One-Liners

I am sure that a lot of people have clocked the one-liners that have been posted recently on the gallery and also on the POL Facebook page. I am also sure that there must be quite a few people wondering if some of us have taken leave of our senses and threatened our artistic street cred by producing these wobbly and very free drawings instead of doing our 'normal' work. Well, what started out as a fun pre-Christmas challenge (draw a self-portrait in one continuous line and without looking down at the paper) has turned into something else. Those of us who have had a go quickly realised that we probably have been spending far too much time looking down at our paper while doing a drawing rather than spending the majority of the time looking at the subject. Looking down while drawing seems to produce a very controlled and often very accurate drawing, but one which often lacks a sense of energy and dynamism. The consensus of opinion of those who have tried this different way of drawing is that by not looking down, or keeping quick glances at the paper to an absolute minimum, has made us draw what we' see', rather than what we 'know' and the lines produced have had a much more spontaneous and immediate feel. A few who have tried the one-liners say they have found it an addictive way to draw as the pressure to produce something accurate and precise is removed (because you can't do it) and the whole process becomes so much more enjoyable. It isn't for everyone, of course, but I would urge anyone who hasn't yet had a go to pick up a pen and just go for it. You could really surprise yourself, as quite a few of us have done over the past week or so. It would also be a jolly run up to Christmas to see more of these spontaneous and often amusing drawings on the gallery.