Winter - original oil pastel portrait

As a lover of line, I'm always trying to keep the drawing from being covered by the paint.  This is the method in my madness here on this 7 x 5" oil pastel on Pastelbord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Strumming - original oil figurative sketch

This sketch was done on Arches oil paper, using a limited palette (black, white, yellow ochre and Indian red) and is about 11 x 11".   It's really great to paint on this surface - very freeing - no pressure to create a 'masterpiece' - not saying I ever do, of course.  Thanks for looking!

Mademoisellle - original acrylic portrait sketch

This young woman looked so French to me.  I've never given any thought to what a French person looks like, but something just made me think of her as a French girl.  I worked quickly on this little portrait (8 x 6") on Strathmore Mixed Media paper, basically scumbling over the surface with lots of acrylic paint on my brush.  Fun.  Thanks for stopping by!

Blue Nude - original watermedia nude drawing

This sketch is a bit brighter in real life, but alas, my photography.  On this one, I used blue watercolor sticks with touches of black on 8 x 6" mixed media paper.  The model has a tattoo that I didn't have time to show, so I just indicated it with a couple of lines. When I draw a bigger version, though, I intend to include it. Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Red Skirt Redux - original oil figurative painting

Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking - like when I originally posted Red Skirt.  Often when I return from a show/performance/drawing group, I don't include the atmosphere - like in the original of this painting.  I prefer working from my sketches rather than photos, but I need to pay more attention to the surroundings, not just the subject.  It's kind of difficult when caught up in the moment and trying to get everything down - but I must get back to making notes on the 'feeling' of the place.  So - here's a painting more like the way I saw the performance.  I darkened the background and now I'm much much happier with this piece.  It's on 16 x 12" panel.  Thanks for looking - and listening!

On My Easel - original charcoal portrait of Lindy

I have a number of things to fix here, but thought it was far enough along that you can tell what it is.  Used charcoal sticks on Strathmore drawing paper 17 x 14".  Thanks for stopping by!

Geisha with a Parasol - original oil pastel portrait painting

This is just so totally outside of what I usually do that once I started, I just couldn't stop - like forbidden territory.  The geisha life has always been fascinating to me - beautiful, but a little sad - and sometimes I simply have to dress a model as much like a geisha as I can.  This painting is on 12 x 12" Pastelbord, using lots of juicy Sennelier oil pastels.  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - original oil figurative painting in progress

This painting is barely started and I should probably not even post it.  BUT, I have rediscovered Arches oil paper and a tablet of that paper gives me such freedom to work and not worry that the stretched canvas or gessoed panel I usually use HAS to turn into a masterpiece.  Such pressure!  This paper can be bonded to a panel and framed like an oil painting, which it is, of course.  I'm wondering if other artists are fans of this support.  It's also really good for oil pastel.
My favorite part of this start is the sofa - not a good prognosis, I fear.
Not too sure, yet, whether I'll even finish it, but anyway, it's fun to do - on 12 x 16" Arches - thanks for looking!

Three Quick Faces - original oil pastel portrait sketches

                                                       

 Just goofing around with oil pastel and multi media art board.  I did this quickly while watching TV -  great practice - plus I almost cannot sit in front of the TV without drawing.  This drawing is on black 8 x 10"art board paper.  Thanks for stopping by!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Patti in Black and White with Blue - original ink and acrylic drawing

I guess I have a thing about blue, but have also been thinking about doing some of the action drawings in red, other drawings in green - should be fun.  This drawing was done on 8 x 6" Strathmore Mixed Media paper - good stuff - with an Itoya calligraphy pen.  Thanks so much for looking!

A Pose from Tuesday - original charcoal drawing of a nude

I dunno - seems a little darker than I usually do - the lines, I mean, but variety is the spice.  There is some restating here - her leg, which I decided was incorrect, is not in the place where I first put it and her right arm - a similar situation.  Oh well - that's what figure drawing is all about.  And the T principle - from Jack Hamm - is ambiguous on her left arm, but that's what I saw and I'm sticking to it.  On 12 x 9" drawing paper.  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Original Oil Portrait Painting in Progress

Although it looks like her, I can see so many things to change.  Are all artists like that?  Never satisfied?  This is done on 10 x 10" Gallerywrap canvas.  I don't even remember buying this canvas, but it was nice to paint on and it will be just fine without a frame.  Will finish it tomorrow or the next day.  Thanks for looking!

Volleyball Shorthand - original ink figurative drawing

I took my sketchbook to a volleyball game and made several gesture drawings - of course, some are a little easier to decipher than others.  I will post a few of them over a few weeks time.  Gesture drawings are made to capture the energy and movement of the figure - they're not intended to be complete or finished, but they can provide so much information that more finished works can be drawn or painted from the gesture.

This drawing is on a Strathmore sketchbook page.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Trish - original charcoal nude drawing

This charcoal nude is on 12 x 9" Strathmore drawing paper using vine charcoal - drawing is about 9 x 7".  Thanks for looking!

Leaning Nude - original charcoal nude drawing

This nude drawing is a bit of a departure for me because I left a lot of dark lines - sort of more deliberate than usual.  Also didn't have time to finish the leg - the model needed a break (this was a tough pose to hold) and we just never returned to this one.  Back to the "unfinished" leg, which I kind of like - this technique holds promise for the future.  Well, I've actually left parts unfinished before - I completely forget about it and when I do it again, I wake up in a whole new world.  Kind of like finding something in the back of the shed that I'd forgotten about and then it's like a new toy.  I guess drawing techniques work the same way.  I used vine charcoal on Strathmore 12 x 9" drawing paper.  Thanks for looking!

Weeknight Two-Step - original figurative oil painting

What a monster this site is tonight.  I keep posting and when I check the post, there are three or four copies of the painting.  I'm not quite that prolific a painter.  Anyway, this oil painting is done on 6 x 6" Gessobord panel.  Thanks for looking!

Jivin' Crazy - original soluble graphite figurative drawing

Gotta get this posted  - soluble graphite on Yupo, 9 x 12" - thanks for looking!

Tango Shorthand - original ink figurative drawing

I came across this 7 x 5" ink drawing today - I think it's on watercolor paper - and don't even remember making it.  I know I have used this pose - if you can tell there's a pose here (haha) - in paintings, but being such a fan of squiggly line drawings, this little piece just makes me smile.  Thanks for stopping by!

ACEO - Tiny Lida - original oil pastel portrait

This little portrait is on an Art Spectrum Colourfix ATC card.  There is a white border around the  surface - all the Colourfix paper has this border - very helpful when you frame your piece.   Such a wonderful surface to work on - Colourfix is great for oil pastel because it has just enough grit and accepts many layers.  It's quite a challenge to get a picture on such a small surface when using unsharpened oil pastels, but this practice keeps me from being so tight and helps me focus on the essentials of the drawing.  It's 3.5 x 2.5 inches - thanks for stopping by!

A Girl at Our Table - original charcoal figurative drawing

I, with my little sketchbook, am such a pest, but it's worth it to get drawings of people.  I just told her to go ahead and talk and visit and pay no attention to me.  Every time she turned my way, my charcoal suddenly became very busy.  Since she was with friends of mine, it worked out well.  It's from my 8 x 6" sketchbook.  Thanks for looking!

Another Charcoal Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This drawing is from my 8 x 6" sketchbook - thanks for looking!

Sketchbook Drawing of a Couple Dancing - original charcoal figurative sketch

Here's a charcoal sketch from my sketchbook - I love it when I actually get to draw people dancing.  It always ends up being a memory drawing, though, because they always move on very quickly - which is the exciting thing about dancing!  I have so many sketchbooks, but my favorite is a spiral-bound one - not pretty with a charming cover as so many are - but I love it and just bought more.  If they're not fun to draw in, what's the point?  Thanks for stopping by!

Basket of Flowers - original oil pastel figurative painting

This painting is done on 7 x 5" Pastelbord, using Sennelier oil pastels.  Thank you for visiting my blog!

A Bit of Eve - original figurative ink drawing

Very quick drawing - a favorite method of mine.  This was done in my sketchbook with a fountain pen.  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Landscape Pencil Drawing in Progress

This sketchbook work in progress is one that I started while out in the country.  I ran out of time so took a photo in order to complete it when I got home, but just haven't gotten around to it.  Am working on some figure drawings that aren't even finished enough to post.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

More Two-Step Sweet Talk - original figurative oil painting

I was just cruising around the internet, checking on Texas dancehalls, with nothing much in mind, and found several articles and ratings on these great places.  Click here to read about ten of them.
This painting is on 6x6" Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Piano Practice - original oil pastel figurative painting

This is painted on 8 x 10" Pastelbord, using Sennelier oil pastels.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch of a Girl Sleeping - original charcoal figurative drawing

The paper is really a little whiter than the photo shows, but anyway, here's a drawing I did of a young girl who just couldn't stay awake any longer.  It's on 14 x 17" Strathmore drawing paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

ACEO - Marcy - original acrylic portrait painting

Continuing with the acrylic paint, I did some ACEOs today.  These tiny (3.5 x 2.5") things are so much fun to do and actually are kind of relaxing.  Done on illustration board that I gessoed on both sides - didn't have to be gessoed, but I like the finish it gives to the paper.  Thanks for looking!

I Think Her Name is Janice - original acrylic portrait painting

 I've been using acrylic paint (again) and found it to be so great to use.  Best of all is the drying time - and for me, a looseness that doesn't happen when I use oil.  As for the model, I didn't write her name on the back of the panel as I usually do, but it was Janice, I'm pretty sure.  And warm colors - I almost never paint anything with such warm colors - don't really know what came over me - I don't think the background was particularly warm, but such a departure from my usual work.  It's painted on 8 x 10" gessoed panel.  Thanks for looking!