Why Drawing is Better than Coffee
Drawing from Life VS Drawing from Imagination
I’m back on the observational drawing this week and I’m trying to remember how it’s done. I notice how differently my mind works in those two modes: drawing from imagination or for a project, and drawing from life.
In the first case there is a mental weight to the moment before drawing: planning, keeping things consistent, keeping track of the bigger narrative. It’s a lot to hold in my brain at once.
The drawing part itself is a mix of states; sometimes it’s a calm flow, sometimes it’s focus, sometimes frustration.
In observational drawing there are a few quick choices to start, once I decided on a subject: the medium, the colours and the composition. Much lighter on the mind.
But then the drawing part is laser focused on the present moment, and that takes a lot of brain power. Every stroke is important, every decision leads to the next one in a fast domino effect sequence.
I know now that anything that connects me to the present moment makes me feel alive in the most refreshing way. That’s where the really juicy part of reality is. The real thing.
Which is why observational drawing is better than coffee. (Easy for me to say, I don’t drink coffee, but I know that feeling of alert aliveness it gives). It wakes me up.
On the subject of life drawing, today is the first day of the 3 materials challenge which will run for 31 days this year. This is how my daily drawing started last year, I did the challenge and then just kept going. So it feels quite special to arrive at the beginning of the challenge again.
By this time next week I will have a bunch of 3 materials drawing already. Looking forward to it!
As always, thanks for reading.
x
