Last night it was my first time participating at Bard Graduate Center's evening of sketching and music. Bard Center is housed in a grand 6 story townhouse on the UWS of Manhattan, so the ambience itself is inspirational. The Emperor Vanity, a fantastic costumed character would be one of the models to draw. He appeared in a glorious outfit and his attire drew me in. I was captured by the blocks of color his outfit revealed.
It occurred to me to capture this imagery utilizing only the color portrayed by his outfit. That means eliminating the usual outlines used to depict the shape and thus, relying solely upon a color block method of rendering.
In all my time drawing this form of abandon NEVER occurred to me. It kinda frightened me, not outlining the subject then coloring it in, the predictable method. But once I allowed and trusted and gave into the freedom and focus of color only, it was exhilarating. There revealed was the ability to compose, I guess the same way as an artists creates, through color and form. Without to much analyzing and embracing abandon. It was this designer's version of thrill seeking.....on the 3rd floor of a beautiful mansion. Ha!