the more you draw, the more you see

12x 12 pencil on canson
 The land in this view  I would consider complex. So many layers of trees and rocks wind in and out from the water. My goal was to use a few lines as possible and limit any shading...thus making the space with line. I drew for about 3 hours. Beginning with a very light 2H and straight lines, gradually carving away at the land with selected lines and erasing. At the end I worked my way up to a 2B. It is amazing how drawing can be such a sensitive thing. Spending time drawing my chosen view really made me understand how the land is formed. The more you draw, the more you see. Now I will transfer the drawing to my panel and begin the grisaille.

studies of a new painting:back to watercolor underpaintings

9x12 watercolor and pastel on Wallis
12x12 pencil on somerset velvet/ eggshell

I am planning a bigger painting that was inspired by my painting from April 7th . My intention today was to simply study the reflections and how best to make space. Yesterday I did this very detailed study (below), simply as a discipline, another way of knowing my place.
I am back to watercolor under my pastel, something I did for about 5 years and moved away from these last few months. I want to continue using watercolor underneath....but still the quest for new paper goes on. When I painted this one on an old piece of Wallis, the paper resisted some of the watercolor, but at least I could push the pastel into the sanded surface.  I use bristle brushes, the same type  I use when painting with oils (but not the same brushes.) Sanded papers really beat up your brushes!

early evening at the swamp and my passion for drawing revived

When drawing with long straight lines you start by estimating the longest tilts. Sadie calls it "building an envelope." Remember to spend at least 75% of the time just looking. Put your hand down between strokes. Figure out the major decisions first. gradually, as you whittle down the form, a contour begins to appear. Remember strength and integrity comes from the drawing. Color can not support poor drawing.
I have always done thumbnails. Now I will add a contour drawing to my repertoire. Sadie said that 25% of your painting time should be spent drawing. Integrity in your lines and form, that's the key. You need to look, look,  and look more. Why is it doing what it is doing?
This drawing was made on tracing paper with an H pencil. The tracing paper was taped to BFK. It is in it's "almost done" state. A little more refinement is necessary. In it you can see the straight line block in on the right. Some of the lines have disappeared and become more refined on the left. I will try a small landscape using my studies and this drawing. (sorry for the bad photo, it's difficult to photograph tracing paper.)

One last Florida painting. This one was done in the early evening and the drawing was done that same session. I will miss that swamp pool.