we started with a new model this week. a new beginning and a new perspective - i chose to draw her from a different perspective than usual. in fact i think i've only ever attempted portraits from straight on. there's something comforting in knowing that if you draw them head-on, you can always double check for relative symmetry between eyes, ears, and other features. this time i thought it would be fun to try a kind of 3/4 angle, and to boot i am sitting low and in front, looking up at her, rather than straight on.
funny thing is, working from this new place, it almost felt like a new mindset went with it. i struggled a lot less with the initial placement of features, and i got to a good place relatively quickly (which is unusual).
how do i know i am in a "good place" with a drawing? i take a pic of it on my phone and look at the pic - it helps me remove myself from the piece. then i ask myself: "if someone else drew this, would i wish i had drawn it?" this time, the answer is already yes, and that makes me happy.
in other news, i should have realized that bringing a kitten into the household would be incredibly disruptive. lilac, the resident queen cat of the house, is not happy and is suddenly fond of growling and hissing.
lilac does not like to share.
madeline, the kitten, is adorable and a complete spaz. she climbs my jeans, she is learning how to fetch, she knows now how to whine pathetically to gain my sympathy, and she meows like a little squeaky bird.
the intrepid intruder, madeline
the resident diva, lilac.
hopefully she'll come around and realize having a new kitty friend isn't the end of her world. after all, there's all that kitten food she can steal when we're not looking.
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