“Even a pancake has gesture. There is a gesture in the way a newspaper lies on the table or the way a curtain hangs.” Kimon Nicolaides

I’ve always admired those who could finesse delicate lines, controlled and concise with ease and grace. I am not one of those people, but I do subscribe to the idea that anyone can learn to draw. After all, drawing was a required school subject before cameras came around, and if kids from the 1800’s could learn to draw, so can we! Even if I never manage to draw an elegant line, I already know that looking for gesture helps me take better photos. What makes an image come alive? A line that pulls you in… the weight of a shadow, a suggestion of movement – that’s gesture!

Tristan and I are both wanting to work gesture drawing exercises in a bit more often, and there’s no more sure-fire way to get motivated than to ask others to join in. So…will you join us? Gesture drawing is meant to be a quick exercise, broad, loose, imperfect studies are the goal. What’s important is attempting to capture the essence of your subject: the movement, the weight, the energy. If you are brave and post your results on Instagram, feel free to tag us so we can take a look! #besottedblog

(ask yourself) “what is the subject doing?” Nathan Goldstein

Don’t know what to choose for your subject? You could take a page from Cy Twombly and attempt to capture the energy of the artist (that’s you!)  with an abstract approach!

A very special thank you to my brilliantly talented friend (and drawing teacher), Mary. She had this to say regarding the books she chose for you in the resources below:

“I have a great affection for The Natural Way to Draw by Kimon Nicolaides. Sections 1 (Contour and Gesture), and 2 (The Comprehension of Gesture) are good introductions. The Art of Responsive Drawing by Nathan Goldstein I like too. The first chapter is Gestural Expression (which refers to Nicolaides).”

painting by Cy Twombly 

//RESOURCES//

The Natural Way to Draw

The Art of Responsive Drawing

Drawing paper sketchpad

Newsprint sketchpad (lots of room, inexpensive for guilt-free sketching).

Graphite pencil set