Finally, for the first time in about a week, I managed to do some drawing!

My dad is home from hospital and doing better, and I’ve managed to sleep properly these last 2 nights – probably due to exhaustion!

My hand has been feeling better this week so today I sat down and re-drew a drawing I had started about 2 weeks ago: Study of Lower Part of Female Nude (error in Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters) St Michael The Archangel by Jacopo Pontormo.  When  I first drew this the proportions weren’t right, so I started again from scratch.  The proportions were really difficult to pin down.  I’m constantly amazed by what our eyes see.  I thought I had the proportions correct judging by what I was looking at, but I measured everything and they were just wrong in so many places.

I know it feels a little more mechanical when you start to add plumb lines and horizon lines all over a drawing, but I believe that they are essential – especially for a beginner like myself – in ensuring correct proportions.  I employ this technique, but also look at the negative space and the distance between specific points on the drawing.  It may not be for everyone, but for the moment, I definitely need it!