Anatomy Study at the Metropolitan Museum

So many statues & so little time. I generally pick ones with a simple line, so I don't get bog down with details. 

A couple of rough sketches to see if I can get the gesture.

Time spent on the descriptive detail is part of the learning process.

Having a library at the museum is a big plus for refining my drawing.

As you can see, aside from a more comfortable position for drawing, I'm surrounded by original art & thousands of art books.

This highly finished study took me 4 hrs at the museum

SKETCHES FROM THE MET

another nude at the American Wing

To capture the movement of this sculpture, I express the dynamic gesture thru a charcoal pencil. Paying attention to light & dark forms. Once again, the highlights were enhanced with my kneaded eraser.

charcoal pencil on tone paper

TIME AT THE MET

If one can't visit the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum is the next best place to be. I dont always have time to sit & sketch. With so many wonderful artwork around every bend, it's pretty easy to full up my sketchbook.

lovely space at the American Wing

On this tone paper, I use a kneaded eraser as my drawing tool. The eraser allows me to create an effect of subtle luminosity. Just the right tool for subtle play of light & dark. For this study, less is definitely more. Come back for my next post to see another approach I use to create light & dark forms.

kneaded eraser shape to a point

SARGENT'S WATERCOLOR

Since I love to sketch, the Drawing & Prints Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum is one of my favorite spot. Selections from the permanent collection rotates regularly. One never knows what little gem will show up on the walls. These lovely sketches by John Singer Sargent is worth a few more visits.

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM

Fresco panel from the Metropolitan Museum. I routinely drew inspirations from the old masters, but always as a point of departure from my own inspired works.

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NYC

No time to sit & sketch, but took lots of inspiring pictures...My NYC Ramblings, via INSTAGRAM

CAPTURING THE MOMENT

On my way to see the MATISSE exhibit at the Metropolitan museum, this scene hold me up for a good hour...capturing the moment. The stature will always be there, the horizontal figure in shadow completes the composition-a study in vertical & horizontal.