Drawing Jam, Part 1: Models

12/7/19 Cookie Couture (20-min. pose)

Cannoli (20-min. pose)

I know I just got through saying I’ve been jonesin’ for life-drawing practice while Gage Academy is on winter break. But one reason Gage takes that break is to put on Drawing Jam, the school’s annual day-long participative art extravaganza, which I look forward to all year. Saturday was my eighth consecutive year taking part in the Jam (now in its 20^th year), which offers nude and costumed models to draw and sculpt, areas for still life and self-portrait practice, demos by Gage instructors, activities for kids, live music to draw by, and free art supplies donated by Blick. Guess what? I got my fix!

Since I sketch nude models during regular sessions but rarely have a chance to draw them in costume, I focused my attention on the latter. I was also in the mood to try some new materials that I don’t usually take to life drawing. I’m currently working on reviews of fountain pen inks for the Well-Appointed Desk, so Drawing Jam gave me an opportunity to use those inks in unusual ways.

Two models sketched in 1 minute

First I filled several waterbrushes with fountain pen inks. This tool is not new to me; I first started using it years ago during the long transition between being frustrated with watercolors and trying to find something else that worked better for me. I remembered the fast, deliciously juicy applications of ink I could get with waterbrushes, and I knew they’d be fun to use during short poses. For the ink reviews, I had also filled a couple of hacked Pilot Parallel fountain pens, so I grabbed these for Drawing Jam, too.

I tried using the waterbrushes and pens individually during the shortest poses, but the real fun started during the five- and 10-minute poses. First I captured the general gesture loosely and broadly with an ink-filled waterbrush. Then with a Pilot Parallel containing a contrasting color ink, I went back into the gesture to emphasize shadows and fill in a few details. Sometimes I used a water-filled brush to spread the inks further and bring out the light. So much fun! I’m definitely going to bring these tools to regular life-drawing practice when it starts up again.

Two models sketched in 1 minute

Ink-filled waterbrush and a hacked Pilot Parallel!

10-min. pose

10-min. pose

5-min. pose

5-min. pose

During 10- and 20-minute poses, I also used my favorite watercolor pencils to work on tighter drawings. With nude models, color isn’t very important, so I hardly even think about it. With costumed models, though, it was a lot of fun using full color for a change.

10-min. pose

10-min. pose

20-min. pose

Most fun of all was drawing drag queens Cookie Couture (top of page, whom I’ve enjoyed sketching at previous Drawing Jams), Mercury Divine and Cannoli (top of page) – their bright outfits were a treat.

Mercury Divine (20-min. pose)

Thank you, Blick and Gage, for the free art supplies!