Thursday, June 11, 2009

Struggling to acheive realism


I am the first to admit that I cannot draw worth a damn. What I see in my head doesn't always translate well to paper. So for those of you who have the ability to draw this post should give you a chuckle. I have been trying to depict hands for the piece I am working on. It has been very frustrating for me. How do I get a 3 dimensional vision into a 2 dimensional piece? Pretty pathetic I must admit but this is how it is going to be. I cannot do what I cannot do. Sigh, I only have 2 others to do. These are the types of things that I get hung up on, get frustrated, then run away. Anyone else react like that?

14 comments:

Terry Grant said...

I think the hands look great! No, they are not terribly realistic, but they have style and graceful lines and certainly express the idea of "hands". Realism is not all it's cracked up to be, IMO!

Vivien Zepf said...

I agree with Terry. I think these hands have great character and I hope you do more of them.

Kay Koeper Sorensen said...

Why do things have to be realistic? Ask yourself how important that is Sherryl. These hads came from within you and that is important in creating the ART.
K

Carole said...

Sherryl, before I read your comments, I thought, 'what graceful hands'... wish I could do that!
I agree with what has been said above... it is ART!!

Sherryl said...

Ok gals, I give up. Thank you all. I get too hung up with realism... probably why I tend to the abstract.

FunkyC said...

Years ago, a wise drawing teacher taught us that if hands are a problem, then strive to give the essence of hands. Hands have always been difficult for me when drawing.

I think the hands you've created capture the essence, the suggestion of hands in an elegant, graceful way. People's brains will do the rest.

Anonymous said...

If you want to learn realism I cannot suggest the teaching DVD's of this guy enough to you:
http://the-structure-of-man.blogspot.com/

The list of what he offers is in the right hand column. The studios in Hollywood really do pay him to teach their artists to improve their skills. There is a sample video on that page for you to look over. I bought the Structure of Man set for my son-in-law ( who is a great artist) and he not only loves them, he says he learned a lot from them. They are worth every penny they cost, and they are greatly under priced IMHO

Susan Schrott, Artist said...

Sometimes, we have to let go, and in doing so things fall into place. Also, try not to be such a critic...rather, enjoy the process...

Judy Alexander said...

These are beautiful hands. I wish I could let go a little and not be so wrapped up in realism.

Kathy York said...

Sorry your hands did not come out the way you wanted. I think they are extremely effective and they draw me in. Great shapes! Very expressive!

Rayna said...

who needs realistic?? You can take a photo for that. Art is your interpretation of reality.

Unknown said...

Sherryl,

I finally gave in about drawing, as I was convinced I could not either. Then I bought the 25 yr old best seller, now out in 3rd edition, 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain." When we learn in school all left brain based work (i.e. math, language, reading writing) our right brain training falls behind. As we struggle as adolescents to draw 'realistically,' we get frustrated and drop out from the artist within us. Pick up the book used at Amazon for about $5.00 plus shipping and amaze yourself within a week. Best investment I have made as an artist yet!

Sherryl said...

Thanks all. I will consider the book but I really am a by the seat of my pants type of girl. I very rarely use drawing realistically as a tool and in this piece, my gut was probably the way to go. I suspect that realism would have killed it.I really do appreciate all the comments as they give me lots of food for thought.

ARTSAVVY said...

You are doing fine with or without realisnm. Art is about passion and joy. There is realism and there are interpretations of realism to include impressionism and espressionism among many others. I think your image may fall into expressionism....looks good to me as long as you are enjoying yourself. It is kinda like pumpkins, one is too big and round for one person but another is too skinny and tall where another is just right cause it will fit on the table..*chuckle*