words.The drawings are magnificent.I like to admire the drawings of a profesional person.You have much imagination and this a very good thing cause you can draw what you like and inspire you too 🙂
Enjoy your day,Carolking!!! 🙂