Tango Sketchbook - charcoal figure drawing

Here's a look at one of my sketches of tango dancers. When I have a chance to watch dancers, they stay in my mind for a long, long time and then I can work out the poses I saw. Sometimes I even take the pose myself - not something you'd want to witness - so I can get the feel of it, which is really important in figure drawing. Actually, many years ago, I did some tango dancing - took lessons, etc., but I'm not a tango dancer by any stretch of the imagination. I could tell from the first step, though, that this dance was one I would always love. I have many of these little drawings and will post them. This one is on 11 x 14" Strathmore drawing paper and it's done with vine charcoal.

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Afternoon Stroll - original oil figure painting

Taking a little break from the tango paintings (although I have two on my easel) I decided to just observe what else is going on.

This young couple was unhurried in their stroll down the sidewalk. They came from the matinee that had just ended. Maybe they were discussing the movie or where to stop in for dinner.

This painting is 7 x 5" on Gessobord. Thanks for visiting my blog! SOLD

Liza, Leaning - charcoal drawing of a nude

I didn't have much to post today, except this nude drawing of a lovely model named Liza. I spent most of the allotted time on her face. It's 14 x 11" on Strathmore 400 drawing paper. Hope you like it.

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Thai Food - original oil painting

My all-time favorite food - Thai or Vietnamese. This 6 x 6" oil painting on Gessobord was done from a tiny sketch I did at a Thai restaurant that I used to frequent. It's closed now, so I'm looking for another good one. I'm desperate for some massaman curry!

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Pardners - original oil painting

I love the way cowboy, horse and dogs work as a team. Reminds me of the Dan Seals recording of 'God Must Be a Cowboy'. Well, the dogs aren't mentioned in the song, but I like them to be along, anyway.

It's 8 x 10" on Gessobord. Thanks for looking!SOLD

Tango Promise - original oil figure painting

Another one of my tango paintings, this one is 6 x 6" on Gessobord. Thanks for looking. SOLD

Explaining Art - original oil figure painting

I was in a museum the other day and observed a docent as she was leading a tour for a group of art lovers. Not being one of the group, I didn't want to intrude, but just couldn't resist hanging around for a few minutes to listen to her fascinating lecture. I sat on one of the benches just long enough to do a little sketch. This 7 x 5" painting is based on that drawing. SOLD

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Jivedoodles - charcoal gesture drawings

This was a fun exercise in quick drawing - the kind that uses memory, because of course, these figures were moving really fast. I love gestures and think that if you get the gesture, you're successful, even if you don't "finish" the piece. It's worth practicing to get drawings done very quickly. I don't think I'm even thinking when I do this, but instead, just reacting to what I see. Try it - it's fun! SOLD

These little figures were done on Strathmore 18 x 24" paper with vine charcoal. Thanks for visiting my blog!

Tango Spice II - original oil figure painting

This painting is 7 x 5" and is on Gessobord. Thanks for stopping by! SOLD

Apres Tango - original oil figure painting

Tango is not just a dance, but a passionate embrace set to music. As much tango as I've watched, I'm still a bit surprised when the dancing couple simply parts and walks back to his and her respective chairs, as if they had merely passed each other on the street. As you can see, this couple isn't just parting and walking back to separate corners. This painting is 6 x 6" on Gessobord.

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Claire in an Orange Bikini - figure in oil pastel

This is kind of a raw painting, but I'm happiest when I leave my artwork in a fairly unfinished state. There's something so satisfying to me about not "finishing" my drawings and paintings. When I completely cover the canvas or board, I don't feel that I've revealed the underpinning of my work - the drawing - or my impressions of the subject. I always love to see drawing in any artist's work. Any time I am lucky enough to see an exhibit by a master painter, I always find myself in front of their drawings or prints.

I didn't spend the entire time allotted to this pose, which can be tough to do, and maybe I could have put in more detail here and there, but I decided to leave it alone.

It's 8 x 8", oil on Gessobord. Thanks for stopping by!

Lucy II - charcoal portrait drawing

I am thrilled that I actually did get a chance to finish the drawing of Lucy (see posting of 2/28). SOLD