i’m attending the mary ann moss school of sketching. i don’t recommend it. the instructors are drunks, the other students don’t listen, it’s in a bad part of town, and everyone talks too much.
while i was at school yesterday i cracked open my venice photos and decided to try drawing a building. you know. for practice.
i used my black fountain pen with water-soluble ink.
then someone suggested i draw the patio. i got a little carried away with my stabilo water soluble pens.
after lunch it was time for plant drawing. i settled in a chair slightly under the epiphylums which are all budding. i started drawing those ripe buds on the right, but didn’t plan well and went off the paper. so i added a separate drawing on the left. sort of a scaled down version. pencil, then watercolor, then pen over the top.
the other peeps at the MAMSOS are slobs. i attempted to capture some of their mess. i was very discouraged as there was so much to look at on the table, but i plodded onward.
i had some wine later while i was watching the news and decided to keep practicing. if nothing else, the MAMSOS insists on lots of practice. and it’s free so you know that’s another thing.
i sewed together this signature of pages the same size as my umbrian sketchbook so i could practice reigning in my desire to sketch off the page.
although i won’t be blogging from umbria i will certainly be sharing every page of my sketchbook when i get home. yes siree, i will!
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I just love the MAMSOS…quite inspiring. I may have to borrow from the curriculum.
The instructors are drunks and the students don’t listen. I love it!
There’s probably a long waiting list to get into this school 🙂 Am not looking forward to being Mary Ann Moss-less while you tool around Umbria, but do anticipate seeing your sketchbook pages on the blog when you return.
Loving your sketches, MAM!! Where do I submit my application for the MAMSOS? I’ve been practising!
http://cynfulcreationscanada.blogspot.ca/2013/03/hatching-and-sketching.html
The teachers may be tipsy, the students wayward, the art supplies feisty but ah! the nutrition breaks are simply grand.
But your sketching off the page is brilliant!
The MAMSOS sounds quite tempting, but maybe the school needs a slogan like “Walk In….Sketch Out!” or “Draw Like No One’s Watching”, you know, something catchy like that.
I obviously can’t speak for any of your other readers, but I for one am thrilled you’ve ditched your day job for awhile. Keep drawing. You’re good.
Ha! That made me laugh…:)
Thank you!!
Vicky
I’ve heard about MAMSOS over the years. It does have a reputation for the kind of students it attracts. You’re so lucky to be there. Be proud!
You are too funny! And I, for one, love your quirky drawings.
hum- the MAMSOS seems to be inspiring you. I wouldn’t count out those drunks just yet. I’ve been attending the Feline Academy for years now and we haven’t even gotten to pen and paper… we just keep practicing opening cans of cat food. They say it is a really good warm up for your fingers. Love your drawings. xo
….obviously, I want youR pens…..
Thanks for letting us be armchair sketchers as well as armchair travelers. I want you pens, but then again I want just about all art supplies I see!
Bold is indeed a perfect description. Drawing, like driving and other skills, is best learned by doing. So inspired and delighted with your journey. Your enthusiasm spreads beyond your pages. Which is why you are so loved by so many unmet.
On and on, Mary Ann!
I’m at the back of the class, waving my hand wildly, asking you to please lookit even tho I’ve not got much on my paper at all, mostly a lot of doodle bobs that indeed wander off the page in all directions, and asking you to kindly ignore the wine rings because I don’t always pay attention as to where I’m setting it down after taking a nice healthy slurp, heaven’s where are my manners????….anyhoo I’m liking this view a lot, I am also excited for you to go have another grand adventure in Umbria so I can tune in upon your return, pull up a chair and see those new journal pages. I also like how nothing is sacred far as all that sketching goes, now that is what I call ‘fun’ pulling out all the stops and just jumping in to the fray. At the moment I’m tracking one DD’s friends who happen to be in Florence and am enjoying her pics on facebook.
You are just having the time of your life, aren’t you? Oh, wait, no…..that comes when you leave. Or when you come back. Or maybe – right now! I love your sketching and your boldness. The building is actually quite cool. Do more…