From life training

Mischa Milosevic · 11-21-2007, 07:31 AM

Here are a few of nude renditions in charcoal. All measure in the proximity of 70cm x 45cm.

I do not do nudes any more and if I do it will be for study purposes ONLY.

Understanding how light defines form is a important study for artists. At the least the understanding of realistically representing color/value is a must and the study from life is a excellent teacher if one is guided by a good instructor.

Do not be swayed by a colorful picture, if the instructor is not able to produce a relatively good rendition from life that artist is laking.

I invite all comments and questions. I also invite personal questions, regarding art training, via PM or e-mail.

Mischa Milosevic · 11-22-2007, 01:03 PM

A line about study

It has been my pleasure, while at the academy, to meet individuals that had a love and a desire to learn but had no drawing or any art experience what so ever. It is a proven fact, much more than not, prier knowledge can be a hindrance.

When I arrived at the academy, I decided to set aside all my previous art knowledge and simply absorb what was being taught. My idea proved to be beneficial in many respects.

When drawing, almost anything, one can fudge here and there like where to place the branch on a tree. Not so when drawing people or even a animals. The arm, the leg, the eye etc must be in the correct position and in proportion to the overall figure. If it is not our mind will automatically pick up the signals that something is amiss.

That is what happens when we are drawing a person or a portrait and we sense that there is something wrong but we are not sure what. In order to figure out what is going we try to look at what we are working on with what we call a fresh eye. This is where the mirror comes in.

If you wish to learn, my advice is solicit a good teacher. In the long run it will save you time, time is money and heartache.

Cindy Procious · 11-23-2007, 08:59 AM

Mischa, you are a terrific drafstman. What beautiful drawings!

How long would you say you spent on each one?

Mischa Milosevic · 11-23-2007, 01:35 PM

Cindy, I am glad that you can appreciate these drawings, still, I am but a student striving for perfection. Please do not misunderstand, I consider perfection afar off but i believe it is attainable if my abcs' are in place.

When I first stared with the model drawings, believe you me, it was a struggle even painful at times. It took me quite a while to settle on the fact that my eyes do play tricks. My biggest problem was to learn to measure. For me, it was like learning how to walk again when you already think you know how.

Regarding your question: First, thank you for asking. Be glad to tell you but if I just answer with a number then many would not understand. I try my best to give each answer some clarity. If one is looking for a school and I say that the school is around the corner that would be true. If I say that when one turns the corner, the school will be or is two miles down the road than that is what one is to truly expect.

My first drawings in pencil took around 30 hrs and I did not even finish. There was much to learn/unlearn and to understand.

Now, I'm able to produce a drawing, like the ones you see here, within 25hrs. Someone would say that is a lot of hours to work on a drawing. My question would be, how much time does one take and how much would one charge for a drawing that took a hour or two to draw or paint?

Thank you again Cindy, I quite enjoy your work as well and I consider your work to be terrific!

Carlos Ygoa · 11-23-2007, 05:42 PM

Mischa,

Fantastic draftsmanship! These are very exquisite and sensitive drawings! I am sure it is very gratifying after 25 hours to have this result.

Alexandra Tyng · 11-24-2007, 12:36 AM

Mischa, thank you so much for posting these beautiful drawings! Every one of them is exquisite. The proportions, the roundness of the forms, and the textures are all sensitively observed and described.

Your comment--"When drawing, almost anything, one can fudge here and there like where to place the branch on a tree. Not so when drawing people or even animals."--is so important. I have found that the training of my eye to see the figure accurately is an ongoing training for landscape painting. I may choose to put the branch in a different place, or simplify something in a landscape, but I have much more control over the decision.

Mischa Milosevic · 11-24-2007, 06:19 PM

Carlos, thank you. I must tell you, you do some excellent work your self.

Alex, thank you for your thoughts and compliments. As you can probably tell art has a special place in my life. I can see the same in your art as well that is the joy that you receive from it. I notice this in the subjects you chose and how you wish to portray them. Even your land and city scapes tell of you love for art.

Jean Kelly · 11-26-2007, 06:47 PM

Hello Mischa,

I apologize for being so late to this thread, but things have been hectic here. These are beautiful drawings, sensitive and with flawless technique with charcoal. I especially like the woman, beautiful and graceful pose.

You are also very generous in your offer of quidance, thank you.

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 11-26-2007, 11:10 PM

These are gorgeous, Mischa. Thanks for posting them.

Mischa Milosevic · 11-28-2007, 10:24 AM

Jean, no apologies necessary, I know you have been busy with food and all and your own drawing. Still, thank you for taking the time to comment. I hope these have given you some idea what the possibilities are while working in charcoal.

There are many excellent draftsman today and some of their charcoals are a breath of fresh air. I think we must have that breath otherwise the terps mite cloud our mind.

Michele, thank you. Its nice of you to comment. Congrats on the new commissions!