Mr. femmedem relaxing (charcoal drawing)

[femmedem]

Work's been demanding, but I'm trying to carve out a little time to draw most days. Mr. femmedem was a wonderful model over the weekend. I feel like drawing's starting to feel natural again, like it did when I was in my early twenties.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is just lovely, my dear femmedem!

I love how the light streams in the windows, and over your husband. He is illuminated by it.

There is an emotional warmth to your drawing as well.

Keep drawing! There is a natural feeling to this drawing that is wonderful.

[femmedem]

2. Thank you so much.

[appalachiablue]

3. Wonderful! Pls. keep posting, and drawing

[femmedem]

20. Thanks! Drawing lessens my anxiety; it keeps me in the moment and stops me from thinking about work.

And I'll likely keep posting because you are all so supportive!

[KatyMan]

4. Jeez that's fantastic

How does one even begin to do something like this?

[femmedem]

11. Thank you. I think it's like playing scales until you can play music.

My father was a jazz musician and as a little girl, I was so intimidated; I couldn't figure out how he could make those sounds come from the piano. I didn't realize that long before I was born, he had practiced and practiced to get to that point, and that if my first attempts didn't sound like him, it didn't mean I would never be able to do it.

For me, drawing begins analytically: this angle compared to that angle, this shape is bigger than that shape, this is darker than that, and this vertical is a certain way in from the edge of the paper; just comparing one thing to another, until it starts to coalesce. And then eventually, if I'm lucky, it starts to flow more and it becomes more of a dance between little flashes of inspiration--making a mark without doubting yourself--and stepping back and continuing to analyze.

I think with this one, I started with the angle of the couch arm compared to the couch back, and then figured out where the point of his hat was relative to their intersection, and built it out from there.

[JudyM]

5. Like your self portrait, very expressive.

And great capture of light.

[femmedem]

15. Thanks, that light was what prompted me to grab my drawing supplies.

That and the fact that Mr. femmedem looked comfortable and like he might stay in the same position for a while.

[Ohiogal]

6. Very nice!

You have a good sense of proportion and I like your gauze-y style.

[femmedem]

12. Ha! The gauzey style is probably because I don't see very well.

I wear glasses and my prescription needs to be updated!

[GemDigger]

7. It amazes me how fast you whip them out.

Thanks for sharing and keep them coming.

[femmedem]

21. Thank you and I'm glad you're not tired of them! n/t

[lillypaddle]

8. Nice!

Now keep going ...

[femmedem]

26. Thank you! n/t

[JDC]

9. Again! Excellent line work!

Great drawing, absolutely love it. I really love how loose your sketch is. You are on target, it feels natural from here also. Great work.

[femmedem]

17. Oh, thank you.

Something is clicking for me with the switch to toned paper and charcoal.

[PatrickforO]

10. You have such a nice impressionist style.

For me, the drawing evokes a certain mood - restful, yet ready for life's challenges. He seems someone who has been to the proverbial wars, but has made it back in one piece, older and wiser.

Home is a good place for you and for him, a safe place.

I very much like your work. I'm glad you're posting it.

[femmedem]

16. Oh, thank you. Yes, home is a respite for us. We're lucky.

We're both busy--him especially, often working seven days a week, plus playing in a band and political activism--so down time like we were enjoying is precious.

[MLAA]

13. It's so soft! It's vague and clear at the same time! It's wonderful.

[femmedem]

22. Thank you!

Your sweet comment made me smile.

[democrank]

14. I love this

and feel as though I’m in that room.

Lovely~

[femmedem]

23. Thank you for that compliment.

I'll probably be itching to go out and paint landscapes again in the spring, but there's something very sweet about domestic interiors. I find myself drawn to them in other peoples' art.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

18. Nice work!

I can learn from you on how you have the values. The little glimmer of light off his glasses. Nice touch!

[femmedem]

25. Thanks! I wondered if anyone would know that was light on glasses.

I'm taking drawing lessons, once every two weeks, and we focused on values the past lesson.

[OxQQme]

19. Hard work posing Mr. femmedem?

[femmedem]

24. Ha, no. Luckily for me, Mr. femmedem doesn't get self-conscious when I draw him. n/t

[slumcamper]

27. Very effective--composition elements convey a calmness and serenity.

The viewer's mind is engaged by the lines and shapes, tones, shades, and textures; the objects offer a further transport into the work, inspiring thought and evoking questions. Intriguing.

Disclaimer: having earned a "C" grade in Introduction to Art as an undergrad (I failed to complete my Photography element) does not preclude perceiving and appreciating your talent, femmedem. Very well done!

[femmedem]

38. Thank you so much.

I'm happy with the composition although I hadn't analyzed why. Maybe Mr. femmedem wil be willing to relax on the couch again and let me start a painting of him.

And you must have done very well overall in your Intro to Art class to get a C despite not having completed one element!

[lucca18]

28. I love your style!

It reminds me of Pierre Bonnard.
You are so talented!

[femmedem]

33. I've always loved Bonnard. Thank you! n/t

[Native]

29. I love charcoal drawings...

And I love your work. I grew up in a family of artists, but I didn't inherit anything other than a good eye, at least that's what they've always told me. I really envy your talent. Please keep sharing.

[femmedem]

34. Thank you so much. Charcoal is my favorite, too.

How wonderful to grow up in a family of artists! And I bet that you have talent, just haven't had instruction or time to help it blossom.

[AllaN01Bear]

30. ohm myyyyy! .

eggscllent .

[femmedem]

35. Tank ewe! n/t

[emmaverybo]

31. Lovely.

[femmedem]

36. Thanks. I appreciate that. n/t

[The Roux Comes First]

32. Wow!

I'm impressed, having never encountered any of your previous works. I could no more do this than do sculpture.

Keep 'em coming, please!

[femmedem]

37. Thank you! I just started posting some art on DU.

I went to art school back in the 80s and am just getting back into it.
You never know what you can do; a lot has to do with what you're exposed to and what you're taught. That said, no matter how many times someone explains it to me, I will never understand the internal combustion engine or how to fix one.

[lunatica]

39. Some of my portraits were of my family doing

their thing which allowed them to sit still for a long period of time. I’m glad you have that relaxed feeling that drawing feelings natural.

You’re doing great! I like your work very much!

[femmedem]

40. Thanks. I'll bet your family portraits are beautiful.

Have you posted any? I'll go looking for them if you have.

[lunatica]

42. I did one of my son when he was a teen which I really like

I’ll post it soon. He was doing artwork at the time so I took full advantage of his stillness.

[Karadeniz]

41. Really impressive...as usual...thanks for sharing!❤