Part 2: Project 4:Exercise 1

Quick sketches around the house

I call ma boudoir ”my bedsit”. I have a one bedroom flat, but my living room is my studio so, in theory, all art paraphernalia lives in my studio. In practice of course it spills over if unchecked. A friendly elf comes and periodically stems the tide.

The image with the wardrobe is a bit dull as it’s the most uncluttered therefore largely featureless. I confess I was going for a feel for the room rather than verisimilitude (a word added to my vocabulary care of the friendly elf). I enjoyed the picture with the window as there is lots to draw as well as a glimpse out through the window at neighbouring buildings. Clutter, such as piles of books, are relatively easy to draw, whereas my pencil case – a floppy bag open at one end – was more of a challenge. I feel this item requires explanation. The drawing of it is insufficient as a descriptive exercise. But the general mood of the image is one of cosy familiarity. I’m hoping that I am not alone in having piles of half-read books within easy reach cheek-by-jowl with the remnants of this afternoon’s lunch congealing in a bowl.

I chose to use biro directly into my sketchbook as I knew I would be less inclined to be fussy over detail for these sketches. Given the choice out of the images so far I would go for the one with the window view as being least claustrophobic and having the most interest. Although not shown, there is good colour contrast with red ochre curtains against a blue wall.

I feel that as aid memoirs these sketches will suffice, but that further drawing practice on the hoof, so to speak, is required in order to improve my communication of sufficient detail to adequately describe the objects at speed. Of course, for the next exercise I shall allow much more time for this. These sketches took no more than 5 minutes apiece.

I spend a lot if time in this room. It is my favourite place to be. I look forward to expressing this feeling of warmth and familiarity in the next completed piece.