Bone Room Study

Past students of mine will remember the trips to the Bone Room(s) at the University of Guelph. It's probably no more than a few kilometers from my house and yet I just don't access it enough given the wealth of knowledge those bones can provide. The picture above is a small study of the hind legs of a young lion. I am forever amazed at the similarity most creatures have to each other; us included. I can wait to take my current class there this May or June. Possibly I may offer a summer course of drawing there if I can work out details.

We all gotta start somewhere

Hell, why not? This is my leopard from grade 5. I lived for drawing and it got me trouble at school all the time.

Thinking of the zoo lately and reminded me of the visits of Qadesh to life drawing classes at Sheridan and Seneca. For those who didn't know her, Qadesh was a magnificent Siberian tiger who would come once a year for a day of drawing. I have to admit that inside I always was a bit afraid of bloody mayhem breaking out, but in retrospect I think driving the 401 is more dangerous.

Sadly Qadesh died a few years ago and I doubt there will be another like her. The relationship between her and her keeper Bill Fraser was truly unique . I think everyone who experienced those classes would agree.

Tenderness at the Zoo

Looking for something today I came across this study of a mother and baby from the Toronto Zoo. I guess I could have posted for mother's day in a few weeks, but just thinking of the tenderness between the two of them, made me want to pop it up now.

I'd like to organize a zoo day of all the Sheridan and Seneca students I've know...maybe use it to raise a drawing prize fund. Anyone reading this and interested, email me.

Toronto Consort

Went the other night to hear The Toronto Consort, an ensemble that plays medieval and early rennaisance music. On Friday it was the music of St. Marks in Venice....Monteverdi being one. It was beautiful, but unfortunately either I am getting hard of hearing or we were too far away to really enjoy the nuances.

Much of the time I sat with eyes closed and imagined myself back in Venice, in St Mark's Square listing to the music as were it coming out through the doors of the basilica to where I was standing. It actually was quite the sensation...I wanted to open my eyes and really find myself there.

Regretably it was not to be so, but while my eyes were open, I took the opportunity to do some quick sketches of the musicians and singers. The lute players were quite interesting and this is one of them...someone I am told regularly plays in Tafelmusik.

If in Toronto and either venue is playing, I encourage you to go, listen and sketch.

http://www.torontoconsort.org/ http://www.tafelmusik.org/about/orchestra.htm

Debbie

The other day after classes at Seneca I returned to the studio and found everyone busy in extra life drawing Debbie. She's one of our favorite models, both for her sinuous beauty and her ability to cut wonderful poses. Regrettably I had no time to stay and draw. Thinking back to that evening, I've posted this pen study from a class a few years back that I've always liked for its simplicity. It's not exceptional by any means, but never the less I have always liked it.