Lesson number 2 in the short drawing course focuses on negative spaces.
We have to learn to see negative spaces and the exercises you will engage with will enable you to switch your thinking. Gradually, you will start to see all the negative spaces and forma around you and the world will, once again appear different. You are beginning to see with the Creative Eye.
One of the masters of Negative Space was an architect who was instrumental in designing the modern world we now live in. Le Corbusier discovered new ways to use space and shadow to give buildings, interiors and furniture new dimensions. Many of these images will seem very normal to you, but he was shaping a new aesthetic that would shake the world out of the ornamented designs of the 18th and 19th century.
See what you think of these and then have a look at the way space has been used in your own home, office block , local shopping centre or school.
The act of drawing puts you in the present; only in the here and now. It is a jealous companion that will not allow you to think about what happened yesterday or what you might do tomorrow.
It will not permit halfheartedness. Whether you are a doodler or Dali, everyone who attempts drawing does it seriously and with good intention. Children sometimes go deaf when they draw such is their concentration.
Children like to share their drawing activities with others but eventually they become competitive and some give up because of that.
The way we draw is like the way we write, the way we cook, the way we dance, the way we make love, the way we are with our family, with our friends.
If you are passionate, so let your drawing be. If you are serious or humourous so let your marks show that too.
If you are tentative, shy, conservative, detailed, gauche, child-like, nerdy, geeky, outrageous, laddish, intuitive, precise or wild; these things will show also.
for all these reasons, the greatest struggle with drawing can be the one with ourselves. Sometimes we see things in our drawings, about ourselves, that we hadn't recognised before. The other struggle is with quality; we are our own worst critics and we are never satisfied with the work we do. Accept that and move on to the next drawing.
Like dance and music, drawing is the language of the soul. If we were able to put everything into words, there would be no need for music, dance, theatre or art.
When I draw from life my work sings a song to the viewer. When I draw only from photos I have taken the work is accurate, faithful and recognisable but unless the photograph itself was exceptional, the work is heartless.
Go out there and draw it or stay home and draw what is around you. What seems so ordinary to you will speak volumes to your friends, your family and to your children. It will speak back to you too.
Drawing is honest but only you can see the truth in it. Others may flatter you; some may be unkind but their opinions are usually worthless beside your own.
When my drawings truly move another I am very, very happy - it makes it all worthwhile. It is as if they have looked into the window of my soul and understood something of me.
True criticism, from a someone you trust, is like nectar. It is food to your eye and fuel to your passion. Take it and honour it because it will pay you back ten-fold
