Question about where to keep your eyes when drawing

[PelleTM]

This might be the wrong forum. Anyhow, I have a question: when you draw something from life do you keep your eyes on the object you draw when you draw the actual lines, or do you concentrate on the paper when drawing?

[the_allejo05]

Pelle..concentrate and keep your eyes on the model at all times..less at your paper..there is a saying..it is more look than put.. In my own experience i tend to look more for the subject..as i have been getting quicker and more experience..im starting to watch more my paper((now i can store in my memory the things i see)..since the marks on it become more precise and careful..i think at the end is a give and take...but always concentrate on the model..

[Mengel]

for me;

look at model for 5 to 10 seconds or so of drawing on the paper, focusing on details.

then i take around 2 or 3 seconds to glance down and reaffirm that 10 second's accuracy in proportions to the rest of my work, maybe do quick corrective work. then i put my pencil down where i left and start the next drawing bit.

but for the most part, i'm all on the model because i get referrence models so rarely i make sure that i'm drawing them and not letting my imagination take over, turning a life drawing abstract asap.

[Elwell]

back and forth. constantly.

[mentler]

There is no answer to this question <> the drawing of course is far more important than the model so you need to look at it some >><< try to let the drawing evolve and not be a copy of the model.

[DavePalumbo]

yeah, when you're gathering info, you study the model. when you're drawing, you look at your paper. Pause often to look at both and check for errors.

there are two alternate methods that you can do, but really just as excercises in observation. The first in drawing blind, where you never look at your paper. This is almost certain to produce some hideous junk, but it's helpful in training your eye/hand. The second is memory drawing, where you stare at the model for the first few minutes of the pose to gether as much info as you can, then begin drawing and do not look back at the model until the pose ends. The second one is really most usefull once you've already got a handle on the human figure.

but generally, yeah, back and forth alot