Today I decided to continue my attempts to explore different approaches to drawing. For a long time I have admired the bark of the large birch tree growing in our garden, and decided I would draw that, with its wonderful texture. So, after lunch I moved the garden table and a chair into position and collected my materials.
The first attempt didn’t last long. The weather forecast today was for very changeable weather, and it certainly was that. Within fifteen minutes I was sent scurrying into the house. The shower passed fairly soon, however, and after another half an hour I ventured out again. This time the weather stayed fine, but before long I began to realise just how cold it was …. despite my wearing a hat and a mountain coat! I’m not sure for how long I stuck it out, but when both of my thumbs became numb with cold I decided that I would quit. In fact, I was so cold that I got into bed in order to warm up.
Despite the ordeal I’m quite pleased with the result, and also with the diversity of ways of going about drawing with which I am becoming acquainted. In fact, in August the Unit 9 Group to which I belong will be putting on an exhibition for the first time in months. The title will be Recent Work, and I will be putting in a selection of my drawing experiments. It should certainly be interesting to see what my colleagues have been getting up to since March, when we last were able to meet.