When I was growing up – way back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, there was a popular song and game called “The Limbo”. If you’re old, like me, you’ve probably played limbo — seeing how low you can go to get underneath a long bamboo pole while the music plays and onlookers watch and cheer.
Originally the “limbo” came from Trinidad and Tobago, and the pole was actually on fire! Quite a challenge. I’m glad we never played with fire!
Just in case you’re not familiar with limbo — the game, not the theological concept — you can see a quick physical education video here: Field Day Games Practice in PE. It looks like today’s PE coaches use “pool noodles” instead of bamboo. Same idea, of course.
Why am I talking about this? I’m mentioning it because the question always asked — in a very, very deep voice — was how low can you go?
I was asking myself a similar question today, wondering how slow I could go in my morning’s “shapes and forms” drawing practice: two white, wooden eggs positioned in front of a small, rectangular block.
This graphite drawing might not look like much to your eyes. To my eyes with my presently impaired vision, they look pretty good! They look at least better than the egg I drew yesterday.
Again, it’s a bit of “doing due diligence”. One reason a project like the “100 Day Challenge” is beneficial is because it’s very much about habits, establishing routines that work, learning day by day how to eliminate unproductive methods and reinforce good work habits. In that respect, I have learned so much already!
- It’s good to use drawing tools and templates
- Start with a harder-grade pencil for initial lines
- Use softer “B” pencils for shading
- Use an eraser to correct mistakes
And the tips and tricks I’m learning continue with increased awareness:
- These white wooden eggs aren’t really white
- Shading takes time and patience
While I still have a lot to work on, that second note above — shading takes time and patience – is where I’m at today. After getting my shapes onto the page, again dealing with the challenge of a foreshortened egg, I began my shading, and that’s when the Limbo song first came into my head.
Take a moment, listen, and enjoy!
As I sang to myself, I worked slowly and patiently to shade both eggs with a very, very light gray. I used a 2B pencil, practiced holding it far back near the back end of the pencil, and worked on using the side of the lead.
So, how slow could I go? Not quite slow enough yet, but I’m getting there. Day by day I’m understanding that I can’t rush through a drawing — or even a drawing exercise — and expect good results with shading and blending. Those techniques take time.
Singing the “Limbo Rock” while I worked was a fun way to help me focus on what I was doing, and no doubt each morning now, I’ll be singing this little song, and asking over and over, “How SLOW can I go?”
Artistcoveries 
Thanks so much for sharing your process! The 100 Day Challenge sounds like such a great way to improve your skills. Your eggs are looking good, and I admire your patience in being able to draw the same thing day after day. I wish I was that disciplined! And for the record, I too remember playing limbo when I was *much* younger. If I tried it now, I might not get back up ha ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. We played limbo at school and also at the skating rink. I was very little, so it was easy for me. I wouldn’t want to try it now! Yes, the 100-Day project is a great way to build discipline and create habits. I’m far behind, but under the circumstances I doing the best I can. I’ve decided it’s all right to work at my own pace right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We also played limbo at school P.E. class once in the ’90s. I came in second. I was still short and quite flexible back then. The winner was a girl who did gymnastics and was even more flexible than I was. A funny memory!
LikeLike
I was in gymnastics too.
LikeLike