Iinteresting, I used to be involved in Spiritualism and this drawing without 
conscious intent would be called Automatic Drawing. I know this is now a 
label in the art world for this kind of thing, but the reasons behind the 
title are a little diferent. I find it fascinating how the subconscous mind 
can influence the physical .  I have been using images from my mind, sort of 
mental photographs, alongside real photographs to produce paintings this 
year (second year fine art degree at DEMONTFORT UNI.) thinking that their 
was no naration to the canvass at all, but now find there is perfect 
alignments between all of the images. I have virtually been talking to 
myself all year without realising it, and in fact have probably been giving 
myself therapy !! My paintings are heavily influenced by my drawing. As for 
your way of starting with a line, who was it who said he "took a line for a 
walk" ? I think this is what you are doing and, by the way, how many works 
makes a body of work? You should think about an exhibition of the work you 
have already produced, I for one would be very interested in seeing them.

Keep going.

regards

Steve B RObinson
www.art-cell.com




>From: Patty Hudak <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The UK drawing research network mailing list              
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Enquiry about a focus for drawing
>Date: Sun, 20 May 2007 22:14:41 +0800
>
>Thank you for such a personal post.
>
>On 17 May 2007, at 2:46 AM, Suzanne Duffy wrote:
>
>>Dear All,
>>
>>This is my first endeavour to make a post and I would be delighted  to 
>>hear peoples views.
>>
>>Does anyone feel they work with/from images?
>
>My drawings are imaginary and  have to do with a common curved line.   As I 
>draw, the imagery appears, usually pretty abstract, but with  references to 
>experiences and events in my life.  I don't control the  images, just let 
>them appear.  Sometimes I have a vague idea of what  they will be, like a 
>starting point, but they generally move me in  new directions.
>>What do you feel you are working from when you draw?
>
>Mostly I work from the line, controlling its course, refining it,  trying 
>to maintain kind of a dreamy state of mind (like "the zone"  when people 
>exercise).
>>
>>Is it memories, new thoughts, hypothetical thoughts, dreams, are  you 
>>applying thoughts to something like an object or place and  building from 
>>there?
>
>I try to occupy my thoughts, elsewhere, so I am feeling the line more  as a 
>general state of being.  Sometimes I listen to podcasts when I  draw, 
>science subjects, medical shows, museum podcasts, to occupy the  critical 
>part of my mind so that the line comes from somewhere else  (I am not 
>entirely sure where...).
>>
>>How concious are you of how the image is forming and how deliberate  are 
>>you if you are someone who has been drawing for a long time?
>I have had a drawing practice for at least 20 years, so a long time.   The 
>way I draw is really impractical, because it is extremely slow.   So maybe 
>I produce about 10 drawings a year, and maybe out of those  10, 8 are worth 
>keeping. It is not even that they are detailed,  because I erase more than 
>I draw, so that you could not even guess  that they were so labor 
>intensive.  The problem is that I define  myself by this work, but it will 
>take me years to put together a body  of work for exhibition.
>
>Because I have been drawing for so long, I do not have a feeling of  self 
>doubt between myself and the paper--but a huge feeling of doubt  between 
>myself and the public!
>
>The image forms itself, but it looks familiar, like someone I love.   There 
>are small surprises.  I always want to be doing more.
>
>>
>>Do experienced drawers find you can almost repeat a drawing? or  feel that 
>>your pace is quickened and less tense?
>
>There is no sense to repeat a drawing.  But the last set of drawings,  I 
>traced the same drawing onto 4 sheets of paper, then worked on them  
>individually.  They each took there own direction.  They look like  
>cousins.
>
>By the way, I am an identical twin, so the idea of 2 drawings looking  
>alike is not lost to me.  But, I prefer them to be mirror images.
>
>>
>>I find drawing an intense and erratic experience, coupled with my  
>>emotions towards describing something, I am also not very  respectful of 
>>the process, at least thats how it feels! When  drawing from observation I 
>>also feel overwhelmed by the number of  ways I could make an impression or 
>>response to the subject.
>
>Let the line go.  Every drawing will have its own direction.  Try not  to 
>think so much, but feel the drawing.  Use your senses rather than  your 
>mind.  The stories about the drawing can come later, because  they are 
>there, no matter what.
>
>Also, there is not so much difference in the process--drawing from  
>life/drawing ideas, it is all about moving around the page, creating  
>space, creating some kind of reality.
>
>It is such a privilege to make drawings.  If you feel self doubt,  don't 
>worry, it is part of extending yourself.  You can play out, in  an abstract 
>way, life's experiences.  Overcoming fear, making  decisions, getting rid 
>of things you no longer need, etc., you can  play these out in drawing.
>
>>
>>I guess I am interested in drawings reflecting people's response to  a 
>>subject.
>
>I think that the subject comes as a secondary response, it is not the  part 
>of the drawing that you control.  Otherwise, the drawing can  come out 
>illustrative, too self conscious.  Take the line for a walk,  follow the 
>contour of your subject.
>
>
>>
>>At present I tend to work more on computer, altering and composing  
>>images, I am happy that the traditional process or medium has been  
>>removed from my grasp but don't get me wrong I am aware of  contraversies 
>>over the use of computers and also those who embrace  technology as 
>>enabling further the communication or the expressive  process and look to 
>>pursue it's development more radically.
>
>I don't think there is such a split between drawing on computer and  
>drawing traditionally.  Working on computer is maybe more direct,  because 
>it is easier to connect your mind to the process, without  battling the 
>physical world. Changes are faster.  Sometimes when I am  drawing with 
>pencil, I find myself wishing for UNDO.
>
>At the same time, scraping one material against another is just so  
>sensuous.  On a computer, I have the feeling always that the drawing  can 
>be better, so I compulsively make changes and there is no end.   It becomes 
>a live video of changes.
>
>Keep an open mind and don't listen to all that technology vs.  traditional. 
>  They should not be placed against each other, like  people used to do 
>with abstract vs realism.  A good drawing is a good  drawing.
>
>Enjoy your art college.
>
>Patty H
>
>
>>
>>What are your views?
>>
>>Responses greatly appreciated and contrasting views!
>>
>>Suziexx
>>
>>Camberwell College of Art, London.
>>
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>

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