Timeout for Art: Drawing

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Art Quotes, Drawing Quotes, Timeout for Art: Drawing

Pencil Session – John, Lisa and Mary

“Learning to draw, before you paint, is like learning to walk before you run.” (Don Getz)

This week John and Mary McDonald and I met in Canoa Ecuador for some R&R. We pulled out paper and pencils and practiced shading and contour drawing before attempting to capture the essence of trees. John and I were soon lost in our drawings while Mary grew bored (?) and confessed that she preferred painting.

John and Mary

We purchased a sheet of thick “Kraft” paper and retreated to a beach-side restaurant to create a new design that is part iguana and part gecko. Mary quickly weaned into ‘design mode’ and enjoyed adding details.

Iguana/gecko

Soon we will be sipping our morning coffee and bringing the design to life with paint! Because we took a timeout to map the details, the painting process will go well!

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Art Projects, Iguana painted on a wall, jama ecuador, Luchy Cevallos Sabando, Palo Santo Cafe, Timeout for Art: Drawing

“Good drawing forms the ‘bones’ on which a strong painting hangs.” (Chris Bingle)

Jama Ecuador – Last week I sketched this cow skull then did a test to see how it would look with zebra stripes. What do you think? Would it make a fun painting, or should I consider this an exercise and move on to another subject – like bright colorful coffee cherries?

Palo Santo Cybercafe

Today I spent time at Palo Santo Cybercafe, which is more cafe than an internet service. Opening around 7:30 most evenings, Palo Santo has a brisk business and an easy vibe.

Luchy whips up many fruit drinks as well as cafe specialties!

Luchy and I had discussed doing a joint painting project in his “VIP” room, and today we began that task.

Luchy’s drawing and painting skills are excellent, so I was amused that he chose to watch instead of paint! He wanted a backdrop for photo moments, and since the word “Jama” means “iguana,” he visualized a large iguana draped across a limb a little higher than shoulder level. We discussed several ideas, and then he watched as I mixed paints and began to ‘draw’ with the paint.

“Aren’t you going to use a pencil first?” he asked cautiously.

“No,” I smiled, “it’s not necessary… there’s no need for pencil…” Continue reading →