Week 14 - Part 1 - Abstract drawing
Two expressive drawings? It’s like they know me…
Do you like abstracts Lauren?
I hope you do because I made a couple of abstract charcoal pieces this week and I love them!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…
Always use violence when it comes to charcoal.
Every time we get an assignment that requires charcoal I get excited - I don’t know what it is about the oxygen-starved, scorched wood that brings me so much joy.
Perhaps it’s the tactile intrigue, the fact that I can make a mess and feel like a child again.
I can be loose and expressive and usually, the messier I am, the better the outcome.
The first task of the week was to create an abstract landscape.
(Give the illusion of a landscape without specifically drawing a landscape)
There were no rules, except be expressive and have fun with it.
Through a combination of some marks, random squiggles and an eraser, I built some depth and nice textures in the drawing, playing with negative space and line.
I then combined some water-soluble graphite to get some really dark marks and drips and splats in the piece.
I had been on a walk by a river the day before where I passed some long reeds and marshland, so I had this in the back of my mind while attacking the paper.
Interesting juxtaposition really - I felt so tranquil on the walk, yet managed to put so much energy into making the drawing.
I love the variation of mark-making that I managed to keep, and the reflection in the water - each close up is like it’s own mini abstract.
Even writing about this piece makes me want to make some more again! Very satisfying using charcoal like this 😁
The next abstract drawing was to pull an image out of an abstract.
I kind of just went at it.
Made a bunch of marks, and then stepped back to see what I could see in the shapes.
What can you see?
Immediately, I saw two bees.
There’s an artist that I have been drawn to for years and her name is April Coppini.
Her expressive bee drawings have always had a place in my heart so I thought this was the best time to emulate what I loved.
With compressed charcoal and some more watersoluble graphite, I built in the framework for these beautiful little creatures, and even added some subtle honeycomb shapes because… why not.
My gut said so 😆
I turned my abstract into two little bees and I love them 🖤
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”
Maybe that’s why I love the honey bee ✨
Every week, my skillset is growing little by little, and the frequency of artwork that I create that I’m actually happy with, is more often than not 😁
I’d love to know what your favourite pieces have been so far, Lauren.
Reply to this email and let me know 🥰
‘Winged Whispers’, 2023
16x23 / A2 size - charcoal drawing on fine grain paper
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16x23 inches / A2 size - original charcoal drawing on fine grain paper
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together…
One of a kind original artwork
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Please allow 2 weeks for preparation before shipping
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Stay tuned for next week! My final assignment for the oil and drawing section of the Mastery Program - where I challenge myself to paint for 9 hours straight!
Both original pieces are available. And in print form too 👇🧡
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