Wild hearted ones,
What a sweet creature we are honouring!
Day one was mostly about finding the form, the way this wild being exists in three dimensional space, and trying to represent that on an essentially two dimensional page.
It takes time, and practise, but it also takes courage, and curiosity, and compassion. You have to be willing to let go, and allow your eyes and your body to work together without your brain butting in. You have to embody your subject a little, think about how that movement might feel if you were indeed Hare. There is freedom, and a bodily beauty, and reciprocity in that act - genuine willingness to connect. The more you see, the more you will see, if you remain open and curious (and excited about all the wonder that comes with it all).
This drawing, though it will be the largest on this two page spread, is probably the least detailed.
There are not a lot of shifts in dark and light, and so this session is more about rendering the slight adjustments in value that give our brain the understanding of what part of their anatomy is in light, and what is in shade, and where they naturally have a darker or more saturated marking on their coat. Always thinking about the rounded nature of the anatomy, curving pencil strokes, or overlapping straight ones to give the impression of roundedness. Keeping my hand way back on the pencil unless I want further control for detail. And always working lightly, taking care of the health of my hand (no hard pressure which puts strain on hand, wrist, neck and back).
Lots of slow, calming breathing, shoulders down, heart wide open.
I actually finished this one off in this session. Sketches don’t have to take a long time, they are, afterall, sketches. The next one I embark on may be smaller, but take much longer - each sketch is it’s own, it takes the time it takes. I value and embrace that, and in surrendering to the understanding that things just take time, I relax into freedom and grounding.
If you missed the first session you can find it here, along with the reference we are using.
And I would love to see your Hares - please share them in the community, or email me directly, if it feels good for you to share with us!
If you would like to continue your sketchbook journey, and receive a calming, encouraging, and empowering lesson each week (as well as a new reference), then Drawn to Wild is for you. A year long adventure - 52 wild beings, 52 opportunities to embody and celebrate the wild, and a calm and gentle journey through this year.
This process is not just about creating art; it's about becoming a part of the grand artwork of nature's masterpiece. Keep embracing your creative journey, you wild artist, and unfurl with each stroke of pigment. You're doing marvellously!
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