Thursday, May 17, 2012

To Erase Or Not To Erase?


Randompose pen by Meera Rao

I have been sketching these poses from the App Random Pose  for a few days now spending a couple of hours or more working on one pose each day.  It feels good to flip my sketchbook and see a collection of these.  But just as I was getting confident about the end results of each day, my ego got a reality check -- I was erasing so hard couple of days ago that the paper tore! I remember reading in Bert Dodson's book 'Fail and exploit the failure.'  So yesterday  I made myself sketch with pen only being more mindful of each line I put down.  I have to say it didn't take hours to complete the pose! 


Random Pose Graphite by Meera Rao




Random Pose  Graphite by Meera Rao


Bert Dodson in his book Keys to Drawing with Imagination writes: " I'm a strong believer in a quality I call 'wobble,' the less-than-perfect execution of things crafted by hand"   So I am setting aside my hesitations about using the eraser. Why unnecessarily make things harder on myself. As it is the human figure is complicated enough. I will concern myself with observation and practice and more practice alternating pen and pencil in my daily sketching and build my skills and confidence.

4 comments:

irinapictures said...

I agree with every single word! Practice makes miracles, failures are the true steps to success and confidence.

Meera Rao said...

Thank you Irina! Even though its hard to follow I hope to do my best :)

JANE MINTER said...

meera your dwgs are looking very good ...using a pen takes the temptation away to reach for the eraser ...brilliant exercises keep with it .

Meera Rao said...

Jane, Thanks :) These exercises are giving me new confidence --even if I am erasing like crazy some day !!!! I am still figuring out how to get the whole figure within the page at first attempt :)

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