Kollwitz on Drawing

Kathe Kollwitz attribution from "Voicing our Visions", by Mara R. Witzling

1867-1845

"During these years too, she began to understand that the graphic arts, with their dependence on tonality, suited her better than painting. Stauffer-Bern had recognized her extraordinary talent in graphic media and a pamphlet written by Klinger in which he asserted that some subjects, particularly those embodying the darker sides of life, were expressed more appropriately through drawing than through painting....she was deeply influenced by Klinger's defense of the primacy of drawing."p150, Drawings: Self Portrait & Municipal Shelter 1925-26

Arthritic Hand

I stopped drawing in May because of an arthritic right hand. Unfortunately, I still hold a pencil in a childlike grip, and never developed an "open hand" style of drawing. Now, at this age my hand cramps easily....I am conditioning my hand and attempting a more open grip but have a lot of relearning to do. Just one more reason to begin classical training at an early age. My hand doesn't hurt as much when I paint...consequently I am switching to a charcoal dust and kneaded eraser style. Time will tell.....

Drawing from the Model - Long Pose

This drawing was done over 4 weeks, approximately 8 hours total. I used charcoal dust to mass in the figure, then kneaded & white erasers to wipe out the lights. It was finished with vine charcoal and white pastel pencil. The heavy 100 lb. Bristol vellum paper handled the abuse well. Completed at Kenton Studio in April.

Charcoal Dust

I've been trying out charcoal dust applied with a brush because my hand has been hurting a lot since the first of the year, especially when gripping a pencil! My doctor says it is arthritis, took x-rays, and referred me to a hand specialist whom I will see later this month. It is easier to tone my paper with a brush. I rub out areas with a soft kneaded eraser then put in the darks with a charcoal pencil. The picture on the left shows how I set up my drafting table and still-life...on the right is the completed drawing.

Value Scale

A simple still life drawing using limited values (three) completed during class at Kenton Studio 12/22/10. This was a valuable exercise..Notice EF has made a few notes on the margins...

Graphite

I've been attempting to refine my drawing skills since October 2010 with Eduardo Fernandez at his Kenton Studio. This is one of the drawings I copied from Marie-Suzanne Herfeld, 1904. Done with graphite pencil on 11 x 14" Fabriano paper. EF stresses copying work from masters as well as direct drawing from casts.

2B - Drawing Pencil

My plan is to spend the year drawing with graphite pencils and sharing what I discover.