Recently I was inspired to start drawing on a regular basis… I think we all have visions and dreams of things we want to do more frequently. Whether it’s for personal growth, physical fitness or just relaxation, a good habit of being motivated, disciplined and focused can reap wonderful fulfilling rewards.
One of these rewards is finding peace, art has always been therapeutic for me, a place to unwind, talk to God, and reflect on life. I found this to be very true while completing my last drawing, quite a larger drawing, 40 x 43 cm, taking 3 days to complete giving me lots of quiet space.
Sitting in front of a flat piece of white paper with the intention of turning it into an artwork can be rather daunting. It is the formidable undertaking of many artists… yet, like diving into a cold pool before lap swimming, taking the pencil in hand knowing the rhythm soon unfolds nudges me forwards. It’s rather profound and a paradox of sorts. That great peace can come from pushing through an awkward beginning. I am sure it’s also a reflection of one’s determination to fulfill the intents of their hearts desire, which for me, is to create art and meditate on life.
Creating this drawing involved many small pencil lines that are called “hatching.” If you look closely you can see in the skin tones, many small repetitive lines going in the same direction. This is a wonderful way of building tonal value and form. Cross hatching is then placing the same lines in the other direction over the top of the previous lines. Drawing in this manner creates depth and makes it easy to manage the tonal values. A successful drawing has good tonal value, to go darker, just add more hatching, working small in some areas like her nose and mouth. I used an Orenz 0.2 mechanical pencil for this. I find it to be such a delicate yet strong pencil for cross hatching and working on tonal value. For the darks in her hair I used a 6b Staedtler pencil. It has a larger and softer lead than the 0.2 mechanical.
If you have any questions regarding this process or need any help with your art always feel free to leave a comment 🙏
Pondering on my drawing as I hatch and cross hatch, my mind imagines the thoughts of this woman. How many times do you allow your mind to enter your artwork, are you one to dwell in the land of creative endeavours? I find all my paintings have some heartfelt connections and when I look upon them years after, my mind will often be drawn to those ponderings.
This woman took me back to when I was a single mum and my quiet time was very rare. When life seems so exhausting and you know your little ones depend on you being strong and there for them, when most of the time you feel vulnerable and weak… I see her deep sighs as she reclines on the back street wall. Hence my thoughts as I continue to draw, and my meditation on that still quiet place that brings me peace.
“Quiet”
Be still my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly Friend,
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
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