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left hand sketching and taking breaks

I love to draw and tend to grip my pen tightly and press down firmly which is one of the reasons my wrist and hand tire quickly. I try to take breaks by doing collages or painting with sumi ink, watercolors, and acrylics. The last few days I've been working with sumi ink and revisiting a nude figure theme. As soon as I'm done I'll post images.

I also try working more with my non-dominant left hand. Below is the pen sketch I completed recently in my journal with my left hand. I was sitting at my desk and drew my reflection in the mirror.

left hand drawing
left-hand drawing


Another way I take breaks is by visiting my local library. I love going to the library and walking down the art and cookbook sections. By chance I came across Shelley Carson's book, "Your Creative Brain." She divides our brain's functioning into seven brainsets and explains how to tap into each one. The book also includes some quizzes and exercises which I've enjoyed and found rewarding to do..

3 things from my wallet
journal page, my wallet, transform brainset
 
The image above is the wallet exercise that I completed for the "transform" brainset. Shelley Carson writes that this brainset is a "state of conciousness in which your attention is occupied by thoughts relating to yourself and your feelings."

This exercise involves choosing 3 things from your wallet that represent you and journaling about them. I chose my art business card, my library card and a fortune from a fortune cookie. I keep my favorite fortunes from fortune cookies in my wallet. At that time I only had one fortune which says:
Being aware of your fears will improve your life.
What 3 items would you choose from your wallet?

Joining sunday sketches and wishing everyone a creative week.

Comments

Kristin said…
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE - and all with your left hand! Bravo! xo
Lynn Cohen said…
That self portrait sketch is amazing. I love the fluidity of the lines.

My wallet? I am trying to image what's in there without going to get it.

1. My AAA road service card, as we needed it yesterday when the battery in the car died while waiting for an open bridge to close leaving our lights on.

2. Money, as it gets me things I want and need.

3. hearing aid batteries, the better to hear you with my dear!

LOL

Thanks for fun on Sunday Sketching!
Tam Hess said…
I would choose, gum, license and nail clippers. I love your sketches..I was going to say use your left hand if you grip to tight but you figured it out! I draw with my ring finger. Strange! But it forces me to hold the pen loose. Happy SS xoxo
Christine said…
That's amazing what you can do with your left hand!
Morph Waffle said…
Great sketch, can't believe you did that with your non-dominant hand! I might have to check out that book! I love going to the library too!
Tracey FK said…
I like left hand drawing... and i love taping a pen to a long dowel and then drawing at a distance... that really loosens me up and makes me smile... three things in my wallet would be the tube of throat lozenges, tea bags and wallet... those three things are always in there...xx
WrightStuff said…
I would choose a picture of my son, my library card (it has pictures of roses on it) and a mysterious scrap of paper that has four numbers on that mean nothing to me....

Love the freedom of expression your non-dominant hand drew.
Serena Lewis said…
Drawing with the non-dominant hand is a great way to loosen up. Love the sketch and your journal page. The brain is amazing!
I haven't been to a library in a long, long time. Maybe because I spend alot of time at local bookstores? :) Anyways, super wonderful sketches.
Anonymous said…
Great sketch -and most especially with your nondominant hand! Hope your other hand starts "feeling better" soon. It's good you are giving it a rest.
can't believe you are able to do that with your nondominant hand! awesome. I love dreaming thru the library but haven't done it in a long time.
cheers, dana
Tracy said…
Wonderful exercises, Juana... and especially your left-hand drawing! I've tried drawing with my toes before, for fun... maybe if I practice it might become something. ;o) From my wallet I'd pick my library card, my own biz card too, and a photo of my niece in the USA, who I miss very much. Happy Week ((HUGS))
Debbie said…
great sketch with your left hand! I guess I would choose, my debit card, my Michael's coupons, and cash.

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