How do you see something and feel it with your hands?

Drawing - What is it?

Partial Figure - The approach in this figure study captures the form and volume of the subject without a focus upon scientific anatomy.

What is the purpose of drawing. A concentrated visual focus over time leads to improved spacial perception and more natural understanding of form. Short-cuts to visual study creates stiff lines and shallow space.

A Master Teacher’s Approach

Other art works originate from the same approach to drawing.

“Even when I would model something I would try to give it the feeling that whatever I had underneath was held down by the skin. Always the outside holding the inside in. And I think this is primarily what I still do all the time. I try to get as much force coming out and I try to hold it back with a skin.” - Peter Agostini, American Modernist Sculptor, Watercolorist, Printmaker

Peter Agostini seldom spoke while teaching me to draw. He was a strong verbalizer who recognized the shortcomings of words. Rather, he would sit down and draw and say things like “you see” as I watched. The movement of the drawing instrument in his hands drew my eyes around the form. You would see the skin emerge which would “hold back the form” as he might describe it.

Back of Human Figure - This drawing was made while studying with Peter Agostini. I recall how difficult it was to resist trying to draw an outline.