“In the last several years I have taken a few art classes. In every one, the instructors emphasized drawing or painting what you see. I understand why they did this, but not everyone “sees” the same exact thing! After studying Georgia O’Keeffe’s work in the past and reading what she had learned in her many years as an artist, I have to say I agree with modern art instructors up to a point. We can spend a great deal of time concentrating on getting this line or this curve in just the right spot so our drawing ends up looking like a photograph, or we can study the subject and know it so well that we can draw it in a way that expresses who we are as individual artists.”  Patsy H. Parker

You may remember the paragraph above which is a tad different today from when I wrote it in my piece about on Georgia O’Keefee. I was re-reading it, and I have found that my approach to drawing has changed quite a bit since just last summer. I have been pulled into learning all about sea turtles, as you know, and lately I have been trying to figure out how to draw them more “animated” looking like in children’s books and movies since I am working on my first children’s book.

Last night I watched “Finding Nemo” to observe how the artists drew the sea creatures, mainly the sea turtles, of course, because lately, I’ve had my animal books out trying to figure out how to make certain sea creatures look animated with the expressions I desire them to have. I don’t want to copy anyone else’s stuff, you know! Professionals make it look so simple, but as I watched the movie (which is on a VHS tape, by the way,) I kept stopping it in places, and I learned I would not want to be an animator for movies! I don’t know what all is involved in their jobs, but I would not want to draw every frame to get them to move the way they do! So I admire anyone who has that much patience! I realize much of this is done on computers now, also, but think of the old movies like “Bambi” when they didn’t have that technology! WOW! Those old Disney artists were incredible! I have great respect for all artists, but those guys made animals so look so incredibly cute! I mean Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web is adorable! I never thought about the fact that he has blue eyes until I noticed them when I watched it again. And his little gosling friend is equally adorable!

I guess I have always had a desire to do animation of animals since I was young. It is fun to learn, but takes a great deal of thought. That’s what I like, though, a good challenge!

QUESTION: HOW ARE YOU CHALLENGING YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST OR WRITER TODAY???

Have a wonderful day, and give someone you love a big hug! 🙂