Drawing improves your golf game, I swear!
Well,
it could. I've always suspected it was true. Because some of my artists
friends are wizs at golf (miniature, that is). It's pretty much
official and I'll tell you how I know...
But
first - drawing from life is the most challenging, rewarding and
mesmerizing artistic endeavor imaginable. However, in my experience its
not always easy to find cooperative naked people.
What's an artist to do?
One
helpful (and safer!) solution is to go to the Met, or any great museum
with classical sculptures, and work from marble or bronze versions of
the human form. The bonus is observing the sculptor's skill in rendering
subtle expression and the suppleness of skin in
stone!!!!
 |
| drawing after Daniel Chester's sculpture, "Memory" Met Museum of Art, NY |
Sometimes I like to get up close and personal (well,
non-personal - they're sculptures) and focus on folds and details of
drapery. Love the folds! The center image below was especially
challenging! It features the gorgeous gathers of a Grecian garment! (say
that 3x fast)
 |
| drawings after portions of various sculptures at the Metropolitan Museum ©2008 Dorothy Lorenze |
Following
the twists and turns and ins and outs, as the fabric gathers and folds
and changes direction is like negotiating a labyrinth!
So
that brings me back to sports. Both art and athletics involve checking
direction, measuring distances and hand-eye coordination. And here's the
story that makes it official.
In college, non-art
majors occasionally decide that drawing nude models is not a bad way to
get some humanities credits. But it's pretty difficult if you haven't
done much drawing. There was a student once who happened to be more
athlete than artiste. In fact he was a star of the basketball team. But
he was also working diligently in our life drawing class.
After
a few weeks in the studio his drawing was getting better and the
instructor looked over his shoulder and asked. "How's basketball going?"
He was surprised by the question and answered, "Actually, really,
really well!" So the drawing teacher said, "I'm not surprised. You're
beginning to see better."
That was it. I'd never made
the connection with sports before but drawing is basically about
observing and measuring. It carries over to sports... hence the amazing
ability of artists to totally crush the competition at miniature golf.
It's legendary.
So if you need to improve your golf
game, (and from what I hear, who doesn't) get thee to a drawing class!
If you can find one with live models,
au naturale,... well that's just an awesome bonus!
You don't have to go back to college to take a class. Check out
"meet-ups"
online to find a life drawing group that meets in your area. The group
leader hires the model and artists register and pay a nominal fee to
attend. It's a wonderful way to hone your skills for fine art.
If it helps your golf game, all the better.
