Before Beads...

Nude 1

Before I found my "calling" and became a bead addict I used to be an "artist". I say used to be, as I rarely draw anymore.  Sometimes I get the urge and come up with something new...perhaps so my drawing hand doesn't rust up from lack of use. 

I specialise mostly in portraits but have always been a great fan of still life...especially nudes.  When I studied art at school we would go and draw naked folk. It was a novelty at the time...you're 16-18 years old in a class full of your friends and there's an old naked guy sitting in the middle of the class, humming to himself, without a care in the world, pretty funny to those juvenile eyes. Now I'm older and a lot more "sensible" (or so I like to believe), I'd kill for that opportunity again...

For me, the most interesting bodies to draw are the "imperfect" ones...perhaps some wrinkles or a pair of droopy boobs, someone who is overweight or has a big nose...something that little bit different...the things society perceive to be "flaws". 

Of course I have no access to naked people at the moment (my boyfriend outright refused to pose!), so I'm working from photographs. I promised myself to draw more this year and so my first "nude" was not so imperfect, starting off slowly...although backs are pretty hard to capture and I hate feet...hence the unfinished bit. 

Worked from a photograph by Amphisbaina @ DeviantArt. 

Pastel & Charcoal

You can see more of my drawings HERE.