Open figure drawing sessions usually stop for the summer here in Bruges, but luckily, this year they did not. A stalwart stepped up and volunteered to organize them. So the usual cast of characters, including myself, jumped in. Hooray!

Due to the instruction I have been receiving at the Watts Atelier in Encinitas, California though, my approach to figure drawing has changed – pretty radically. The Watts approach takes you back to basics so you can build up (correctly) from there. No one (who has already been drawing from the figure for decades) signs up for this unless they have become convinced of their (classical-method) ignorance.

So I’ve learned how to sharpen a pencil (seriously!). I’ve also learned how to hold that pencil (double seriously!!). I’ve learned how to create a line firmly and succinctly, without the chicken scratch of hesitation. I’ve learned how useful cheap, smooth newsprint can be (which strangely enough is not available in Europe!!). And yes I’ve learned anatomy, but perhaps more importantly I’ve learned methods of abstraction so as to quickly locate gesture and then turn it into meaningful form and structure. At all this I am still a rank beginner, but every once in awhile, I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Here are a few of the more successful drawings from this summer. September still beckons with regular sessions recommencing soon at the Hoeve Hangerin. We’ll see what happens.