The Human Canvas - Lessons Learned on a Footpath

So...back to that Footpath for a moment. For the complete Footpath session, click HERE. (((hmmm. not working right now. just scroll down for the Footpath session, or look for the link(s) down and to the right - in the June 2011 archive)))

This was both a successful experiment in forced perspective, as well as a learning experience for me.

While in some cases - many cases - the use of black is very useful for defining...and making things "pop" just a bit.

(((The black used here, by the way, was simply charcoal...like what you'd use for grilling. This is an inexpensive alternative to any other kind of black chalk or pastels...useful when working on a rough surface...like someones driveway...someone ELSE'S driveway. ALSO - don't get the kind of charcoal that's been pre-treated with some sort of lighter fluid or other accelerant. It smells funny and gets on your hands.)))

The lesson learned...to be careful of just how much black you use. Just like any other kind of drawing (you know...like on paper...not people?), it's easy to end up going too dark, too fast.

While the black used here was useful in defining some areas, it simply made other areas too dark, with actually LESS definition. The forest, for example.

Still though...a succesful experiment...

...and the adventures will continue.

The Human Canvas - A Footpath

Another session with Court. She was still working on her dissertation, so I knew she'd be typing away, sitting relatively still.

This was as far as we got, actually. I'd been drawing while the sun gradually set. I eventually looked to my right, and had to stop.

Not sure how I missed this...as it was happening...I was drawing I guess.

Well, after that sunset AND a bottle of wine had disappeared, we decided we really needed food by that point. This became the only human canvas session that never got finished. Let's just pretend it looked like this.

Next day - more dissertation - more sitting relatively still. So was she game?

Of course she was. She was also up for getting a challenge afoot. Or...in this case...making a foot, a challenge. What can you do with a foot?

Well, get it un-booted for one...

...then just stare at the canvas, and see what you see. Okay...beyond a good pedi...What can that shape become?

Many things I'm sure. But this is what I saw that day.

This became an experiment in forced perspective as well. After drawing in the forest, I pretty much laid my head on her knee...

...to get the dimensions right...

So we could see the path...and the forest...

...as if we were looking at it from the beginning of the bridge.

This was a learning experience for me as well. About the use of too much black...more on that next time. For now though...

Mmmmwa!

Thanks again, Court!

Contest!!! Ongoing!!! New Entries!!!

Hi.

Been gone for a while. Istanbul. Turkey. It's okay...got a cool scarf or two, and am just about caught up on my sleep.

Upon my return - a couple more entries for the perpetual contest...

Thank you Yaseen...

...And Christine!

To see all the entries, and an explanation of the contest (like...that there's no prize, no expiration, no limit to how these things turn out), click HERE...or just go to the "Contest!!! Ongoing!!!" tab near the top of the page