I'm so excited to show you my latest
drawing. The process for this piece was different than any other,
all because the reference photos were taken outside. Normally, I set
up for a reference photo shoot in my studio. I block out the
windows, and set up one strong spot light. I put up something blank
as a background. I have a sketch of a specific pose for the model.
The photo shoot is usually done well within 20 minutes. But this
time was different, and not just because the photo shoot lasted all
day.
A photographer friend and I set out
with two models to another friend's property who has many acres of
untouched nature. I couldn't decide if I wanted to sketch out
specific ideas or not. It was hard to imagine a concrete plan when I
would have less control of the set-up. Finally, I decided since we
would be shooting on-location, with two models, and among nature, I
would let the environment inspire me on the spot to envision a future
drawing. I didn't want to limit myself and cut off new creative
ideas that might spring up.
The models were outside, and they were
nude. At first, that idea seems odd, and unusual. Many of us
rarely, if ever, will be nude outside in our lifetime (aside from
perhaps when we were babies, but we can't remember that.) But almost
immediately it felt completely natural. Nude figures, completely
bare and natural, among unaltered foliage and trees, made perfect
sense. It reminded me of the story of Eve among all the beauty of
Eden. It made me imagine our tribal ancestors, living outside,
taking only food and leaving only footprints. All of this, of
course, fit in with my artistic concepts I have been working with.
This piece was from a photograph of the
model covered in shadows of branches. The forms of the dark and
light patterns hugging the curves of her skin were beautiful and
organic. The shadows reaching across her skin accentuated her form.
I had a wonderful experience drawing
this. The most fun and interesting pieces to draw have a lot of
individual abstract moments, and this one had plenty. This piece
demanded to be large, so I would have room to play among her
features, hair, and shadows. It is 24"x30".
Without further ado, here she is. Her
name is "Native."
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| "Native" chalk and charcoal, 24"x30", by Heather Clements, 2014. |
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| "Native" (detail) chalk and charcoal, 24"x30", by Heather Clements, 2014. |
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| "Native" (detail) chalk and charcoal, 24"x30", by Heather Clements, 2014. |
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| "Native" (detail) chalk and charcoal, 24"x30", by Heather Clements, 2014. |
And here are some shots taken during the process:
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| "Native" drawing process, by Heather Clements. |
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| "Native" drawing process, by Heather Clements. |
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| "Native" drawing process, by Heather Clements. |
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| "Native" drawing process, by Heather Clements. |
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| "Native" drawing process, by Heather Clements. |
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| "Native" drawing process, by Heather Clements. |
P.S. "Native" is indeed for sale for $975. Payment plans are definitely an option. Contact me if you're interested.
Green Tip #23: 10 Vegetables and Herbs You Can Eat Once And Regrow Forever. We all know gardening for ourselves can have huge impact for the benefit of the environment. But sometimes gardening can be time-consuming and the idea overwhelming. Well, here are some super easy things you can do without even having to buy anything extra at all. Check out this article on 10 Vegetables and Herbs You Can Eat Once And Regrow Forever.
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to visit my world for a moment via this little art blog.
-Heather
