an investigation into drawing

My first aim is to draw the human figure in an open space (unimpeded by other objects) in an objective nature, to explore the relationships between the weight and weightlessness of my drawing marks when using charcoal, oil crayon, and gouache on supports such as paper and glass, juxtaposing strong and weak, light and dark, thin and thick marks and marks that are in focus and out of focus. During the process of mark making there is a further aim to explore the subjective nature of these marks and their supports, and to consider possible paradigms with metaphysical characteristics such as time and
memory. With this exploration, supported by research through way of looking at established artists and their methodologies, the intention is to understand how objective drawing and through this process can ignite the subjective nature of drawing and through these processes create a greater awareness and
understanding of the ambiguous, instinctive mark which in turn may support greater confidence and
inquiry in the possibilities of drawing and other forms of art making such as painting

Born in Sydney, 1962 Robert Shepherd lives and works in the inner  Sydney suburb of Glebe. He has, for the  majority of his working career  focused his artistic talents in the area of graphic design, and print  management, maintaining a freelance position and dealing directly with companies, Sydney based advertising agencies and design firms.

In contemporary Australian art there have been several important artists whose art is full of humour. As well as enjoying satire and wit, such artists make revealing comments about humankind and contemporary society. Here we have a strong group of works that are fun and that take the seriousness out of art. Painters include Vicki Varvaressos, Mike Brown and Colin Lanceley. They are joined by artists working in the third dimension such as John Armstrong, Tony Coleing, Aleksander Danko, Bob Jenyns and Lorraine Jenyns.