April - Week 2

Written 14/04/2024

Sketches based on her work

So this month I actually did something a bit different, instead of copying the artworks she did to get a sense of her style, I decided to take a page out of her book and draw quick observations of my surroundings (hopefully without anyone noticing, these were done QUICKLY as I did feel a bit awkward). They aren't really in her 'artistic' style, but I thought that the principle was in her style.

Pencil sketch of a tree with two teen girls (back view) peering at the ground
I have no idea what these two teen girls were actually looking at XD
Pencil sketch of two girls swinging on a swing
This was a VERY rapid sketch as they were only swinging for about a minute at most before getting bored
Pencil sketch of two girls climbing a tree
This was in a wood, so there were a lot of tree branches - there were actually 5 kids there but I did this one very quickly as I didn't want them to notice me drawing
Pencil sketch of four women standing in park, blossoming trees blowing in the wind
It was VERY windy, which had captured the attention of these women, they were all chatting for a good while (giving me time to add a little more detail)
Pencil sketch two children doing cartwheels, a third standing on his scooter
This is slightly 'cheating' piece as the cartwheels happened AFTER the boy was on his scooter (but they happened in the same general area, ah the issues of being required to capture things 'in the moment')
Pencil sketch a large rock, surrounded by a large tree and a path (it is rendered somewhat insignifcant by its surroundings
This was much easier as there were no pesky moving people XD. The rock is a rather neglected memorial for anti fascists from Wales who went to Spain in 1936 in Cardiff (by the museum, and in a park with a much larger and well maintained war memorial), I think this drawing shows this neglect well with the overgrowing tree...
Pencil sketch woman in hoodie crouching over ground, her phone out taking photos of the blossom that have fallen to the gound
Due to the wind, there were a lot of petals on the floor - which this woman found VERY interesting and struck a very dynamic pose! I was thankfully able to get it down before she stood up again

This was a very fun process that I will try to do more of in general, as I had to focus on a core (be it feeling, shape or movement) and get it down quickly rather than dithering over details (no time!).
I'm not sure how much it really relates to Gwen John, as her observational pieces were done in 'slower' moments, like her cats sitting or when she was in a church service, but maybe this symbolises the much faster pace of life in 2025 compared to around a century ago?

Specific artwork I will be focusing on

Girl in Profile, 1918

Girl in Profile by Gwen John
This is actually a photo I took in the National Museum of Wales just yesterday!

Why this one?

I'll be honest, it just kind of struck me. There's a quiet dignity to the young woman, and the way that her shawl blends with her hair (and the background somewhat, but not too much). And I love the way that her scratching out a bow make it seem like a butterfly is interesting. I like the simple composition that make the sitter seem close yet aloof at the same time.

I haven't had time the last week to do a sketch based on this particular piece but I will be doing so next week before any other prep!