but let me tell you...

I've been scrambling to pull together some last pieces for my portfolio, in hopes of waiving some classes, and so i decided to finish this sketch i started in San Francisco...it's of the fountain in the lovely little park across from Grace Cathedral, and i spent alot of time there, so i thought i might as well up my quotient of observational drawing...i did the majority of it on site, and finished the shading once i got home from a photo i took...

i always forget, despite how tedious it can be, how basic observational drawing can be...i mean, it can get more difficult as you throw in elements of foreshortening and perspective, but whatever you're trying to draw is right in front of you, whereas with freehand drawing from the mind, you have nothing to rely on other than your idea and your base set of skills...they do go hand in hand very nicely though...i was terrible and started drawing by aiming more towards style, without realizing that it's necessary to learn the basics before you can abstract from them...that being said, it's also incredibly difficult to break from the reliance of photographs and reference and trust yourself to know how to make things look like they're supposed to...
i have a few more pieces to finish up, if i like them enough i'll post them...till then...

"But let me tell you I never planned to let go of the hand that has been clinging by its thick country skin to my yellow country teeth..." -The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth, Clap You Hands Say Yeah