While I sit here occasionally sipping my Red Truck Red Wine I am about to confess
something that you may find a bit gross. I myself find it mildly disgusting. If you get
squeamish and are sensitive you might want to refrain from reading the rest of this post.
So here it is...Last week I drew dead things.
It all started when I found the cutest baby mouse on my driveway. One of the cats
must have just gotten to it. The poor thing was a bit damp, but the ears were so large and
the feet so vulnerable that I just couldn't let it be. I picked it up and brought it into my
studio and laid it upon a tissue. I went and washed my hands carefully, and grabbed
some rubber gloves.
Something called me to draw this mouse. Why should his or her sweet life be wasted?
So as I drew this precious creature acquired a personality. I believe his name is Rosco.
He was a busy guy. He worked on the hillside for his dad, gathering seeds...until he met
upon an untimely death by the likes of Monkey or Naya.
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| I drew the bottom mouse first, the top mouse second and the laying down pose last. Amazing improvement huh? |
What a surprise it was to see a little grey brown short tail mole on the sidewalk the next day.
Perhaps the killer thought it would please me to find another.
Sadly it did.
The thing is, when you draw from life animals move too much. It is really hard to
capture the essence of the subject so quickly.
I remembered reading about a museum that keeps
preserved species of birds for scientists and artist to study and draw
(a branch of the Natural History Museum in Cincinnati, OH). This interested me.
Being able to study the mouse and mole so closely was amazing, if but a bit creepy.
I grew up in the country and my father and brothers were hunters and trappers, so
I have seen much worse. It only really bothered me when I took a lunch break
and came back to it. Ewww! I'm not sure if I will ever do this again,
but that museum is sort of calling my name...
I better get a heavy duty mask and gloves!
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| Practice definitely does make perfect, as I drew each got better. Notice the numbers first to fourth. He was actually sort of pose able, as you can see in sketch number 3. Mr. Knuckles is not at all like his name. He is rather generous, inviting other ground dwellers into his abode for ice tea and scones. |
The guilty party/ies??? Monkey Man is a bit older, although he does look a bit evil, doesn't he?
Here is Naya, training for the hunt.
Not the sharpest tack in the box but extremely cute and a skilled huntress.
P.S. If you want to try to draw a dead thing but it makes you ill, maybe start
with a beetle or bug. They can be found near outdoor lights.
Also, I am going to have a busy summer vacation so my postings may be
sporadic, please bear with me. I will be back to posting on Saturdays in September.
I'll give a shout out on Twitter and Facebook when I do post.
Have a safe and fun-filled summer!!!
