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Monday, August 9, 2010

How to Make Quick Watercolour Sketch PART1

Thank you for many positive comments on my quickies. So, this week, I'll whisper you about my tips.
(Uni lecturer at a seminar, A4. )
Before our chat, who is this young man? I'll tell you later.
A young man met Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, whom he revered, and whose advice he never forgot;
"Draw lines, young man, and still more lines, both from life and from memory, and you will become a good artist."

Here, Sadami's Tips for Quickies of Moving People, Basic Drawing Skills.

1) Catch pattern of movement.

Not
so hard to draw people moving around. Why?

Often we repeat movements. Take examples of sports, walk, run, dance etc that have a pattern of movement. So, have a close look of moving people. Pick up a most favorite moment = most impressive movement = make a drama.
2) Rely on your eyes.
I've hardly used photos for references. (*I might be wrong,) in my view, there's always a gap between a real movement and a photo. Or, I should say, our eyes often feel more comfortable with a moment captured by human eyes, rather than mechanically meticulous movements caught by a camera. Crutches will never be our real own legs, even though photo use is helpful after learning croquies.

3) Trust in your eyes and be brave.

Often people tell me no idea how to draw or stick figure only. But we, all, know and can do tell which drawing is correct or not. It means all of us have good eyes and the potential to master drawings! No erasure. Simplified, few, but confident lines are preferable. So, a stick figure is wonderful. All what it needs is muscles!(=Knowing anatomy is useful.)

4) It's never right until it's right.
If I do not feel comfortable with a drawing, something is against the eyes' sending information.
Keep patience and try it again and again until you feel happy with a drawing....it could take...years(I did!). Many masters made same or similar drawings tens of thousands times. Trained eyes tell hands to follow visual information. Trained hands respond well.

But have fun and never be tough on yourself.
Please love your work. Celebrate small achievements. Step by step, one goes far.

Now, the answer.
The young man in the quotation was Edgar Degas. His work on ballet is well known, which beautifully catches movements and moments.

We say, "He who listens most speaks best."
I say, "She who watches most draws best."

This is an old cliche, but true : everyone begins with copying someone else. And find her own methods and original style.



And one more, a very important thing.
We do not need to make a masterpiece every time. Let's make messes "all the time." Yeah~~~!

Next Monday, I will tell you more about my way, how to do watercolor and process.
Friends, happy painting!! Thanks for your interest and support.

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16 comments:

  1. Thank you Sadami. I love your tips, painting, and enthusiasm. You really cheered me up today. I had my weekend spoiled by headache (yes it happens quiet often; all of that hormones are jumping up and down).. So anyway, I couldn’t do what I planned to do because of that. I was reading your post this Sunday morning (thank got to the pill that allows to function almost normal) and it brought me back to life.. I stopped feeling pity for myself and got inspired.. I’ve learned from just one of your post about Ingres; about children books, about your story ( I couldn’t stop and I clicked on your February posts).. You are incredible woman! Stay that way, please. Today you lit up one more soul, mine : )… Oh, that headache pills make me so sensitive.. better get back to my paintings ;)

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  2. Wonderful post, Sadami. So much information in such a fun and expressive way. Love your quickies.......... Enjoy your evening.

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  3. Dear Irina,
    Thank you soooo much! Your comment encourages me. You, too, are the incredible woman! I know immigration and fit-into a different language is a very difficult task. But you made it.(I studied at uni with students from Russia.) Regarding women's sensitive health issue, we know it is very uncomfortable. Please take care and get well soon.
    Kind regards,
    Sadami

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  4. Hi Sadami
    Thank you for your comment on my blog.I am glad I could find your blog.I love your works.In fact, it's really so hard to draw moving people for me.I think I should try my best to practice the basic skill.^___^

    kate lin

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  5. Dear Carol,
    Thank you very much!! I love your blog that is full of joy for drawing and painting. I always encourage shy adults who want to do drawing, "Please remember your young days, when you were a child. You never thought of anything, but had fun. Now, let's have fun and joy again like an innocent kids! Just fun!" My say lights up anyone's face, who has an inner child.
    Cheers, wink, wink,
    Sadami

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  6. Dear Kate,
    Thank you so much for a visit and kind comment. Your work is very attractive and suit for children picture books, isn't it? You've already captured moving people in work. In my eyes, very nice and lovely!!
    Kind regards,
    Sadami

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  7. Hola Sadami, muchas gracias por compartir tu experiencia y método de trabajo, me anima mucho a trabajar este tipo de bocetos, que hasta ahora no me atreví a tocar, pero como dices es questión de trabajo, y perseverancia, lo pondré en práctica, admiro como representas la figura humana, eres un buen modelo a seguir, muchas gracias.

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  8. Dear Frances,
    I'm learning lots from your landscapes and self-taught skills. I admire your beautiful work. We can help each other. I think having fun & joy is very important, like a little child.(otherwise, who wants to try it?) Look forward to next Monday. I'll upload my tips for watercolor quickies of people. Thank you for your kind say.
    Kind regards, Sadami
    Estimado Frances,
    Estoy aprendiendo mucho de sus paisajes y autodidacta habilidades. Admiro su hermoso trabajo. Podemos ayudarnos unos a otros. Creo que la diversión y la alegría es muy importante, como un niño pequeño. (De lo contrario, que quiere probar?) Prepárese para el próximo lunes. Voy a subir mis consejos para quickies acuarela de personas. Gracias por sus amables decir.
    Un cordial saludo, Sadami

    >>>>Frances said...
    Sadami Hello, thank you very much for sharing your experience and working method, I am very encouraged to work these sketches, which until now I did not dare to play, but as you say is broached, work, and perseverance, I will put it into practice, I admire and represent the human figure, you're a good role model, thank you very much.

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  9. Sadami...your work is so good, so beautiful and sooo full of life...I have no words to describe it. I was taking a look at your posts and texts, everything is interesting. Thanks for sharing your talent and thank you v much for your kind comments about may work. Your blog is a source of inspiration.

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  10. Dear Fabio,
    Thank you so much for nice comments. Your beautiful work,too,inspires me. In demo, you enjoy "calculated" spontaneousness. I admire your great talent. Please keep up wonderful work.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  11. I love your work Sadami. It's so fresh and vibrant. I will be checking back often.

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  12. Dear Bonnie,
    Thank you~~~! Let us have fun in painting.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  13. Hi Sadami. Love your work and your excellent tips. Thank you for sharing your excellent advice. It's a great pleasure to see you work. You have a new fan!! Congratulations on your fine art!

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  14. Thank you, Anna!
    Congratulations on your art work, too!! I love your vivid and playful art. Please keep up your beautiful work.
    Cheers, wink, wink,
    Sadami

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  15. Me alegro de haber encontardo este blog tan instructivo e interesante. Me he permitido agregarme ya que los consejos que das sobre pintura me interesan mucho. Te felicito. Saludos cariñosos. Victoria.

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  16. Hi, Victoria, welcome!! Wow, your blog is so good that has many fascinating stuff from political cartoons, photos to paintings. What a wonderful sense of humor!! If my blog can be some help for you, I'm very, very happy. Let's have fun together.
    Hola, Victoria, bienvenida! Wow, tu blog es tan bueno que tiene muchas cosas fascinantes de caricaturas políticas, las fotos a las pinturas. ¡Qué maravilloso sentido del humor! Si mi blog puede ser un poco de ayuda para usted, estoy muy, muy feliz. Vamos a divertirnos juntos.
    Cheers, Sadami
    >>>>>>>>>Victoria said...
    I'm glad this blog encontardo as instructive and interesting. Add me and I allowed that give tips on painting me very interested. Congratulations. Warm greetings. Victoria.

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