Exploring Line (hand drawing) week 7

I liked using my own hand as subject matter for drawing; it is easier for me to see if it looks like my own hand, because I am so used to seeing my hand everyday, so I can pick up on whether it is realistic or not.

My hand as the subject matter was interesting for me because I could control exactly the position I wanted it and held it for the exact amount of time I needed to, being able to go back to the same position I had it at before if I took a break. I felt in control using a part of my own body, especially since it was in clear view.

I chose to use pencil because I start out light, and slowly darken it where it is needed, whereas charcoal is a lot richer in value, and I would probably have to erase a lot more if I did made a mark I didn't like. I feel like I have more control using a pencil, for I make lighter, more sketchy marks.

I did not at all enjoy drawing with my non-dominant hand because it was uncomfortable since I wasn't used to using it at all. I enjoy making my drawings/paintings look as realistic as possible and I felt like using my non-dominant hand held me back from doing so. It took a lot more concentration and effort, and I got impatient frequently, almost giving up because of how ridiculous it looked. 

I much preferred working with my dominant hand because I feel like I have control over making my work look very realistic, when that control is gone, and I use something I am fairly foreign to, it frustrates me! It felt strange using my non-dominant hand, and I often had to erase my marks, and everything seemed out of proportion.

To me I think the drawing done my my dominant hand of my non-dominant hand is successful. I believe this because I am confident in it, it looks realistic, and I felt comfortable doing it. Because of the level of uncomfortableness and odd proportions and imperfections of the opposing drawing, I felt it was unsuccessful. This may be close-minded of me, but then again the reason why they feel successful or unsuccessful is because they are very personal to me. If I were looking at another artists work, I might have more tolerance and be more open-minded to whether or not I feel their work is successful.

Unless I was disabled in some way and couldn't use my dominant hand again, I will gladly stick to it for any art work I do. Using my dominant hand makes me feel like I have more control, and therefore will lead to successful works of art. It might be interesting to use this activity in the future for students, but for me as an artist, I don't think I'd like to complete a piece with my non-dominant hand. It would take much more time than a piece done by my dominant hand, I would get more impatient, and it definitely wouldn't look as "perfect".

Drawing of non-dominant hand (left) by dominant hand (right)

Drawing of dominant hand by non-dominant hand