Drawing Projects - Jeanette Barnes

I've been looking at a new book that arrived in the library where I work.   It's called 'Drawing projects : an exploration of the language of drawing,'  A number of artists profiles are interspersed between the projects that form a drawing course developed by the authors.  One of these profiles is about an English artist; Jeanette Barnes.

I like her style: big charcoal and conte drawings full of movement with lots of erasure and remarking.  Some drawings end up looking like early photographs of street scenes, where there's blurred movement with the hint of the shape of cars and people as they move more quickly through space than the camera can capture on film with any clarity.

Eros - Piccadilly Circus Jeanette Barnes http://www.jeanettebarnesart.com

In writing about her practice, Barnes also provides the following thoughts;

"My advice to anyone starting out would be to have a go and do not think that you cannot draw.  If your drawing does not instantaneously turn out the way you want it to - or is unlike other people's work.  Drawing should always be a personal response.  The more drawing you do, the more confident you will become.  Experiment with different materials - onte type might be more successful than another.   Take creative risks.
Do not be afraid to dismiss your first idea and get rid of the notion that everything has to be right first time.  Trial and error can help you grow as an artist."

                               (Barnes in Maslen & Southern 2011, p.150)

 This is something I need constant reminding of as I start drawing and painting again and is something J has been trying to tell me for a long time. 

Booking Hall - Canary Wharf Jeanette Barnes http://www.jeanettebarnesart.com

Maslen, M & Southern, J 2011, Drawing projects: an exploration of the language of drawing, Back Dog Publishing, London ISBN 9781907317255