It Begins with a Gesture - original charcoal figurative gesture drawing on toned paper

Well, at least for me, it always starts with a gesture.  I think gesture drawings are almost as individual as fingerprints and I love seeing how other artists approach their drawings and often, ultimately, their paintings.
Some artists draw from the inside of the figure (or subject) and sort of "feel" their way to the outside of the figure, but others do the exact opposite, working from the outside in.  I have even seen a few artists who put down a single line with few or no 'searching' ones.  Whatever works for the artist is the perfect approach to drawing gestures!
Those starting lines can be so beautiful and I think it's important not to erase the lines with which the drawing is begun - those 'exploring' lines give a bit of life to the drawing.   When I forget that, and  erase a line I think isn't working, I'll often accidentally put it back in the same place, and then it can be too dark and the paper may be roughed up, so I usually try to keep the eraser far from my reach! 
Gestures are such a stream-of-consciousness endeavor.   Some days I think I will just do gesture drawings only from now on - and yesterday was one of those days.  Great things can come from gestures, but even if nothing fantastic develops, we still have an interesting record of what we were seeing at that moment in time!
This drawing is done on Strathmore 8 x 6" toned Mixed Media paper.  Thanks so much for looking!

How I Start a Drawing - ink volleyball gestures

Here are a few gestures from a volleyball game at which I was a spectator.  These kinds of drawings always remind me of wire sculptures - an art form that I really enjoy.  I did these in a little notebook that I often carry - one of the drawings has my notes in Gregg shorthand - another art form, as well as a communication device.  I still use shorthand most days and am thinking of ways to incorporate it into my artwork.  Several years ago, I saw that done in a painting - it was more of an assemblage that featured a key on a cord that was draped in front of the shorthand.  Really unique and beautiful.  Anyway, back to the present - I realize that these drawings don't appear to be very substantial, but for me, all the art I do starts this way.  Thanks for looking.

 

Rockabilly - original figurative water-soluble pencil drawing

Looking out the window of the restaurant, I saw this fellow as he listened to a friend.  I was ready with my sketchbook, water-soluble pencil and a brush with the water reservoir.  It's so quickly done, but I loved the gesture and his concentration.  This one is about 11 x 5".  Thanks for visiting!

Jivin' In Black and White - original figurative ink drawing

Meant to post this last night, but I got bogged down on Ancestry.com.  A never-ending mystery - at least my family is!
I did this on 6 x 6" Bristol board paper using a black ink drawing pen.  It's one of those with a narrow tip at one end and the other end is wider - in this case, a Prismacolor. This kind of pen is great for drawing - just so expressive.  Why, that pen helped this little couple dance to Jerry Lee Lewis, so I know they agree with me!
Thanks for looking!

Lime Twist - original oil figurative gesture drawing

Just for fun - I coated a panel with lime acrylic and drew on it with oil paint. I've readied more panels in aqua and lime acrylic for these nude gesture drawings.  So much fun!  This one is 10 x 8" - thanks for looking!