H is for Handicraft

I am aware that I find drawing these faces very pleasant. Today I figured out one reason why.

Drawing the lines and patterns within the shapes of the face and head feels like embroidery- one of my first and favorite handicrafts.  

I have always loved the process - sort through my rainbow collection of embroidery floss, tighten the hoop around a piece of cloth (any kind will do), and free form flowers or patterns with my needle. No cross stitch for me.

I like to fill shapes with thick threads of color, groups of dense knots, and long curving lines. Long ago my hippy friends liked to sew my embroidered patches onto their jeans and vests and hats and jackets. Drawing these faces feels like that. 

Stitch by stitch, line by line, angle by angle by curve.