Diagnosing with Drawing???

Drawing and re-drawing in the Czech Republic

In 2008, while on a cruise from Prague to Berlin, I chanced upon this intriguing vista in one of the many stops along the route. I liked the way the buildings stacked up and the varied rooftoops, etc. I found a nice niche and settled down to enjoy drawing. But something was wrong...try as I may, I was not accurate in perspective. If you look closely, you can see the initial line in a lighter value beneath the darker lines. And it still isn't right. I can draw and usually drawing is solace, relaxing and pure joy for me...my confidence was a bit shaken. I slunk off to do another drawing with an easier subject but was disappointed with the day. The next morning I could feel myself begin to succumb to the malaise onboard. My throat was getting sore and I could tell I had a nasty cold on the way. It explained why I'd struggled the day before.

Pillow, Teapot and Zicam

I really only had two choices in Berlin. I could push through my cold and get to visit this fascinating city and get some drawings or I could tuck myself in bed and have a chance to send it packing. Since I was to meet my husband in London just after this workshop, I chose to be good and stay warm and quiet. This drawing is in my small Moleskin accordian sketchbook where I did one drawing each day. When you open up the pages it gives a nice overview of where I was and what I was doing. This is the saddest page in the whole sketchbook!

Crooked Tower

Above is my attempt to get a drawing the day after I stayed in bed. The comment is: "After a day in bed, I venture out and do a crooked drawing." It's a better attempt that that poor one at the beginning of this post though.

The experience taught me something. Perhaps drawing is an early warning system for me when I'm about to be pounced upon by a germ. I'm going to pay attention to my skill level. This is a good impetus to draw everyday!

May you stay well and draw straight!