Much of my work this year has been influenced by the DVD "Drawing The Figure With Fernando Freitas". Even though I never reach the level of details and realism taught in the DVD, I did place much of my focus on measuring and rendering form shadows and cast shadows. Looking back at my drawings for the year, my art work struggled to be tight and accurate. It's hard to say if I made any break through, but I do feel like I have explored more aspects of drawing and have several areas I want to work on.
In September, I attended the "Weekend with the Masters" in Colorado Springs and took an one day workshop with Susan Lyon. In the workshop she taught me to focus on the forms as defined by light and shadow. Recently, I've spent a lot of time studying her work on her web site: http://www.scottburdick.com/2009SusanLyon.htm
Her drawings in the style of chiaroscuro, are amazingly soft and beautiful. You will see some of that influence in my recent drawings, where the edges are becoming softer. It is a challenge for me to lose some of those lines, but I find it librating not feeling guilty about rubbing and blending. Most of all it makes me focus more on shapes, the effects of the lights and lost edges.
