Thursday, May 10, 2012

Habit Forming


Sketches from 'Random Pose'  5x7 graphite by Meera Rao

This past week, I started to sketch atleast 30 secs early in the morning as I sipped my coffee instead of reading the paper or checking the e-mail. I want to be disciplined enough to sketch every morning - so I signed up at http://tinyhabits.com/ to participate in 3Tiny Habits. Dr. BJ Fogg from Stanford has created 'a way to tap the power of context and baby steps.'

I started the tiny habit last friday (even though official start date was to be on Monday this week.) So far I have enjoyed sketching everyday. I keep sketching for a little longer or go back and finish them later in the day but I really like the 30 second option :) Rather than try to think of what to sketch, I have been selecting poses from an App "Random Pose" in my phone.  I downloaded the app from the iTunes store more than a year or two ago but was apprehensive until now about using it. 

While it is not anywhere  close to drawing from life, I am getting practice in drawing the human figure on my own terms. The poses show major muscle groups and I am learning with every sketch.  So far I have not pushed to finish a figure in 30 secs but at the website http://www.posemaniacs.com/thirtysecond a timer can be started to practice gesture drawing.  May be in a few days :) -- right now I am getting familiar with the body shapes, proportions etc.. I hope to add colors and washes sometime soon. Do you have any practices to help you be disciplined about your daily sketching or painting?  

I have added a page to my blog for my Sketch Book project "A Day in the Life."  Now you can see the book from cover to cover in the right order! Please do check it out  and leave me your feed back :)

16 comments:

Crystal Cook said...

I need to find that app! These are fantastic Meera. Full of life, even if they weren't painted from life.

Meera Rao said...

Thank you crystal! -- hope you find the app and have fun with it too :)

Kathy Staicer said...

You are so good about sketching and they keep getting better and better. (I remember you taking the time to sketch even before you did your sketch book project. And it is great on a page.
Well I guess I ought to get to do some sketching!

Meera Rao said...

Kathy, Thank you :) sketchbook is a practice as well as an excuse to not do/paint more or finished pieces :(

padmaja said...

Meera, you set me thinking today! I am in total awe of your wonderful sketch book, each page beautifully done..I think practices like this one make us disciplined and bring out the constructive moments of the day.

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Padmaja! I surprised even myself with my sketch book project :) I am now a believer in keeping a sketch book regularly !!!!

Jane said...

Excellent sketches, I admire your discipline :-)

Fernando Santos (Chana) said...

Excelentes esboços...Espectacular....
Cumprimentos

Meera Rao said...

Jane, Thanks! I always have starting trouble --but once I begin I do try to finish and this 30 sec method has worked for ten days --now the trick is to stick to it :)

Meera Rao said...

Obrigado! você é generoso :) Eu agradeço muito!

Lisa Graham said...

Good for you about disciplining yourself with drawing every day. I don't have any particular disciplines, but I need them.

I did not see your sketchbook you mentioned. ??

Your sketches here are really really good. The muscles were the thing I noticed right away.

Meera Rao said...

Thank you very much , Lisa! I have to really push hard to stick to doing it daily :>(

the sketchbook is under "A Day in the Life" right next to Home and Gallery 1 right under the fish painting on my blog heading. Hope you get to see it and leave a comment :)

Anonymous said...

Interesting artwork

thanks for sharing

Meera Rao said...

Krishna, Thank you very much!

Sadami said...

Hi, Meera,
Wonderful!! The lively sketches. I admire your guts and challenge spirist. Go on. Sure, you'll bloom out.
Best wishes,Sadami

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Sadami! I am enjoying the sketching of the human body- not ready yet to sketch from life though, need a lot more practice!

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