Sabu
Sabu was lying in front of me, just like this, and gazing at me for a long time, before I suddenly realized I should draw him! I had to go to the studio to get my sketchbook and pencils, and I asked him very nicely to stay, because I wanted to draw him. He did stay, just like that, until I got resettled in my chair and was ready to start drawing... and then he left! So I drew this from memory. He is doing "The Famous Sabu Paw-Tuck", as we call it. I love the way his shoulders protrude forward. His name is pronounced "Sayboo", by the way...
Isn't that interesting - your line quality is so different when you are drawing from memory - perhaps because you are looking at the sheet projecting the image from your mind's eye instead of looking up and down? It makes for a neat, clean lined cat, fit for that children's book (except Sabu looks a little scary)!
ReplyDeleteRight on, Em! I hadn't noticed that difference in line and am glad you pointed it out. That is probably another way our art changes because of how we are making it. I can see the difference between my own plein air paintings and those that are studio-originated, and I'm trying to figure out what that difference is so I might get that fresh alla prima quality into my studio works...and maybe it isn't possible, either because of where one's eyes are looking (inward or outward) or where I am in relation to my canvas; out in the air or indoors in different, unrelated air. I think you've hit the nail on the head talking about projecting from one's mind's eye vs looking outward. Thanks for sharing that insight!
ReplyDeleteAnd Amy, this is a fine drawing of a slightly tense - or very focused - cat! I don't see him as scary, just very alert. Glad to know how to properly read/say his name.
Yes, there is never anything scary about sweet Sabu.
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