Drawing from Memory

Artist’s journals are primarily about observation but there are many times we see things that can’t be drawn at the moment. This is not a bad thing. Drawing from memory hones images down to their essence.
Compare all the time even though you don’t have a pencil in hand.
Rounder than ________, Darker than ________,  Brighter than _________.

This girl in the park wore her hair in ponytails and her pants rolled up. There was a grown woman nearby. I compared their profiles, the girl’s face was rounder and her features more compact.

Remembering colors is easier if you think in descriptive words like gray blue, sour green, darkish, yellow brown. One of my teachers in college suggested mixing paint in your mind as you go through the day seeing interesting colors.

Short-term memory is important for drawing moving animals and birds. I struggle to hold a shape in my mind for a brief second till I can draw a quick gesture study on paper. Sometimes I can see an after-image when I close my eyes. It helps if there is a strong contrast of light and dark.

Traveling I see many things to draw each passing mile. I look for an anchor, something to remind me of the shapes and colors. Triangles against swirls, curves against straight lines, bright colors against drab color. All of these quick thoughts bring back the image and the colors as I begin to draw and paint at home.

Once you start drawing something kicks in. Give it a moment or two, then shapes and color come back. Pretty soon you'll start remembering other things that belong in your journal.

Comments

[leah hawks]

Erin,
I have recently found your "Create Your Own
Artist's Journal", which I love and am so inspired by. It is full of magical and common sense ideas for journaling and enjoying nature. I live on a country property in Napa and have 'at home' opportunity to do the very things you suggest. Thanks so much for a great book!
Leah