Sketch #000014 - "Eyes"

[Taron]

...I really want to know your art background, Mary, because this is yet another one that shows some great strengths of yours! Wonderful idea and wonderful execution!

Awww, shucks. Thanks! I'm not really sure what to say for my "art background" as I don't really... have one. I used to draw when I was a little LITTLE kid, but then I stopped for a very long time. About a year ago I started doing some doodling, and it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I really started focusing on it. I've now done a few irl watercolors, some sketches, etc. and of course playing with Verve! Last year I did a few sessions of gesture drawing but... I think I need to actually figure out how to DO IT CORRECTLY before jumping right in with a "YEAHyeah I get it, whatever, just let me do it" attitude. lol.

I want to actually study how to draw and paint. My husband has a few books that he wants me to go through for drawing, so I'm sure it'll help. (He only dabbles in drawing, but he studies before trying) ... He's also always after me to use references. Somewhere along the line I picked up this notion that you're "cheating" if you have to use references... or that you're somewhat lesser of an artist because you couldn't draw something from memory or just off the top of your head. But that's just not true, and I'm starting to learn that now. It still takes some doing to get over myself and those lingering thoughts, tho, and actually use references. But when I do, things come out SO much better.

This eye is fantastic.
Picture references are as good as they are bad.
Best are real references you can walk around or a mirror.....note to myself, "you need a mirror again at you working place!"
You (me) easily get addicted to picture references for exactly same reason you said - it looks so much better. Later you (me) only search for references instead of explore your war through. That's to avoid.
But you started already with the only real weapon available, practise, practise, practise...