Dear Sketchbookers,
Let’s start this year strong and let’s tackle all of our fears. We can start with one of the scariest and more dreadful things to draw: HANDS! If you are like me and you are always trying to find ways to hide the hands, or going fast while drawing them (cause at least that weird-looking hand is on purpose), this is the right month to start! Everything will be a bit easier afterwards ;) Or in the case that you are one of these rare cases in which you enjoy drawing hands, then take it as a signal that this will be your month to shine!
I made a monthly plan for you (and me too) to study hands. But before I dive in, I want to tell you about an audiobook I have been listening to while I was on my reflective weeks, it’s called “Thinking, fast and slow” by Daniel Kahneman. It provides insights into cognitive processes and decision-making. I believe this is a great book that we can incorporate into our art practice. In general, it talks about the two systems that drive the way humans think. He says there are two modes of thinking and calls them System 1 and System 2.
System 1 is Intuitive and Automatic
Characteristics: Fast, automatic, unconscious, and intuitive.
Function: System 1 is responsible for quick and effortless mental processes. It operates on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, making rapid judgments and decisions based on intuition and past experiences.
Examples: Recognizing faces, reading words on a billboard, and driving on a familiar route without much conscious thought.
System 2 is Analytical and Deliberate
Characteristics: Slow, deliberate, conscious, and analytical.
Function: System 2 engages in more effortful and controlled thinking. It involves conscious reasoning, critical analysis, and logical decision-making.
Examples: Solving a challenging math problem, learning a new skill, and carefully considering options when making a significant decision.
This book emphasizes that human thinking is not a single, but a unified process that involves the interplay of two distinct systems. Here, in The Sketchbook Games, we can put it into practice while studying hands. I made a plan for the first 2 weeks, in which we will incorporate each system. But there is a trick: you can start with system 1 or with system 2, and that depends on you. Here is the plan for these first 2 weeks:
Using System 1: Quick Gestures and Observations.
Day 1-2: Gesture Warm-up
Spend these days doing quick gesture drawings of hands in various poses. Keep it loose and focus on capturing the overall movement.
Day 3-4: Real-Life Observation
Observe hands in everyday situations. Whether it's at a café, park, or home, sketch people's hands in action. Emphasize speed over detail.
Day 5-7: Quick Hand Studies
Choose a specific hand pose each day and do quick studies. Use references or your own hands, aiming for speed and fluidity.
Using System 2: Analytical Exploration
Day 1-2: Basic Anatomy Deep Dive
Begin with a thorough study of hand anatomy.
Day 3-4: Proportions and Structure
Analyze the proportions and structure of the hand. Use constructive drawing techniques to break down the hand into basic shapes. Focus on precision and accuracy.
Day 5-7: Constructive Drawing Practice
Dedicate these days to applying what you've learned. Create detailed drawings of hands, paying attention to proportion, structure, and anatomical features.
I chose to start with System 2. I first need to grasp the anatomy of something before I dive into the gesture and movement- this is where my geek self comes in.
I will set up a thread if want to talk about your hand-drawing adventure, your exercises, and your struggles. And I will post my first studies from the Loomis book.
Ready to dive into the hands-on challenge this month? Drop me a message if you're on board, or share what's holding you back from kicking off your hand-drawing journey!
I am preparing a handful (pun intended!) of pics for next week from The Michelangelo and Beyond exhibition at the ALBERTINA and other artists, here is a taster:
Remember that any drawing you do will help you in the future. I sweat every time I have to draw something that has complicated hand poses, so I am helping my future self to get more relaxed.
Resources for each system
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