On My Easel - Her Sketchbook - original charcoal portrait drawing in progress

She really seems pleased with her artwork and I'm looking forward to working on this some more and getting it finished - much to do, though, to get to that point.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of Kristi - original oil pastel portrait sketch

This sketch was done from a sketch from life - so, a sketch from a sketch, I guess.  My joy in doing this was that I used carton paper (about 12 x 9") from Judson's Guerilla Painter - so wonderful and so like that used by the impressionists.  I have always loved that look - as if it were done on cardboard, but I could never find anything like they used, without actually having to resort to cardboard.  Which I would love to do, but I know it's a no-no. 
Check out my oil pastel blog to see my latest flamenco dancer.  I usually like to post oil paintings or drawings on Hackberry Street Studio and use most of my oil pastels for my oil pastel blog, but
I am currently going crazy trying to get some oil paintings finished and some of them just won't cooperate.  Oh well.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Bow in Her Hair - original graphite pencil portrait drawing

This drawing began from life, but, alas, what young person wants to sit for a portrait - not many.  And I tried letting her watch a movie while I drew, but the pose kept changing, so - thank goodness for cameras!  You know, of course, that I'm not much of a photographer, but I did the best I could, and here we are - 11 x 14" on Borden and Riley Paris paper for pens.  I love that slick surface for drawing.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Thing - original charcoal portrait drawing w/touches of sanguine

Just got some new drawing papers - I'm a paper fiend - I love all kinds of paper!  And this is one of the pieces - it's Stonehenge, one of my very favorite manufacturers.  This kraft color is new for me.  I also got light blue - drool - plus some of my usual colors.  This drawing is about 14 x 10".  Thanks so much for stopping by and please visit my oil pastel blog.

Lila's Gaze - original oil pastel portrait painting

This painting began as a life drawing, but the model couldn't stay, so I took a photo, which isn't nearly as much fun as drawing from life, but you take what you can get when it comes to posing.  I did this one on a piece of Mi-Teintes board, which I love, and the drawing started out wild and crazy, with colors here and there, but then got a little more traditional - with more local color.  It's such a total pleasure to work - especially with the Senneliers - on Mi-Teintes board.  Love the texture!  And it comes in such beautiful colors, just like the Mi-Teintes paper.   This piece is about 16 x 12".  Thanks so much for stopping by!  And if you have a minute, please check out my oil pastel blog.

A Little Smile - original oil pastel portrait sketch

Here's more of my portrait sketching - this one using Sennelier oil pastels on carton - a newish surface that I love, reminiscent of the tan card used by Toulouse-Lautrec.  Lovely to work on, it's available from Judson Art.  This sketch is 12 x 9" - thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Little Girl Drawing - original charcoal portrait drawing

I just had to capture this little girl as she drew.  She was totally involved in what she was doing - aren't all artists that way!  It's always great to have a bit of charcoal handy - you just never know.  This little drawing is about 8 x 6 1/2".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lexie with an Apple - original oil pastel figurative drawing

Here's a drawing of Lexie holding an apple - I just liked the looseness and relaxed quality she had while she took a break.  I did the drawing from life, then filled it in with color after she left.  It's all oil pastel - Sennelier and Caran d'Ache - on Sennelier oil pastel paper - about 15 x 12".  Thanks for stopping by!
 

Lexie, Reading - original oil pastel portrait sketch

I did this drawing from life and it took a little less than 20 minutes - kind of a gesture portrait.   It's just wonderful to have models right here in River City and get to practice my all time favorite drawing exercise - short pose.   I used 9 x 12" Colourfix paper in a light grey blue. Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please visit my oil pastel blog

The Print Shirt - original pencil portrait drawing

This 13 x 10" drawing began life as a pose taken by the little girl, but then I realized the futility of having a youngster try and hold a pose for a long time, so I took a picture of her and mostly drew from that.  Drawing from life has its limits when dealing with children.  Actually, I don't think I could hold a pose for any length of time.  I cringe when the model doesn't show and we have to take turns posing.  Just like waiting to give a book report in middle school, I always hope the session will end before I must take my turn.  This is on wonderful Stonehenge white paper and instead of using charcoal, as I usually do, it's done with a graphite pencil.  Pencil just has a sort of softness that I like for children.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Sold

Lexie in Line - original charcoal portrait drawing

Okay, maybe a little goofy looking, but sometimes I just get the urge to do a line drawing.  They don't ever seem to turn out perfectly, because I spend a lot of time just looking at the subject, rather than at the drawing itself.  Almost a blind contour, but not quite.  This has always been one of my favorite drawing exercises. 
I hope all you moms out there had a wonderful Mother's Day!  Thanks so much dropping by Hackberry Street Studio. NFS

The Girl on My Easel - original oil portrait in progress

Here's what I'm working on today - not really finished, yet.  I think I'll set it aside and come back to it in a week or so.  It's on 10 x 8" canvas.  Thanks so much for stopping by!