SOME RAMBLINGS ON DRAWING

This is a pencil portrait of Gilbert Chini, the village electrician and TV expert.
I drew him again because he has such an interesting face. It was done on a cold wintery day in what should be spring in Southwest France. And I really enjoyed the exercise, probably because it was a way of escaping from the deplorable weather, and rediscovering drawing.

Here's what some great artists have said about drawing:

An artist draws with his brains and not with his hand (Michelangelo),

Paul Klee said that drawing is taking a dot for  a walk.

The pleasure Van Gogh got is expressed in his thought that 'I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing.'

I also found one recently attributed to Salvador Dali that encapsulates my ideas on abstract art. 'Those who do not want to imitate anything produce nothing.'

Now go and get a pencil and paper and start drawing.

MAN IN A BLACKSHIRT

The drawing is three fourths and a half of what constitutes painting. Jean-August-Dominique Ingres.

I think he's got a point. A really big one. So it's back to the drawing board.
Here's my latest portrait in pencil. I try to think about it as painting with a pencil. Great fun, really, when you get into it. Why not give it a go.
All you need is a sheet of paper and a pencil. And a face of course. If faces are in short supply, just look in the mirror.

AT LONG LAST AN ONLINE GALLERY

Well, after many years of procrastination, I've finally changed my "why do something today when it can be put off until tomorrow" philosophy. On one matter anyway. My online gallery.
So, if anyone is interested, as of today, 8 July 2009, you can see my paintings ONLINE.
And if you are really interested, you can look at all 88 paintings. (More to be added soon).
Those of you who are really, really interested can EVEN BUY PAINTINGS ONLINE.
Please tell your friends by forwarding this link
rayjohnstone.co.uk