Albrecht Durer Study

Gene Snyder · 10-28-2003, 11:15 AM

Hello All,

Here is an old master drawing that I've recently completed - one of many as I cope with a LONG commute to work. It's a copy of an Albrecht Durer drawing. Now I'm not one to make excuses, but I'll have to admit that this was copied from a horribly old photocopy while riding a train barrelling down the tracks at 80+ mph between Baltimore and Washington D.C. on my way to and from work... but enough with excuses.

The next one that is in the works is a copy of a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci of a "Man in Fanciful Armor" also done enroute between Baltimore and Washington. Stay tuned...

Steven Sweeney · 10-28-2003, 11:27 AM

Gene,

It certainly has the Durer "look", but in order to comment on it as a copy, we'll probably need to see the piece you worked from as well, even if it wasn't a good-quality image.

Gene Snyder · 10-28-2003, 12:50 PM

The photocopy is at home. I will scan and post it tomorrow.

Thanks Steven.

Gene Snyder · 10-29-2003, 11:15 AM

OK. Here is the photocopy. I have a looseleaf binder full of these old master drawings that I've scanned as I come across them to use for reference. They come in handy when studying anatomy or technique. Or, if I just want to doodle, I'll thumb through it and pick out a drawing to copy.

Thanks.

Gene Snyder · 10-29-2003, 11:18 AM

Well, before anyone jumps on it, I can point out something that is glaringly off. The hat is too flat!!!! Oops... I blame it on the train...

Steven Sweeney · 10-29-2003, 05:46 PM

Welcome back, Gene,

As I suggested earlier, this drawing has the

Linda Brandon · 10-29-2003, 10:30 PM

Hi Gene,

You're holding your drawing in your lap when you work, right?

Gene Snyder · 10-30-2003, 12:01 AM

Steve, your response is well illustrated and very clearly written. Thank you for taking the time to go through your critique as thoroughly as you did. You are correct about me starting the drawing on one side of the face and ending up on the other with small measurements along the way. After getting a general idea for the placement of the head on the page, I started with the eye sockets and the drawing went out from there. I worked entirely in pen without an underdrawing in pencil. I have to admit that this, like many drawings that I do in my sketchbook on the train, started out as a "doodle" and it just grew from that into a full page drawing. However, this is no excuse for not having correct proportions to start with. If I'm not going to do it right, why do it at all. I guess the use of a plumb line is in order for future drawings.

In answer to Linda's question, yes, I do hold my sketchbook in my lap while on the train. I think having the book at an odd angle like that can contribute to proportions become distorted. This did happen during this drawing in the width of the face. After holding the sketchbook upright is when I noticed that the face in my drawing looked wider than the model. Drawing in ink, I couldn't go back so I tried to compensate by pulling the rest of the drawing around this flaw. Holding the book at an angle on my lap made the face look thinner - an effect similar to the elongated skull in Hans Holbein the Younger's "The French Ambassadors" (posted below)

Again, Steve thank you for your comment's and thorough critique. I guess you could say I'm in "train"ing. HA!! Really, thank you.

Cheers,

Linda Brandon · 10-30-2003, 10:35 AM

Gene, a friend of mine draws with the paper flat on a desk in front of him and all of his drawings end up slanting to the right and with a consistent distortion. I think the drawings look fine to the artist when he's sitting down and the distortion becomes evident when you hold it vertically.

Maybe the solution is to put in some plumb lines and guide marks lightly in pencil before you get on the train.

I am impressed that you can draw like this - in ink! - without any underdrawing. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work. Have you tried those felt tip pens with a sharp point on one end and a soft, brush-like tip on the other? I used those when I drew a lot on trains several years ago.

Gene Snyder · 11-05-2003, 03:39 PM

Linda,

I've been holding the sketchbook up on my knee while on the train now and it's working out a little better. Before I was hunched over the drawing, which I don't like to do when drawing at a desk.

For the posted drawings, I was using a "Pigma Micron 05" pen made by Sakura. This pen gives me a slow line that I can control more and it responds to pressure - very nice for train drawing. I also use a "Uni-ball Vision" fine pen. Comparing the two, the Uni-ball is a very fast pen that can get away from you and lets out a lot of ink compared to the Micron. I've never tried the brush pen that you have mentioned, however I would like to give it a try. There is a Utrecht store two blocks from my work... I'm on my way!!

I've experimented drawing with all sorts of materials and ink - everything from broad brushes, wide caligraphy nibs, to sharpened sticks. There are few drawings posted in the gallery section of my website of these stick drawings if you're interested.

Thank you for your response and I'll post more drawings as I produce them.

Cheers,