Lapiz – Pencil Punta- Point
Sharpening my Ebony pencil, I present the first of a series of drawings paired with quotes pertaining to the importance of drawing and art. This will discipline me to take a timeout each week for the joy of drawing and share those drawings with you! Here’s the first quote of the series:
“It is often said that Leonardo drew so well because he knew about things; it is truer to say that he knew about things because he drew so well.” (Kenneth Clark)
I hope that you enjoy the series!
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Ah, yes! Drawing and spending time in observation does impart a different, more intimate knowledge of an object or place. Good quote, and nice drawing, z!
thank you, ruth! you certainly know the importance of good drawing skills; your watercolors always reflect your mastery!
Z…they will speak to the artist I keep within and hopefully move her so much that I will soon be painting again 🙂 un abrazo, Alexandra
That would be so wonderful! If I knew that would trigger a renaissance in you, I’d start firing one off each day!
The act of sharpening a pencil often does wonders!
Z, I wish… I am waiting patiently for summer to arrive and for school to end in hopes of finally finding THE MOMENT to paint… Some might say hat I am just making excuses, but you, being a true artist will know that it’s not just about wanting or being inspired, it’s also about timing and circumstances, having e supplies, setting up…plus the fact that I hate starting and not finishing… Yeah, excuses, excuses… I try not to think about it too much and just wait for summer… 🙂
i understand totally. we all have our methods of working up to creating that art. i have to have everything/tasks out of the picture, dishes washed, garden watered, etc, before i can focus 100 percent on the art. when i am there, i don’t want to stop for anything. today while working on photos, i burned the silly lentils!
yes, i have to get everything out of the way, especially anything on the stove!
Thank you…so I’m not making excuses…thank you, thank you… So you can imagine, with work all morning, then lunch with my children, their homework, my school work, dishes, bathtime… That leaves no time or ENERGY to even consider preparing my mediums or canvases… But I dare predict, or maybe I am promising myself, that summer will bring me THE MOMENT, hopefully several moments to get some paint under my fingernails 🙂
Hi, Lisa, Always enjoyed Kenneth Clark and his writing. I must re-visit his book. He did an amazing series on the TV in the UK in the 1970s, influenced a whole generation of children. I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures you produce. Tony
How great! Your last post was amazing! I love the strong colors that transform those x-rays into amazing unique works of art. I remain impressed!
As always, thankyou. I frequently think my colours and patterns are too brash and ache to be able to produce the stunningly beautiful transparent watercolours like Ruth Bailey, or the evanescent misty pictures of Nicholas Herbert – they fill me with envy. But what I’m doing is right for now, perhaps there will be room to do other things in another life. Cheerio, Tony
Isn’t Ruth’s work amazing? She has such a fresh style, and her discipline for recording the process is admirable as well.
Lovely drawing…wonderful quote, too. I’ve let my drawing skills go for too long (and they do suffer from neglect!); I should get back to this discipline, too!
Oh Cindy! That would be great if you sharpen your pencil as well! Please join me – would you like to set a certain day/date for drawing day posts?!
Oh, what a great idea! How sweet of you to include me! Name the day, and I’ll use that as my structure to get back to it…Yes!
Welllll, wanna say each Thursday? That gives us a week to prepare! Maybe we can coax a few more artists or wanna be artists or closet artists to belly up to the bar!
Presto – just like that we’re on a new adventure!
Yay! Thanks, Cindy!
Yay! Okay, Thursday!
An excellent idea, especially for us who are going to enjoy the fruits of your discipline.
This will be fun! Thank you!
“It is often said that Leonardo drew so well because he knew about things; it is truer to say that he knew about things because he drew so well.” (Kenneth Clark)
= which applies to the drawing, also applies to the photography, or to describing by stories
Yes, you are right; any time that we slow down and really look, we truly see!
I can’t draw, but I draw on my photography to learn more about nature.
Your nature photos are so lovely, and yes, you certainly know those details well! z
But sometimes I still wish I could draw. Maybe in another life.
You could draw. In two hours you would be surprised at the results. Perhaps I should pen a post about that really soon!
Z
Yes, Please!
it’s ‘on deck’ as they always said in my barrel-racing days! i waited approval on one of the people that i quoted,and she gave it this morning! after that huge ‘hands’ post, i hate to bog down anyone with another so soon!
z
I think when people drew what they saw they saw much more. I think of Edith Wharton’s extraordinary descriptions of her travels which she describes in such detail because cameras weren’t all that reliable and she trusted her own eyes. We have come to rely on cameras and we don’t look and savor as we should. Your drawings will help us see much more of our world. Many thanks!
We definitely see more when we sketch, and after ten or so minutes of sketching, we can go back and see all of the nuances that we missed. Our eye becomes more honed, like the practiced eye of a skilled hunter!
Love it, Lisa! I wasn’t familiar with that quote, but how fascinating. My question is–is it true that anyone can learn how to draw? I couldn’t complete a representational drawing, if my life depended on it! I’d love to learn, if i thought it was possible. What does it take?
Hugs,
Kathy
ha.. would you believe in two hours? i can teach you how to see in about two hours. the rest is practice and learning to transfer what you see to the paper!
i am always amazed at the first two hours’ progress! it slows down after that! before i start watercolor classes, i always have a first class of drawing.
if one can’t draw well, the painting will be only as good as the map one makes…
Excellent idea! Love it! 🙂
Thanks amiga! Buen viaje!
The only bad part about your blog is the waiting for the next post 🙂 Have a good day
Scott, you are the best! Thank you for those smiles! z
Leonardo – what came first, the chicken or the egg? It is interesting to note that his creativity was not just limited to art. A true Renaissance Man. Thanks for sharing. BTG
Yes, he was a brilliant soul! Thank you! Z
I’m sharpening my pencil with my machete soon! Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa. I’m anxiously awaiting your next post.
you are so kind! thanks for that!
cindy plans to post a pencil drawing each thursday as well, and mary (pastels by mary) is now considering it as well. if you have nothing else to do with your day….. (!) you have almost a week to pull out that machete and find your drawing pencil!
It’s a great practice and brings back the art of focus – I like your idea, it re-energizes. It’s something I should consider doing again, because this “focus” has helped me in the past to think thoroughly about a subject as I moved graphite pencils – it’s lines, shades and light. I like your post and look forward to more of your drawings and creativity.
Cindy (cindyricksgers) plans to join me for a Thursday sketch each week. Feel free to join us any time! We’ll make room at the table! z
I’m very tempted to have a Thursday sketch.
:)) BIG smile this morning, thanks to you!
Drawing, music, a properly prepared bowl of mac and cheese…the things worth living for. Excellent work.
buenos dias! thanks so much! yes, the love for art and for music go hand in hand! i laughed about the mac and cheese, and you are right, there is ‘junk’ mac and cheese and nice creamy well-prepared!
Z…even with my right hand in a cast…you inspire me to sit down at mt drawing table and see what my left hand can do….i’ll post my effort for you to judge and jury…again..thanks for the nudge to…carry on….
oops…that’s MY drawing table…not MT table…as written above. smiling…
Wow! I am impressed! I will post TWO sketches next Thursday in your honor! One will be drawn with my right hand and one with my left. Thank YOU for inspiring me, and for making us realize how lucky we are not to have a hand in a cast!
I think that several others will be posting sketches on Thursday!
It’s my pleasure to nudge you back into your art! Z
wow…and i’m really excited about joining the thursday party…may !?? You do inspire……thanks again.
raye
Yes you may! I’ll have to make a new post and prompt everyone to join us!
YES!!! so smiling…..
Love the quote! I hope that you are doing well, Lisa! As for the sunrise, beyond lovely…or words!
thank you for both! yes, all’s well here. looks like you’ve been getting rain.
I’m glad you’re doing this, and I look forward to the posts. It’s certainly true that you learn a lot as you merge with your subject, especially if you’re drawing it.
Maybe you’ll join us -next Thursday! Thanks!
Excellent drawing! Speaking with some small experience in that area! And a quote about my favorite artist of all time. Yes, a perfect post! Thank you! 🙂
thank you, penny! some others are going to join me each thursday – showing a pencil drawing.. i hope that you’ll join us! z
Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. (sorry) I was hopeful to be invited, but did not want to presume! That’s obviously a yes!!!!!
I fit in neither category: knowing or drawing. The mind is willing but the talent is weak. I’m glad you can draw (and paint and write, and photograph, and and and…) I draw vicariously through you. Lol.
I’m looking forward to this series.
ha ha HA! i am going to try to figure out how to give all of you some drawing lessons!
z
That is a great quote, Lisa, one that pinpoints the nature of most artist (even without the skills and talents of Leonardo). Enjoy the time-out – and I look forward to seeing the result.
otto, do you draw? i have a suspicion that you would/could create highly-detailed and very sensitive drawings.
I liked to draw when I was a kid, but I never developed my skills – unfortunately. I guess one can’t do everything. 🙂
you are right, and your hands (and eyes) are completely full with amazing gifts!
z
Great idea! Looking forward to your posts! I used to draw a great deal when I was younger – but that was a long time ago. My daughter is a real pro…She even drew pictures of all her classmates when she finished school. But she does it in her spare time only.
several more will join me with a post on thursday and share a pencil drawing. it would be great if you joined us!
z
Very much agree. Once you’ve drawn an object it becomes quite intimately yours.
nice comment and very true! the comment came through ok in the pending folder option.. thanks twice!
🙂
I’m going to comment again because I never get notifications when I have to fill on the email etc. form. I’ve drawn/painted Stonehenge several times from my photos and others and now I easily recognize some of the stones as “mine”. The same of course for certain knotholes in trees outside my door.
how great to have drawn stonehenge! i have often considered drawing some of the crop circles, as the designs are pure beauty and surely have meaning. of course you’ll understand why i want to draw them, perhaps the eureka! moment will hit, and they make sense!
Oh I can definitely see you realizing the meanings of crop circles since they are so much like your drawing mazes.
when i first started the mola series, i was torn w/a desire to study – really really study – the crop circles. there’s a new one /recent one in tennessee..
I’ll have to take a look at the new one. The only ones I saw in Britain were already mowed out by the farmers.
I love how your idea of the drawing Thursday is gathering momentum, you are such an inspiration Lisa I’m looking forward to what is created. I love the bamboo sketch.
thank you! coax jack into posting a drawing on thursday.. and maybe you could find something to capture your attention via pencil for your own post?!!!
I will tell him about your Thursday creation post. I’m toying with the idea of sketching again !!!!
Great quote! I love bamboo and yours is a gorgeous rendition. Shall look forward to your timeout drawings 🙂