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
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
Free UK shipping
Certificate of Sale
Courier delivery or hand delivery for local orders
Ready to frame
Important info:
Please allow 2 weeks for preparation before shipping
Artwork will be transported rolled in a tube for safe and secure shipping. Upon receipt, you can roll the artwork gently in the opposite direction to counteract any curl from the shipping process.
No returns accepted on this item
Framing available on request
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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