More about drawing

Drawing is a big part of my practice and always has been in one form or other.

Over many years I worked within the confines of a sketch book, honing my skills and hitting my hight wen designing compositions to be turned in to woodblocks.

At that time I was interested in the drawing and printing of Leonard Baskin. Gradually gaining the skill of cutting woodblocks so that they looked like a brush and ink sketch.

The Hydrogen Man print was a big influence as can be seen in my Frustrated Bear print, this was designed and cut when my late wife and I were going through a very hard time with the cancer. I was truly frustrated and angry with the world and found solace and inspiration from Baskin’s work. I could relate to Baskin’s subject matter, the idea of a twisted eviscerated body, drawn of many lines, showing the tension within. In many ways I was able to achieve this with the Frustrated Bear.

But at the same time I was also looking for my own visual language, my own drawing style, something that feels natural and unforced. In many ways it’s funny that I am working within mediums that I used to hate. I really did not like pastels, I did not like the marks they made and how they blended, yet some how they feel the natural medium to use for my current study drawings.

They add an air of spontaneity and freedom that I have been looking for. So for now I will continue to enjoy sketching and drawing with chalks and charcoals and see where this level of exploration leads me.