Haptic Experience
Jac Saorsa, my tutor suggested that I try Haptic drawing, drawing whilst feeling the object I am drawing. Strange, I thought, as I sat with a femur bone in my right hand and stick of charcoal in my left. I had no idea how useful this would be until I tried it.
Prior to doing this I would look at an object in a two-dimensional way and allow sight alone to translate the tonal changes onto paper, with only partial understanding of the reason for the shadows. It is touch that has given me a greater three-dimensional understanding of these bones and a considerable improvement in the rendering of my, albeit unfinished, painting.
I had never considered haptic drawing, it has made me think about the importance of getting to know your object/subject using all the senses to inform and I am not just talking about painting!
Whilst writing this blog I felt a pressure on my right foot and found Stanley had stopped for a rest on my slipper. He has a thing about feet, so much so that he has accidentally been kicked at which point he retracts into his shell as he glides like a hockey puck across the studio floor. That’s why I wear slippers, just in case!
