sketches

[libellum]

When I drew Fergus and liriselei in Oxford the other weekend, it was because I was very drunk, and because I was very drunk I gave the sketches to them without looking at them again. I regretted this later: I do draw quite a lot, but on the backs of envelopes or lecture notes, or on my skin, or I give them away, and so I have remarkably little to show for

Comments

[stopsignsongs]

you never told me you were an artist. you know what, wow

[libellum]

hey, thanks. I'm sure I told you I draw? I seem to remember ranting about the irony of how much I hate painting despite seeming to be good at it, because you were talking about something similar with regard to composition...

I only hate painting, I don't hate drawing. I need to remember to do it more but it's like the other things that vastly improve one's life, like yoga and meditation and reading fiction - somehow I always forget to do it during term.

[stopsignsongs]

oh, hell. you did. if i didn't tell you i have an appalling memory, then i should have done. have you got any paintings photographed/scanned online? i'd love to see some of those.

i've nothing to say, how embarrassing

[libellum]

the only painting visible online is the one linked in the entry, this one. I need to poke evil_nick to take a photograph of his sometime. Those two are the only serious things I've done in paint since my AS Level, but that will hopefully change over the summer. I have at least two commissions to get done, for starters.

[liriselei]

because I was very drunk I gave the sketches to them without looking at them again. I regretted this later

out of curiosity, why the regret ?
i can return the sketch of me if it would help ?

[libellum]

it was more of a "damn, I finally get around to drawing something and I didn't keep it again!" Mainly, I'm motivated by the fact that at some point I want to put all my art online so people can actually see it (I've even bought the domain, but so far all that's on it are these images and no title page) and I might be able to make some money. So you don't need to give it back :) If you ever find the time to scan it that'd be cool, but it's only a tiny thing and really won't make much difference in the long run.

Are you going to be in Oxford on the 10th-11th? I have Things to talk to you about and I want to do it in person rather than email.

[liriselei]

So you don't need to give it back

i'm glad, i like it :)
will see if i can find someone to scan it in.

Are you going to be in Oxford on the 10th-11th?

indeed i am ! i very rarely leave the place.

I have Things to talk to you about and I want to do it in person rather than email.

eep ! capitalisation always worries me...
do i get a hint to set my mind at rest, or must i wait on tenterhooks till then ?

[libellum]

if you can't, like I said, don't worry about it. I can always do another one next time I see you!

It may indirectly relate to my solstice plans. My magic is going in a direction I have very little experience of, and something Helen mentioned to me gave me the idea that you'd be a good person to ask. I was talking to romauld about it this evening and he agreed that you'd probably be a useful person to sound ideas off. If that would be okay?

[the_waves]

these are wonderful. i hope you post more in the future :-)
i'd so love to be able to draw.

[libellum]

I'm planning on gradually getting my artwork scanned in. A lot of it is still at my parents' house. I went on a mission in the lower IVth to scan in all my work, but our scanner then was appalling quality and they've come out mostly as obscure grey bitmaps. I intend to ask my parents to bring up my folders (most of which are A1 sized, and therefore not exactly portable) so I can do it on my shiny new scanner of love. Although I was at my most prolific at the age of 15-16, and I've improved considerably since then - but there's still some stuff I'm kind of proud of, and I want to have it online to prove I actually produce stuff, or have done. If that makes any sense :)

[the_waves]

Oh yes, it does make sense. It's somehow quite pleasing to have an online record of things too, whether it be poetry, sketches, music. And also to be able to show it off ;) you really are very talented.
I took A'Level art but dropped it after a couple of months. I was absolutely USELESS at it. Seriously. *cringe*
I sometimes wish I'd stuck with it and perhaps learnt how to draw properly. I feel I have it in me to paint but in the past have often become scared of trying for some reason. Or maybe it's just laziness. Or lack of inspiration and drive.

God. I'm rambling. I think I need to get back to the dissertation or go to bed ;)

[libellum]

I did AS Art. I had a scholarship at the school to do A Level but I had to drop it to concentrate on my Latin and Greek, or else I'd have no chance of getting the grades I needed for Cambridge. I was sorry to drop it, but it took up all my time. I still take the fact that I frequently got over 98% (as did other people in my school) in national art exams as an indication that the system was shot to hell. It shouldn't be possible, and as such was completely devoid of value.

I don't remember ever "learning to draw". I started copying people out of magazines when I was thirteen and just made it up as I went along. I suppose I had lessons and such in art class, but I never paid that much attention because still lifes and perspective exercises bored the hell out of me. I was taught to paint during AS level, but I don't think I was taught to draw. I could be wrong, however, and I've just realised it probably sounds like I'm bragging so I'll stop here :)

Laziness is the main reason I have so little artwork to me name. It's sickening. After

[yvesilena]

RAPTUROUS APPLAUSE!

[libellum]

um. thankyou!

[yiskah]

God, you're talented. It's often so cringeworthy when people share their sketches, but with you...no.

[libellum]

well, the last three are cringeworthy, but they were also five years ago, so I feel justified. It's interesting watching myself improve - and it's bizarre that this particular sketchbook has lasted quite so long, which is why I wanted to post the beginning and the end.

Thankyou for the compliment. It's really really good to hear. I take it that the Sudan plan, as well as other things, mean that you're no longer interested in commissioning me? You said you wanted a nude - I have no ideas for composition but in terms of style I'm thinking something dark with scratchy metallic bits and an abstract background with maybe fields of red and gold, but, um, that could just be influenced by the decor of your lounge. I'll be putting out a request for work over the summer when I have time to actually do it, but this seemed a good opportunity to ask :)

[libellum]

they were also five years ago

three years ago. Get it right, girl!

[oakwonder]

No, the last three are not nearly as good as the rest: merely someone with an artistic bent trying out things artistic and conventional (i.e. they're more "artistic" than the others). But all the more recent ones --! What a natural gift you have. These perfectly capture scenes and characters, and are simple, direct, unpretentious, precise. It is utterly disgusting that you do this and write, act, make music...! I dread to think what you'll achieve when you really get into your stride.