Early Morning Practice
As is my practice when traveling, I try to get out early to a coffee shop of some sort to draw, read, or write before the rest of my family is up and about. On the day after Independence Day I walked over to a local Starbucks for my venti size Cafe Mocha. This woman was deep into her work and I, thinking she would likely be there for a while and I could get a good drawing in, sat down at the table next to her. I couldn’t see her face because of her hair hanging down and that added a technical element to the drawing challenge I liked.
How I make my Drawing Decisions
The only real movement she made was to lean forward closer to the laptop screen or further back. I drew her hair, hoodie and body first, leaving her face and it’s angle until I was sure I could get it right. The hoodie actually had a couple stripes down the arms but I didn’t like the idea of breaking up the lines with more lines so I didn’t include them. Her skirt was a print with very light and delicate flowers. I know I could get the colors right even if I couldn’t get the flowers in detail so I went with dots of colors.
She had on a ankle bracelet that I wanted to include but I didn’t really like where it fell on her leg, feeling it looks a bit too much like a sock top or a tattoo. I really liked her little container of watermelon and made sure to include that. She had a book on top of it which I thought might make it harder to recognize as a container if I added the book on top but I did it anyway, just another challenge. I finally committed to drawing her profile at a certain angle behind the hair. I felt like I got it right though the neck line from the chin probably could have been just a tad bit farther to the left.
I tried a number of different markers for shading, experimenting with layering a slightly darker shade of whatever color I had used. That worked somewhat but it wasn’t really dark enough so I eventually used my go-to color for shading, Prismacolor Celadon Green.
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Reference and Record
I took a photo just in case I didn’t have a chance to finish the drawing and wanted some later reference.
I usually like to show the drawings I do of strangers to them if possible. She started folding paper into little rectangles and tearing them apart. She then proceeded to make what looked like spelling test cards. I noticed she had a couple big words on her screen and I got the impression she might be studying English, perhaps not speaking it at all. I wasn’t sure if I should approach her or not because of that but I decided I would.
It turned out she spoke English perfectly and was happy to see the drawing. I gave her my card and told her to email me so I could send her a copy of it. I also told her to come to the blog in a few days and I would have it up for all to enjoy. Let’s hope she does. Esther, if you do, leave a comment, ok?
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Drawing, photos and story by Marty Coleman
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I like this one A LOT Marty! The colors and detail really drew me in. You have an amazing talent not only with drawing but with words as well!
Thanks Kim! It’s funny, it’s only been in the past few years that I have started to think of myself as a writer. I wrote a short story a few years back and that, combined with my blogging, sort of opened my eyes to me designating myself a writer as well as an artist. You can read the short story here: http://napkindad.com/blog/2011/04/17/sunday-in-sunrise-prologue/
I love this! I have been following you since I met you at a Tweet Up at Leon’s quite a while ago — you showed them to Julie Chin and I at the same time —
But I have to say –of all the ones that you’ve done, this is a favorite — thank you for the technical/experiential explanation!
Peggikaye, that’s awesome that this one connected to you so thoroughly. I like explaining how things happen artistically and relationally so I am glad that part of the post resonated as well. I am happy to know you have been following my work, please feel free to comment and share anytime, I always appreciate it!