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On drawing from Photographs

stillife1 - http://www.dannygregory.com/2006/01/photo.php
drawing by Danny Gregory


Danny Gregory's article and the comments that follow makes for an interesting read. I found the article raised points that I had not looked at. It is quite absorbing and so is the write-up on it on the Digital Photography site.


But I must admit that I do not agree with him. Drawing from Photographs and from Life are two different methods and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. I do both and would not like to stop either or run down either method. Having said that, the article is definitely worth a read.

Found the link to Danny Gregory's article on the Digital Photography site.


Update: May 26 - The other side of the coin :D on Art News Blog

And I've joined the EDM, Danny Gregory's group recently and find the members very friendly and supportive.

Comments

  1. Hey where are you based in Gurgaon?

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you look at his two drawings, you'll notice he put a little more care into the one "from life" - he either aimed for some more accuracy, or he got better from drawing the other one first. Adding a few letters here or there that aren't in the "from photo" picture and straightening the keyboard keys are just a few examples of how he's trying to make the "from life" one look better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well I have to say I agree with you - both are valid. I'm afraid when I looked at DG's drawings the one from a photograph simply looked like he hadn't even tried, but then I'm not a DG fan so maybe I'm judging him harshly (I have no quibble with his essential arguments that everyone can draw, the everyday is interesting and everyone can be creative but I don't rate him as an artist very highly and I find his personality a bit grating). And of course now it's two years since he wrote that he has since made a video of himself extolling the virtues of drawing portraits from photographs which are upside down...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sarah : I've been a part of the EDM group now for several years and I've been a fan for a while. Drawing from life daily is good practice and helps you improve tremendously. I dont think he meant that you should use that method for all the work that you do.

    DRB : the piece on display here has been made by Danny Gregory. I put it here to illustrate the post. I shall update the post clarify. thanks for stopping by :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sarah : i never have the patience to proof read!! I meant I have been a fan of Danny Gregory's for a while and joined the group because i believe in the benefits of drawing regularly.

    Anonymous : one thing about drawing from life is that you can make those changes and he might have. I havent seen the drawings for a while. i do believe that drawing from life should be a part of my practice as i see that there are tremendous benefits.

    ReplyDelete

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