Bad Faery

Monday, September 01, 2008

Pencils at the ready!

“Do not fail to draw something every day, for no matter how little it is, it will do you the world of good.” Cennino Cennini

Or charcoal, or pens, or other drawing implement of your choice! For today is September 1st which means we are only a month away from The Big Draw 2008. If you’re not familiar with the Big Draw you should check out their website. Essentially it’s a month long campaign to get people drawing. It’s UK based which means there are no events locally that I can take part in but I’m not going to let a pesky little detail like that stop me! Last year, as some of my regular readers will remember, I took part by doing a drawing a day for the month of October and posting the results here on my blog and on my flickr account.

I’m going to attempt to do it again this year - given that I have my U211 exam and my new course starting in early October that might not be the best idea ever but I’m going to give it a go! Like last year I’m going to focus on drawing from life.

Hopefully like last year some of you will join in the drawing fun. Let me know and I’ll start a blog roll of participants. The more the merrier! And I don’t want to hear any of that ‘but I can’t draw’ nonsense! One of the aims of the Big Draw is to show that drawing is a life skill within everyone’s reach. And drawing also teaches you to really see the world. Sit down to draw an ordinary every day object like a flower and you’ll start to see details you’ve never noticed before. So even if what you end up with on paper looks nothing like the object you were trying to draw you will still have gained from the experience. So go on, give it a try! You might just surprise yourself!

Remember! Pencils at the ready for Wednesday 1 October!

UPDATE:

re: Flickr group pool - please see this post.

THE RULES

They’re really simple!
Draw something everyday for the month of October.
Share the results on your blog or the flickr group pool.
You don’t need to post your results every single day if you don’t have time, every few days is fine.

Finally, since I am taking the time to link to your site I would appreciate if you would provide a link back to my site too. Thank you and remember! have fun with it!!

Big Draw 2008 participants

Posted by Bad Faery on 09/01 at 08:01 PM
Posted in: Drawing and Illustration • The Big Draw •

Comments:

Oh this is scary to me. Funny how whenever I find something I really want to do that seems to stretch my ability I get scared.

I guess it’s not that funny. It’s normal.

The Big Draw. A drawing a day. Oooh, on top of all my other responsibilities? Can I do it? Well… it is the month before nanowrimo. If it were in November, I would say I couldn’t do it, but it’s not… so…

I’m in!

Yikes.

Posted by rowena on 09/02 at 03:54 PM

I did this last year! It actually led me to take a drawing/sketching class, and a painting class.
As a matter of fact, yesterday I came across one of the pictures I drew and thought, “Hey, it wasn’t so bad!” Maybe I’ll blog it and do it again this year. I remember it being fun.
(and I am one who says “I can’t draw”! )

Posted by Lynn on 09/03 at 03:24 AM

This sounds like a good idea - count me in too!

Posted by jess on 09/03 at 02:23 PM

I have just started to try and draw
~ i visited a really inspiring studio
in canon beach when i was away ~ and
just this fellow’s PENCILS (jars and jars and jars
of them) made me want to sketch:)

alas i have no talent

but YOU have such talent ~ i LOVE your work:)

i may consider this however ~ i just may...:)

Posted by maddie on 09/03 at 04:42 PM

Yes please!

I put a bit on my blog too.

Off to find my pencil sharpener.......

Posted by Elizabeth on 09/27 at 04:19 PM

OK I’d like to try again this yr. It was such fun last yr. Count me in.

Posted by suki on 09/27 at 08:24 PM

Hi Liz and Suki

Good to have you both on board again!

Posted by Bad Faery on 09/27 at 11:08 PM

I love the video...she makes it all seem so easy...yes...pencils ready!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Lynn on 09/28 at 06:42 AM

Ooo, ooo, ooo, please join me in!!! I’m so excited that I haven’t missed it!!!

I heard about it last year, but only at the end and I totally missed it.

I’m thinking maybe my subsconscious knew, because out of the blue I began drawing recently.

Posted by Rebecca on 09/30 at 12:00 AM

Hello Rebecca!

The more the merrier!

It’s very late here and I’m going to bed now but I will add you to the blog roll tomorrow first thing! And it’s lovely to have another new person join in!

Posted by Bad Faery on 09/30 at 12:12 AM

I need to get back to drawing so what a great way to do so. Please count me in.

Kate

Posted by Kate on 09/30 at 10:56 PM

Count me in!

Posted by Karen Smithey on 10/01 at 12:02 AM

Consider yourself counted, Karen!

Kate, it’s good to have you, I’ve been watching your 100 day challenge videos on youtube for a while now!

Posted by Bad Faery on 10/01 at 12:14 AM

I’d love to give this a try. Please count me in. Do I just post everyday?

Posted by Mim Stella on 10/01 at 02:26 AM

I’m signing up at 11:59 my time...did I make it? I’ve come by way of Rowena. I am also a bit terrified at the prospect of everyday, but I’d love to give it a go. I’ve been thinking of illustration a lot recently...this could be the daily exercise I need. Don’t think I can blog about it daily, but definitely upload to flickr...will there be a pool?

Posted by maya luna on 10/01 at 05:03 AM

Hi Mim
The challenge is to draw something every day, even if it’s only a five minute sketch of the coffee cup you drank from at breakfast.
I’m well aware that photographing/scanning then uploading and blogging about it can be time consuming, sometimes a lot more time consuming than the drawing itself.
This should be an enjoyable process so please don’t feel pressurised into posting ‘evidence’ every single day!

Posted by Bad Faery on 10/01 at 11:05 AM

I would love to do this too! I have been better at drawing more but this would be a great push. Am I still able to participate? Do I need to link up anywhere or register anywhere? I am a bit confused on how to do it...probably because I am rushing around at the moment. Have seen this before but just found you thru Rowena!

Posted by Karen Mowrey on 10/01 at 12:44 PM

Hi Karen

No, you’re not too late :)
There is nothing complicated about this challenge - all you have to do is draw something every day for the month of October.
I would appreciate a link back to my site, as reciprocal links are good web etiquette
Enjoy your daily draw!

Posted by Bad Faery on 10/01 at 12:52 PM

Aloha Rebecca,
Kate told us about your draw and I’d like to give it a try..I’ll post a link as soon as blogger cooperates..lol
Peace, Kai

Posted by kai on 10/01 at 01:10 PM

is it too late to join? i’d love to be a part.
i just heard about it today from mayamade.
-sarah

Posted by sarah on 10/01 at 03:38 PM

Hi I would love to take up the challenge:)

Posted by Fiona robertson on 10/01 at 03:47 PM

Is it too late to sign in for the big draw??

Posted by Liane on 10/01 at 04:59 PM

Hi Liane

Do you have a blog or flickr account I can link to so that others can see your Big Draw results?

Posted by Bad Faery on 10/01 at 05:02 PM

please add me! thanks!

and just put me in as Mary ;-)

Posted by Mary Richmond on 10/01 at 06:20 PM

yes, flickr is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/enhabiten/
thanks!

Posted by Liane on 10/01 at 06:48 PM

I’d love to join--with a mix of fear and giddiness!
Thanks!

Posted by Heather Crawford on 10/01 at 07:40 PM

I’m in the midst of a blog break but I need to do this. I need to get back to drawing so sign me up!

Posted by Janet on 10/01 at 10:22 PM

look at all this drawing energy...exciting!

Posted by lynn on 10/01 at 10:39 PM

Good grief! I’ve created a monster! But in a good way:)

Posted by Bad Faery on 10/01 at 11:06 PM

Please count me in also. I did one today.

is there a Flickr group to post to?

Posted by TeriC on 10/01 at 11:10 PM

How exciting! This is just the push I need. It is late tonight, but I will post and link to your blog in the morning. I’m geared up for an interesting month.
amanda

Posted by amanda on 10/02 at 04:36 AM

Am I too late??
Do I have to e mail my attempts everyday?
Love to have a go,
Jude

Posted by Jude on 10/02 at 09:34 AM

i ‘joined’ yesterday, but can’t see my comment here...so please add me to your list. great incentive to draw and draw and draw!

Posted by soulbrush on 10/02 at 09:50 AM

You sent me Soulbrush’s comment

Posted by Jude on 10/02 at 01:09 PM

Just found out about this from a pal of mine. Can we start late!
Cheers

Posted by Maddy on 10/05 at 11:48 PM

Get drawing, Maddy!!!

Posted by Bad Faery on 10/05 at 11:51 PM