pencil drawing Archives - Dora Sislian Themelis Art

With the excitement of the spring holidays dying down I was finally able to get back to reading some of the latest resistance beating books for artists. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp is an easy read, if only I could sit and read it.

Still in the second chapter and I think I understand the ideas she’s trying to convey. Trying to make art-making a habit by finding the right switch to flip is a valid point. Some artists’ brains click on with certain actions or stimuli. Blasting rock music, lighting a candle, cleaning the studio might do the trick for some. I have yet to figure out what mine is.

Tharp suggests avoiding certain things as part of the creative ritual. Things like not multitasking, watching movies, adding up numbers (Right brain/left brain?), and playing background music. I guess these can be distractions to creativity. There are things that could keep me from painting for sure. I am easily distracted by a great number of things.

Living without some kind of distraction though is too monastic. I like a good distraction now and then. But keeping a comfortable environment helps. Clean, with loved items, surrounded by comfortable colors helps to keep my brain in my head.

Being prepared is the big one for me, and it seems, for most artists. That’s where the question came in: Where is your pencil? Better yet: What is your pencil?

What is your tool to keep creating? Figure that out and don’t be caught without it! Tharp relays a story of someone who, as a kid, wanted a famous person’s signature, but when asked for his pencil, didn’t have one. No tickey, no shirtey! After that this guy was never without a pencil. You just never know when you will need one.

“Pick your pencil and never leave home without it” says Tharp. Be prepared! Make something be a part of the ritual to create, whether it is a pencil and pad in my purse, or a camera in your pocket.

Ideas fly by my brain so much of the time. If and when I get a good one, and I’m not prepared- it’s bye bye. While I was waiting in the doctor’s office I whipped out my rapidograph and sketchpad to doodle my shoe.

I knew where my pencil was.

Teacher ©Dora Sislian Themelis

When my sons were younger they had the opportunity to attend a class to learn to play an ethnic drum called the doumbek. The doumbek has origins in Greece and the Middle Eastern world. My oldest was, and still is, very musical and plays a variety of traditional Greek instruments.

This drum was the first instrument he showed an interest in as my Armenian father owned one. He’d let my son play and he was pretty good at it for a kid. The younger son is also musical, but he just liked to fool around, not serious about it at all. They both have that creative gene, right-brain thing, though.

Teacher in Color
©Dora Sislian Themelis

Since they were kids, I had to drive them to the class, which was almost thirty minutes from our house. Well, I decided that if I’m driving, I’m taking drawing tools with me. No sense having all that action and not get it on paper. Unfortunately, the first time I drove my kids to the lesson I forgot my sketchbook and pencils. I found a lined notebook paper, grabbed a pen and just started doodling. I could kick myself because the doodle I drew of one of the students came out great and she wanted it for herself!

The next week I came prepared. I brought my sketchbook, pencils, and some Nu-Pastels. It was a very exciting drawing adventure. There was music, action, and the students were of different ages and personas. Drawing moving people isn’t easy. I had to decide the general direction of the pose and work from there.

Hands and bodies kept moving, heads were bobbing, feet tapping to the beats, stopping and starting. Nothing like the short poses in life drawing class with a model who stands still for a few minutes and then changes the pose. This movement was non-stop. But it was great to be caught up in the moment with the drum beats blasting. Very energetic.

The teacher, the students and some observers were my models each week. While the others had their doumbek lesson, I was having my own lesson in observing and drawing the moving figure. It was a great time.

Category: pencil drawing

What is Your Pencil?

Drums and Drawing