I've been debating this for a couple weeks now, but this morning I decided I needed to put my paint brushes where my mouth is, or, maybe a better metaphor is I need to put some skin in the game. As per Salvador Dali's advice (in his excellent "Fifty Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship" book which was gifted to me by master painter Wolfgang, of this site), I've drawn the human figure starting with the big toe to good results. I've drawn images upside down and I've "Slumbered with a key" (given myself assignments before I go to sleep). I haven't drooled yet (Dali claims all great painters drool) and I haven't painted in the nude.
So, why wouldn't I paint in the nude?
Because it's embarrassing? Yes, but would I do it if it actually made me a better painter? Of course I would. So, here are my sketches from a few days ago, done fully clothed and right side-up and drawing the human figure from the torso outward (as I was taught by Burne Hogarth):
That led to this little study I whipped out this morning:
Daily Whipout, "World's Largest Buffalo 5 Miles"
This too was done fully clothed. But tomorrow I intend to post the same sketches and a study of the same subject, each done completely in the nude.
"If you understand your painting beforehand, you might as well not paint it."
—Salvador Dali
