The physicist Werner Heisenberg famously said, in the context of scientific observation: "What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning". I wonder (but don't know - this is MY uncertainty principle...) whether this has some relation to what artists and drawers do. What a drawer observes may not be the thing, itself, but instead may be the thing (or nature) exposed to the drawer's method of looking at it.
my drawing has taken me into the substance of the subject I’ve chosen. I have moved from the broad picture to the structure - I have drawn buildings and have to draw the bricks ‘almost’ individually as I need to feel the construction will really stand up. Equally with nature, I rarely draw a tree - I have to focus on the detail of where branches form or fruits develop. How did that leaf get there, what holds it on, and the veins, they are so beautiful, as is their structure. I draw with Derwent and Faber coloured pencils and most of my work is 50/60 cms square and so the completion time can be well in excess of 100 hours and I absolutely adore every moment of it.
Thank you for your post Janine, it felt as if you were addressing me directly! Skill!
I sketched out a ‘Dorje’ today. My modus operandi tends to be black pen for some reason and there’s always a moment before I start drawing where I feel I am taking a leap of faith. Turned out the one end of the dorje became bigger than the other so the ‘fixing’ became the pictures evolution. So even if I knew what I was sketching, it still surprised me for a while…and then I just had to know when to stop!
Thank you, I enjoyed this. To answer your question, I was drawing at the museum and what surprised me was the different works I was drawn to “copy”. Thinking and writing about them later I realized that my seemingly haphazard choice of subjects actually reflected what I needed to think about personally and as an artist. All unbeknownst to me.
Deep, philosophical yet practical and filled with everyday truth. Thank you, Andrea for your sight, insight and clarity of thought through drawing investigations.
This lovely article is a poem inciting everyone to open your eyes and start doing something to allow, with your intention and purpose, everyday, everywhere Beauty, even the smallest tiny bit of it, make a mark in your soul!
This is so insightful about the mental process of drawing ... how difficult and enjoyable it is and how much you learn - beautifully written
Yes, it's difficult! And it doesn't get easier, there's always challenges
The physicist Werner Heisenberg famously said, in the context of scientific observation: "What we observe is not nature itself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning". I wonder (but don't know - this is MY uncertainty principle...) whether this has some relation to what artists and drawers do. What a drawer observes may not be the thing, itself, but instead may be the thing (or nature) exposed to the drawer's method of looking at it.
"nature exposed to our method of questioning" and each medium you choose is a slightly different way of questioning
my drawing has taken me into the substance of the subject I’ve chosen. I have moved from the broad picture to the structure - I have drawn buildings and have to draw the bricks ‘almost’ individually as I need to feel the construction will really stand up. Equally with nature, I rarely draw a tree - I have to focus on the detail of where branches form or fruits develop. How did that leaf get there, what holds it on, and the veins, they are so beautiful, as is their structure. I draw with Derwent and Faber coloured pencils and most of my work is 50/60 cms square and so the completion time can be well in excess of 100 hours and I absolutely adore every moment of it.
Thank you for your post Janine, it felt as if you were addressing me directly! Skill!
Thanks for such an interesting description of your process and your thoughtful reply! (My name is Andrea btw! 😄)
Andrea! huge apologies for using the wrong name. 😬
I sketched out a ‘Dorje’ today. My modus operandi tends to be black pen for some reason and there’s always a moment before I start drawing where I feel I am taking a leap of faith. Turned out the one end of the dorje became bigger than the other so the ‘fixing’ became the pictures evolution. So even if I knew what I was sketching, it still surprised me for a while…and then I just had to know when to stop!
Thank you, I enjoyed this. To answer your question, I was drawing at the museum and what surprised me was the different works I was drawn to “copy”. Thinking and writing about them later I realized that my seemingly haphazard choice of subjects actually reflected what I needed to think about personally and as an artist. All unbeknownst to me.
I love that answer, yes! We both know less than we think we do, And Also…so much more! drawing can get at both sides of that paradox.
Deep, philosophical yet practical and filled with everyday truth. Thank you, Andrea for your sight, insight and clarity of thought through drawing investigations.
Beautiful article! Just what I needed to read today... especially since winter has me putting off most drawing. Thank you!
this is great, Andrea - "drawing is my practice of that wonder" - indeed! Thank you!
thanks for reading, Nick! I realized after writing it and went out to draw, I really have to work to be okay with how far I fall short!
Thank you so much 💖...
This lovely article is a poem inciting everyone to open your eyes and start doing something to allow, with your intention and purpose, everyday, everywhere Beauty, even the smallest tiny bit of it, make a mark in your soul!
Thank you so much!