Any of you paint, draw, sketch, etc.?

[IcedNote]

I've always been fascinated by art, but I've never been good at it. You know the type--struggled with stick figures as a child. Hell, I don't even doodle in notebooks and such.

But about a month ago I decided to peek into an art supply store...and walked out with a charcoal set and paper.

So, you'd think I'd start with something easy, right? Guess again! I prefer to learn how to swim in the deep end.

So here are my first two drawings since childhood, each based on a favorite work of mine.



Arnold Bocklin - Isle of the Dead





Philippe de Champaigne - Still Life with a Skull




Not looking for critiques/compliments here, but I think they're a good first go!

Anyone else do such things? I find it incredibly rewarding/satisfying, and it's a shame I started so late. It's also been teaching me a lot about composition. Amusing how things work out.

-G

[John F]

Those aren't just good, they're impressively good. The first is from Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead," but I don't recognize the other one. (Hey, have you been feeling morbid lately? ) I've no talent at all for drawing, so I appreciate what you're doing.

[karlhenning]

Nicely done, Garrett!

Cheers,
~Karl

[smitty1931]

Get yourself some pastels or oil sticks(craypas), working in color is more rewarding. Set up a simple stlll life- a wine bottle, dish of fruit and a figurine and see what you can do. As a former Art teacher (I had a number of students become professionals) I hope you will find art a rewarding hobby.

[IcedNote]

Well thanks, John and Karl! The second one is a still life by Philippe de Champaigne.

Here's the one I started last night. A bit lighter in mood.


Arcimboldo - The Fire



-G

[IcedNote]

Get yourself some pastels or oil sticks(craypas), working in color is more rewarding. Set up a simple stlll life- a wine bottle, dish of fruit and a figurine and see what you can do. As a former Art teacher (I had a number of students become professionals) I hope you will find art a rewarding hobby.

I'm sure I'll move on to color eventually, but right now I'm enjoying the "simplicity" of charcoal.

Are your works online anywhere?

-G

[jbuck919]

I've always been fascinated by art, but I've never been good at it. You know the type--struggled with stick figures as a child.

Well, I'm that "type" too, and stick figures are still about all I can manage. (As a geometry teacher, after years of practice, I can freehand draw a lot of basic shapes, but not much else.) Congratulations on risking the venture and on your early success.

[smitty1931]

I was lucky enought to study with Leon Berkowitz who went on to be the Director of the Corcoran Art Gallery in D.C. At American University I studied with Sarah Baker who had studied with Renoir. My best friend in college joined the Washington School of painters and is listed in many Art books (Howard Mehring). I have visited every major Art Gallery in Europe. There is some truth to the saying, "those that can do and those who can't teach". In my case it is probably true. Mores the pity!