Oh dear, sorry I’ve been neglecting my blog this year. I’ve completely failed this New Years resolution to post monthly, it’s because I’ve been won over by Instagram as it’s so quick and simple, so I’ve favoured that instead.
This year has been a learning year for me. Due to Covid changing the pattern of our daily lives, and enterprising artists and museums inventing new ways to gain income, I’ve discovered access to webinars and taken instruction on different paint methods and styles, all online classes which I’ve enjoyed immensely. Some in abstract, some drawing, some painting, some just simply lectures. If the class is about the style of say Matisse, or Diebenkorn the tutor will set up the still life or model, usually reminiscent of a known painting, then they themselves paint online whilst instructing, and we ( people from all over the world) paint along with them or we can choose just to watch and absorb and ask questions live whilst also getting access to the recording later.
I’ve done so many now my head’s spinning a bit, but I’ve really benefited from them, it’s kept me drawing and painting when I felt I’d lost my way. I’ve taken classes on Matisse, Diebenkorn, Hockney, Egon Schiele, Auerbach, Joan Eardley, Klimt, as well as from lesser known (to me) contemporary artists. It’s been fun immersing myself in different styles and methods and although I’ve a feeling I’m not going to change my practice very much, it’s been extremely inspiring and I’ve learnt a few tips on the way.
I also try to keep up with the weekly free drawing online on Monday mornings. The 1 hour drawing session with http://drawingisfree.org/ run by Chloe Briggs is an invaluable way to start the week. She chooses a random 12 people from those taking part in the Zoom meeting, where each pose is head and shoulders only. The time for drawing each pose lasts for 2-5 minutes depending on the length of the piece of music Chloe has chosen, you have to be quick and decisive, a very good discipline, and there’s no competition, no one critiques your work, ( only you yourself!) it doesn’t matter if you think you fail, you just move on and try to do better. Anyone can link up, so if you feel like taking part its at 8 a.m. British time. Go the website and click on zoom link. (There isn’t one on the 1st november because she stops for the school holidays, next one is on the 8th.)
Here are some examples from the Monday sessions, and various webinars: At the St Ives School of Painting : Matisse and pattern, with artist Alice Mumford ( whose work I’ve admired for a long time) with 5-10 minute poses, using a flower stalk from a dead marguerite as a tool dipped in ink, emphasising that you can draw with anything, who needs a pen?! I got quite attached to my flower stalk!
Again with St Ives School of Painting : The webinar on Klimt and his methods with artist Tom Rickman:
and here are a few sketch portraits from some of the Monday sessions :
More to come later if I stick to my resolution!
lizkingsangster 
Liz! I have been following your social media posts about the life drawing group, but had no idea of all the other classes. The work you’ve created is so immediate and interesting. You have always had a lively touch with pen or brush, but these are livelier still! And your productivity is enviable…
I guess we all had different responses to the Covid lockdowns. I, too, retreated to my studio, and at first just did a lot of sorting and organizing—my self-medication for anxiety! Then, I signed up for online classes in glass bead making. It was amazing. One teacher was in South Africa and there were students from all over the world. In that class, the teacher had made meticulous video demonstrations which she released once or twice a week. In response, we worked at our torches, and could message her at any time with questions. She then scheduled Zoom mtgs for a final discussion with the different groups sorted by time zone. In another, the teachers did two live demonstrations in the morning, then we signed off to work on our own, and came back in the evening for sharing work and troubleshooting. It seemed like magic.
If, as individuals, we are the types that enjoy social interactions, then as artists we struggle with the constant “aloneness” we must have for our work. The thing I love about the online courses is that one can fill their studio with artist friends for an hour or two, learn from them, enjoy their company, then click the “leave session” button and they are gone. Didn’t even have to serve tea!!
Carry on, friend!
What a wonderful response! It’s great to know you’ve been doing the same thing, and enjoying it in the same way. I particularly love the description of your zoom meetings and your last paragraph has described my experience to a T. Interesting that it took a pandemic to provide artists with the company they usually lack ! x
Oh sweety, what a wonderful production! I love your lines and the movement it gives to your work.
I wish you could come here and show my students some of that gesture.
I pushed my students also to get in to the on line tutorials, however they much prefer being in school with the teachers, but mostly with their class mates.
I really love your posts and sometimes show them to the students who are always is aw wen they see your playful clarity!
Still hoping to see you soon xxxxxxxxxxx marie
You are kind Marie! Wow fame at last, I didn’t realise I was useful in your teachings! I do find my best work is when I have a stopwatch ticking, the minute I start getting fussy, I’m lost. Hope all going well xxxxxL
What a great collection of drawings Liz. With those online tutorials and classes you’ve steadily built up a really
lovely body of work, they really are great. I love the freedom and energy of your drawings, they’re an inspiration.
I totally identify with what you’ve written about continuing to blog after moving over to Instagram, I’m going through the same thing now. I prefer blog posts, I love the words with the images, but with Insta I can get stuff out there so easily and it seems to have a much wider audience. I’d like to continue with both so I’ll keep the blog subscription going for one more year and see if I actually use it.
I agree, blogs are more intimate in some ways because there’s more thought gone into presentation and conversations like we’re having now, but…. They take more time! I’m doing the same although I don’t pay for my blog site, only the website, I only hope the adverts aren’t too invasive or distracting for people reading the blog….I’ve know idea because I can never see them from this end! Thanks for liking BTW!
And I love what you post on Insta Liz, it’s a great platform too 😊
Thanks Phil, and it’s mutual!