Three Hundred and Sixty Five days ago I started a project to do a drawing every single day and now I have completed the task. I was not alone – Maggie and Alison (click on Aligeebee to see her drawings) were there every drawing along the way, and it was a daily pleasure to see what they had posted on the site. We are off for a jolly in January to see the Indian Textiles exhibition at the V & A in London – where Maggie and Alison will meet each other for the first time.
I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the people that have followed the blog and have been kind enough to comment and encourage.
Did I really truly do a drawing every day? Well…….confession time, not exactly; I missed one drawing in June – I remembered during the day but then forgot to actually do it and woke up with a jump the next morning ‘Arggh I didn’t do my drawing!’. The second miss was when I had a particularly busy day coming up where I could see no gap for a quiet sit down so I did an extra drawing the day before.
Have there been any benefits from drawing every day? I would say yes, yes and yes!
I am no longer frightened by the blank white sheet of paper. I am happy to show anyone any of my drawings – my ‘artist’ skin has become thicker, OK so it’s not a very good drawing – so what! My skills have improved, I notice when I draw I am looking not at the thing but at the relationships, negative space and shading. I have developed a ‘style’ or ‘handwriting’ to my drawings and mostly they are wonky and I am happy with that. Having a drawing to do each day gave me a anchor point while everything around me seemed on the move.
Another thought – doing just 30 minutes a day means that I have clocked up over 180 hours of drawing and I know I have often taken more than 30 minutes with a drawing. My shortest drawing? Well sitting having coffee at Felixstowe Ferry, I sketched a boat in 30 seconds and the drawing was done.
So what am I going to do next year? I don’t really know right now, I am waiting until drawing 365/365 is done, but I am thinking that my focus should be on composition and I want to start keeping a ‘proper’ sketchbook like real artists do. I am also keen to do something with the amazing trees that are in the park over the road…………..
Here they are then, the last 9 drawings (now don’t get too excited it is just more of the same). Happy New Year!
357 Star Candlestick
358 Hands
359 Supposed to be eggs
360 Rose
361 Lily
362 Lily again
363 Andy Titcombs fishy teapot
364 Orchid Leaves
365 Lillies – last drawing!
Well done Sue – it’s been great to see some of your drawings this past year! Now lots more material through your window and across the gardens!
Wishing you and John all the best for 2016 and hope you have lots of new adventures from your delightful new home!
Love Jane xxx
Sent from Jane Whyman’s iPhone
Thanks Jane and best wishes to you too!
Congratulations Sue, what an amazing journey you have been on. These last drawings really showcase how much you have grown and learnt as an artist. They are all assured and really good. Looking forward to see what you do this year. Karen
Hi Karen, Happy New Year. Thank you so much for your kind and constructive comments over the past year, it has been great having comments coming in each week. Best wishes Sue
Congratulations Sue! I have enjoyed travelling with you so much! I hope 2016 is a good year for you and your family.
All the best, Clare x
Hi Clare, I am glad you have enjoyed following my wonky drawings this past year, and your regular and faithful likes on FaceBook. Best wishes and a Happy New Year to you and yours. Sue
Thank-you Sue!
Congratulations! I’m really impressed how you both stuck with it as lesser mortals fell by the wayside. I think an exhibition is due! I’d find it much easier to look at than going on line to find the pictures. That defeated me, so I’ve only seen Alisons pictures whenever she’s brought them along to felting.
Good luck with the next project.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, well we have done well haven’t we?! It has been great having Alison and Maggie along for the ride. No exhibition – way too much work, but I am printing out my drawings into a little book to record and keep track of them. Happy New Year.
Congratulations, Sue! It’s a great feeling and I agree with your thoughts about the impact of daily drawing on your overall approach. As someone who doesn’t very often get to do art as part of my job it was all too easy for me to not do art at all and now as I draw daily it is so much more present in my life.
Hello Jean, I’m trailing in your wake…..I can’t believe how consisted you have been, it’s already 4th Jan and I have not picked up a pencil yet, I am falling off the wagon big time! Still, I need a rest, it has been a really big thing and I am just letting go a bit before I refocus. Waiting to see what Maggie and Alison are thinking about (I notice Maggie is still posting a daily drawing) and then I will knuckle down, I need to hack out a daily time slot for ‘artistic’ activity and ring fence it otherwise I will continue to fritter away my time. Happy New Year and Happy Drawing. Sue
I notice in the comments that you’re going to the exhibition at the V and A – I really wish I hadn’t missed that! I should have been more organised.
Oh sadhu, Sue! I admire your tenacity and your self-discipline. Your drawing has come on leaps and bounds – the lilies and the rose above are particularly lovely. May you progress in all ways!
Thank you so much, for your friendship, your support and your encouragement. I’m looking forward to seeing your blog now……
Congratulations Sue on your huge achievement. I really admire how you have stuck with it through thick and thin and particularly how you found time when moving house. Good luck with whatever you decide to do next but do keep us posted. Happy New Year to you!
Thank you Chris, I must say it’s nice to stop! But I am beginning to miss the practice. Happy New Year.
Congratulations! I had planned a sketch-a-day for 2016 but I have already come a cropper. It should be the easiest thing but it isn’t!