Drawing Workshop

workshop 1
Some fruit, avocado, pear
etc and a candlestick

This is the second drawing workshop I have attended with this tutor Gillian Cussen. Her enthusiasm was infectious and created an atmosphere with strong sense of motivation. We did many rapid sketches of plants and flowers, plus a few ordinary everyday objects. The emphasis initially  was to do huge areas of mark making with various materials - ink, charcoal, pencil using toothbrushes, sponges, fingers etc. - rather similar to the mark-making exercises
on a large format in Part 1.Then, with more directed guidance, rapid drawings of objects while trying to feel the gesture within them, in an attempt to feel the object's dynamic presence. The purpose was to really see what is there and ways of interpreting what you see, definitely not about producing a pretty picture. I think I got more out of doing these than most other workshops I have attended - either drawing or painting and I intend to return again for more of these and similar workshops in the future with this tutor if I feel in need of them. 

workshop 2
Plant and poultry

workshop 1
Driftwood, corkscrew and apple

Above and right comprise of mostly rapid sketches of a selection of subjects, including poultry, in charcoal and pencil, from both workshops 1 and 2. The plant detail (above left) was of the longest duration. Although most of them may look like virtual scribbles, I got a great sense of achievement and possibilities out of it.
http://gilliancussenartist.com/
Taking a quick peep at the artists website it is so apparent how  very free and expressive her own work is - something I aspire to and will have to keep working on....