Rodin’s stunning marble sculpture The Kiss is currently on view at the National Gallery, Edinburgh. It’s on a year long loan from Tate Britain. Last week I decided to pay homage to one of Rodin’s most famous works.
I find that one of the best ways to really appreciate art is to draw it so I embarked on a couple of charcoal studies in my moleskine sketchbook. I then did a small A6 watercolour study which I have since used in conjunction with the charcoal works to produce a larger studio painting in watercolour. This will be one of the paintings on view at my Spring Exhibition starting 13th April.
Almost two hours passed whilst I worked away in the gallery so I barely had time to have a quick glance at John Singer Sargent’s Lady Agnew before it was time to leave. You cannot undervalue the benefits of observational drawing in a gallery environment. Because you are surrounded by inspirational paintings and other works of art, you tend to raise your game.
I always try to visit a gallery with a sketchbook in hand. I like to spend a few moments drawing something to remind me of my visit. I’m currently re-writing this blog post (April 2022) and I’m reminded of a recent visit to Tate Liverpool. There was an exhibition there of paintings by Lucien Freud. I took some time to do some charcoal sketches of two of his self portraits. It had been quite a while since I’d been to a gallery because of lockdown so it was quite a thrill.
Next time you visit a gallery, why not take a sketchbook and do a drawing.