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The finishing touches are complete on the beautiful and historic Brescia University College, which was founded in 1919 by the Ursuline Sisters. Canada’s last all-women’s university was fully integrated into Western University in May 2023.  Yesterday was the last class of the 4 part series. The focus was on linear drawings (not contour, not gestural). Lines. Lines that show simplicity and character, using varied line weights, light/dark, or implied lines. The last drawing of the day was 5 poses at 4 minutes for each pose. Happy with the results.  Linear Drawing - 5 poses 4 minutes each Yesterday was interesting as we did timed drawings, but kept drawing on the same page. The first example is 4 drawings, at 4 minutes each. Just draw one on top of the other. I know they are light but it's pencil on newsprint - so it's kind of faint. The second image was three pencil sketches and 2-micron pen sketches, again timed at 4 minutes each. Again images are hard to see and confusing to draw, but so fun. The result was so interesting! Looking forward to next week. Saturday was the second class of "Line and Gesture: An Expressive Approach to Figure Drawing" taught by Awadh Baryoum, at TAP Centre for Creativity. It's fun. It's refreshing. So glad I signed up for the class. Takes me back to drawing classes in college, which was so long ago! The Overview: "The line is a fundamental element of drawing. While creating line work is often perceived as a simple activity that people engage in throughout their lives—requiring minimal manual or cognitive skill—it is also a profound and expressive undertaking that conveys complex emotional states. In this course, we will investigate line not only as a technique but also as a form of artistic expression. Participants will develop a direct relationship with visual perception and the observation of the human figure in its unrefined state. Our exploration will incorporate both traditional and unconventional artistic materials, emphasizing innovation and creativity. Students will have the freedom to choose their preferred materials and will practice various techniques to cultivate a personal artistic style that reflects their unique interests and personalities." A couple drawings from last session. Each page is 18 x 24 inches, which is much bigger than I normally work. Each page was a 10-minute pose from a live model. Sometimes things just take time… a lot of time! Started January of 2020. Ended Summer of 2024. Four and a half years ago, I responded to a call to artist from LAC about a designing a medal for the Ontario Summer Games to be held in London ON. I had never designed a medal before. I started with taking a walk by the river for some contemplation. Next up, was some research on medal designs through out the years. What did we do before the internet? The reading and observing other designs gives a bit of context and more confidence in what I think I can do and what I want to do. Next up, sketch out some designs in my sketchbook.  Next up, narrow down the ideas and execute a finished drawing. Submit. Wait. One of the hardest parts for me was the write up about my design. I know what I want to say, back getting the right words takes me more time than it should. Because there was a short timeline, it was not much of a wait. They picked my design. That was early February 2020. Then, as we all know, everything shut down, due to the COVID-19. Everything was cancelled. Stay at home. Fast forward four years, it’s now January 2024. The world is basically back to normal. A message comes from LAC, with the news that the Ontario summer games are ago here in London, and my design will be used for the medal.  Sometimes you just need to change things up! I usually create art that is detailed and realistic. I believe drawing skills are critical. And I think it's not until you can draw realistically that you can leap to stylized and abstracted works… in my little brain anyway. So here we go... I started with some very quick sketches (mere minutes) completed on the golf course. Too little time for details. A few pencil lines. Some simple shapes. Maybe a micron pen. Maybe add some tone. Later at home, I had fun creating these colourful, stylized pieces of art. Each is approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. Inspired by a logo I worked on a few months back, where the client wanted an old feel - like a woodcut.  Invite and information for the "in view of the artist" Juried Exhibition at St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre This juried exhibition showcases original two-dimensional works of art that celebrate the artist behind the work, what the artist saw and created, "in their view", real or imagined. This means anything goes. So pleased that these two artworks were juried into to show: "Looking at the Four Story Walkup" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 9 1/4" x 9" c2024 and "The Upper Two Floors" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 13 1/2" x 8 3/4" c2024   The beauty of traditional pen and ink is in the power of simple lines. It's a simple process, using simple tools on a piece of paper. The downside... permanent ink is well, permanent. Sometimes you can correct a mistake, but sometimes it's impossible to correct it! These sketches are drawn from photos, the reasons being:
Spring is coming and so is the #ONEweek100people 2024 challenge!
The 11th annual Square Foot Show At Westland Gallery in London. Grand Opening Reception: Wednesday, December 6th, 3 – 9 pm. Show runs: December 6, 2023 - December 30, 2023. LONDON FREE PRESS | WESTLAND GALLERY 470 works of original works of art by 250 local artists hang in a beautiful mosaic from floor to ceiling. This exhibition is a must-see for new and experienced collectors, artists, and art enthusiasts. My entries: "Dundas Streetscape with Figure" (India ink & watercolour & Gouache, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12” " Figure and Ferns" (India ink & watercolour, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12” |
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©2025 Radford Art. All Rights Reserved.
| An artist who does accounting | An artist who loves to golf | An artist who draws |
©2025 Radford Art. All Rights Reserved.