Aquarelles on coloured paper, 20 minutes.


Aquarelles and coloured pencils on coloured paper, 15 minute pose.


6B and coloured pencil on coated paper, 20 minute pose.

Some drawings are better than others. Sometimes the model moves. Sometimes I get tired or uninspired by the pose, or hungry or just because. But the name of the game is to continue to look at the challenge presented by the subtle nuances of the body, and convince your eye/brain/hand to act in concert; and hopefully the gods of drawing materials join in and together we all create a masterpiece. And you think about it, and think about it again. And again, when you look at the drawings, and again, when I edit and post them here. Mark Bernstein asks, 'Can we do it all, better?' He sees 'galleries and museums are a big conversation: how can we do this?', and asks what is the purpose of music. Big questions, Mark, good questions. In the age of machines, it is the hallmark of humanity. There is no machine that makes art - drawings, music, or any of the other glimmers of creativity that define us as a species. The purpose is itself.

After last week's breakthrough on capturing a likeness, I couldn't wait to grab my 6B and settle in to see if I could create another likeness this week. What if it was a one off? A weird torture from the universe - a likeness once, and only once. I'm pleased to say, no, it seems like it is something you can learn, get better at, and generally keep in your repertoire of skills. I feel pretty pleased with this drawing. 6B on coated paper, 15 minute pose.


6B on coated paper, 20 minute pose.


6B on coated paper, 20 minute pose.

10 minute pose - 6B pencil on coated paper.


20 minute pose - coloured pencil on coloured paper.


20 minute pose - aquarelle on coloured paper.


Finally! Something resembling a likeness. It was a good night's drawing tonight - one of the other artists looked over my drawings from a week or so ago, and said, 'Oh so it was (model's name).' I was amazed that he could interpret that information from my drawing as I didn't think there was even a passing resemblance. This drawing is different, it actually does begin to capture a reasonable likeness. An unexceptional drawing, but nevertheless, one I'm very pleased with. 20 minute pose - 6B pencil on coated paper.