Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Jacee's Stance - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

I loved this assertive pose - wish I'd had more time on it, but just grateful to be able to draw from this excellent model.  They don't grow on trees, unfortunately.  This drawing is about 12 x 8" - thanks for stopping by!

Friday, April 22, 2016

Jitterbug in Lavenders and Blues - original Sharpie and watercolor drawing

I have had this brown Sharpie ultra fine point for a long time and just never used it, but am so glad I finally got around to it!  Always a fan of black and white, I am beginning to appreciate other colors of ink and there's nothing better to draw with than a Sharpie, which comes in tons of colors.  I drew this on 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" watercolor paper, then painted with watercolor.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Sketch for Torrid Tango - original charcoal figurative drawing

Loving the tango as I do, it's always fun to draw or paint dancers of this emotional and elegant dance.  Well, I'm not so sure this is pose could be called elegant, but it's definitely emotional!  It's matted to about 14 x 11 1/2".  Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Nude with a Flowered Screen - original oil pastel nude painting

This nude is painted on 5 x 7" Pastelbord.  This was a tough pose to hold - the model never actually sat on the floor, so she didn't hold it for long and we just did quick gesture drawings and the gesture drawing was what I worked from on this piece.   I'm such a fan of blue and green - love to paint with these colors and love to wear them.  I've been watching "Hinterland" which has so much blue and some green, as well.  I adore it - yes, the story is good and the acting, as well, but the blue - ahhhh! Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Blue Sash - original figurative oil painting


Fairly quickly done, because the model didn't have much time and really wasn't a model anyway, just someone with lots of patience and a good heart.  Always favoring cool colors, I loved doing this one. It's 10 x 8" on panel - thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Pensive - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This drawing is on multi-media paper, about 8 x 6".  We've had rain here in our little town tonight and it's SO welcome for our parched area!  Since our chances for rain are scheduled to end in May (at least according to lots of weather experts),  I'm even happy to wipe Roger's wet feet when he comes in from a romp in the yard.  Actually, I'm happy to do most anything for Roger - he's getting pretty old, but still the sweetest, most wonderful doggie - and a great example of a rescue dog.  Plus, he's an excellent assistant - lies at my feet to keep my toes warm (when he's not on my lap) and waits patiently for me at my studio while I work.  Love you, Roger!

Monday, April 04, 2016

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Nude with Turquoise Background - original oil pastel nude

This nude is on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Nothing better than juicy Sennelier oil pastels on Pastelbord for a quick life drawing.  Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Watercolor Nude - original watercolor painting

This painting is done on watercolor paper from a little 8 x 5" sketchbook.  It's really handy to keep in my bag for sketches.  I just happened to have it with me at a drawing session and was able to put it to use on this quick little drawing.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Another Standing Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This is one of my favorite poses and when the model takes it, I am always thrilled.  Standing poses, especially back views, are so beautiful.  I love the touch of mystery in a back view.  For this drawing, I used one of those charcoal pencils that you peel with a string - maybe there's a fancier name for them - on 8 x 6" Strathmore multi-media paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, March 28, 2016

On My Easel - The Hippie - original oil pastel portrait painting in progress

This oil pastel was begun after I had completed the charcoal sketch from life, but there just wasn't enough time to complete this one from the model, so am now working from a photo and my initial charcoal drawing.  Lots to do before I finish it, but I love working on Art Spectrum Colourfix - it's wonderful for oil pastel - 12 x 9" - thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Monday, March 21, 2016

Seated Blue Nude - original watercolor nude

The paper is actually more white, although the color of the figure is pretty much correct - can't have everything right, I guess - at least in my photography.  This figure was painted very quickly on 8 x 6" mixed media paper.  Just trying to capture the moment with this model and I think I succeeded - makes me happy.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, March 20, 2016

More Crazy Ink Jivers - original ink figurative drawing

Scribble, scribble, scribble and there they are - away for awhile, but they're back.  I miss them when they're gone, so I make sure to keep in touch.  I love drawing with ink, whether a more precise drawing, or a scribbly one like this (about 14 x 9 1/2" on Strathmore drawing paper) - hope you like it.  Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Standing Nude with Blue Background - original charcoal and oil pastel drawing of a nude

I love all colors, but the combination of blue with whites and grey and black are an obsession - at least that's my obsession at the present.  Am thinking of ways to do it - with backgrounds of blue drawings - then the main drawing over it in black - sometimes all I can think about.  When I arrived back in town today and worked in my yard, I was focusing on the combination of black, grey, white and blue.  Are all artists obsessed with one art thing or another?  Maybe.  Hope I'm not the only one.  Then I'm going to start worrying.

Friday, March 11, 2016

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!

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

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!

Friday, March 04, 2016

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!

Thursday, March 03, 2016

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!

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

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!

Monday, February 29, 2016

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!

Sunday, February 28, 2016

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!

Monday, February 22, 2016

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!

Friday, February 19, 2016

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!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Thursday, February 18, 2016

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!

Friday, February 12, 2016

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!

Thursday, February 11, 2016

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!