Another Short week.

Well, last week was yet another short week in Life Drawing 1.  Class was canceled on Tuesday, therefore we only had class on Thursday.  In class went over some examples of the use of ink in shell drawings.  We also got a chance to try our hand at using the sumi brush; not my favorite.  I think I worry too much about controlling the ink rather than embracing the slight element of chance that comes from working with ink.  I think if I step back and embrace this lack of control my drawings will benefit.  We also went over the lower leg muscles on our mannekins.

The Foot

This week we had only one day of class due to mid-program review.  I embraced the day off to catch up on a few things that have been killing my soul this semester.  The day that we did have of class we focused primarily on the foot.  We listened to a lecture on the musculature and bone structure of the foot and did a long drawing of the feet. 

I'm continually struggling with my line quality and my tendency to press too hard, but making a conscious effort to avoid it has been helping.  We also went over our shell drawings in small groups.  My group thought that my second drawing was an improvement on my first shell drawing.  I had to leave my drawing on the wall as our instructor was unable to get through the entire class to give comments.  Therefore, I do not have a photograph of my second shell.  The semester is getting down to the final few weeks and I'm already feeling that customary rush at the end when everything piles on.  My mental health and sanity pay the price.

 This week in Life Drawing we had our Mid-term portfolios due.  It was interesting to me to go back through my drawing pad and see that my ability to draw in this style is improving.  I still feel like I'm not really grasping it, though, and it's starting to frustrate me. 
We learned this week how to draw the attachments of the knee and hip. Every time we learn a new attachment I feel that my drawings improve slightly.  I am eager to learn the attachment of the shoulder as this is one attachment that consistently gives me grief.  As can be seen in my long drawing below, I have a tendency to make the shoulders too narrow. 
I have started my next shell drawing and it is moving along fairly well, I'm finding it a little bit easier to find the proper placement of the cross-contour lines.  It's definitely easier the second time around.