Three Nudes on Turquoise - original acrylic paintings of nudes

I started out thinking this would be easy.  But I just felt so rushed - which I actually love and makes one move the paintbrush around very quickly - so why am I complaining?  Must just be a bad habit I've fallen into.  It was a challenge, but a fun challenge!  I love some of the passages, which is always so rewarding for us artists.  Was involved in a conversation yesterday about passages we love when we paint and the very accomplished artist I was speaking with said that's why she keeps on painting.  I can identify with that!  The panel is 8 x 10".  Thanks for looking!

Two-Step Sweethearts - original acrylic figurative painting

I almost never use acrylic for a painting.  To me, it's mainly great to use in brush drawings, but using it today for this piece just reminds me of the good qualities of acrylic.  It dries really fast, which is enough to make me love it.  And I don't feel so constrained when I work with it - for instance, the fat over lean that's so crucial in oil painting.  I vow here and now to continue doing some of my stuff in acrylic.  (Fingers making "X" over heart.)  This painting is 7 x 5" - thanks for stopping by!

Nude on Chartreuse - original oil drawing of a nude

I really like working on the acrylic painted panel, especially on the chartreuse color.  The combination of black and chartreuse reminds me of a tap dance recital costume that I wore when I was a kid - the outfit was black satin trimmed with chartreuse feathers.  And I just love that color combination even today! This drawing is 10 x 8" - thanks for looking!

On My Easel - original oil pastel figurative in progress

I worked today on this drawing of the model on Strathmore 403 oil pastel paper - listed as pastel paper - but is originally for oil pastel and it is absolutely wonderful for this medium.  I love this model and the poses she takes.  It's 12 x 9" and the paper is a little more gray blue and darker, but if you read my blog, you know about my photographic limitations.  Thanks for visiting my blog.

Joanie - original charcoal portrait drawing

I was going to do this in oil paint, but when I realized I just wouldn't have time, it was charcoal to the rescue.  Could probably do a painting from this drawing, but am happy with the charcoal version.  I used vine charcoal and General's Peel n Sketch (I think I've called it Peel n Draw before) on Strathmore 400 Mixed Media paper.  This paper is really versatile - it's 140 lb. and has just the right amount of tooth, although maybe not as easy to erase as I'd like.  But then I'm pretty hard on paper and work and work it 'til it's worn out, so really, there's no paper for me - I should probably work on my technique!
I kind of dreaded doing the hands, especially when there's not much time, but think they worked out okay.  This drawing is about 11 x 8".  I hope to be able to do a painting of Joanie - maybe we can have her as a model again soon.  One can hope.
Thanks for stopping by!

Jive Scribble - original charcoal figurative drawing

Trying to capture the energy here - will probably end up with a little painting from this one.  I did the drawing on Strathmore 14 x 11" Mixed Media paper - actually more of a sketchbook, I think, and I really like using it.  Also used General's Peel n Sketch charcoal pencil.  Thanks for looking!

Doubting Sarah - original charcoal portrait drawing

She looked as if she didn't believe a word they were saying.  I could get busy and "finish" this piece, but I'm happy with it.  It captures her expression, which was one of amused doubt.  This drawing is about 8 x 6" on mixed media paper.  Thanks for looking!

Geisha on Aquamarine - original charcoal portrait drawing

The paper is actually a slightly warmer shade of aqua, but it's difficult to get it to display perfectly.  This drawing is on Fabriano Tiziano aquamarine, about 8 x 8".  I love different kinds, colors, brands, etc., of paper and have such fun learning the qualities of each when I use them for my drawings.  This one has a slight tooth, and the color - ahhhh the color - is so gorgeous! Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch for Tango Drama - original charcoal figurative drawing

I love these dramatic moments in tango - tango dancers always dance like they mean it.  And I'm convinced they do! This is drawn on 14 x 11" mixed media paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Ink Folk Dancer - original figurative ink drawing

I was pleased with this one - not easy to draw when someone is dancing - they just go off and leave me working on three or four steps ago.  Funny thing - didn't realize I was drawing on the other side of a jive dancing ink couple that I enjoyed doing - something about her foot that I hadn't captured before, plus a turn in her torso.  I never finished the guy, though, and instead, will probably just use the girl dancer in another drawing or painting.  I love the way these dancers move in and out of my life.  Never know when I'll see them again, but they're always there, just waiting to dance for me.

Both drawings are from my mixed media sketchbook, about 5 x 8".  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Gallery Visit - original oil figurative painting in progress

Not finished with this one, but probably won't finish it 'til late weekend - maybe move the floor down, plus finish the model (who isn't a model,  but a girl I sketched).  It's on 10 x 10" canvas.  Thanks for stopping by!

Cello Practice - original oil pastel figurative drawing

This was a fun drawing to do, but I won't return to it to "finish" it - I love leaving things "unfinished". It's 14 x 11" on Pastelbord.  Thanks for looking!

Another Tango Kick - original figurative oil painting

Another little tango painting - these tango dancers are never far away from me.  Lots of brushwork here - it's 7 x 5" on panel.  Thanks for stopping by!

Girl in Blue - original oil portrait drawing

I just loved doing this one - I think I've found a new love.  But of course, I seem to find one every time I try something new.  I used a bright blue acrylic paint for the panel, then drew on it with oil paint. There's just something so fulfilling about having a good art day and I am really grateful for that.  On 7 x 5" panel.  Thanks for looking!
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Woman in a Chair with a Fan - original charcoal figurative sketch

This drawing is one that I hope to turn into a painting - just working out some details.  Actually, she looks a little sad - got to fix that.  Or maybe not.  It's on 14 x 17" Strathmore drawing paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Three Apples - original graphite still life drawing

Now for a total departure.  This is a drawing I did about 20 years ago.  Most of my older drawings - hundreds of them - have ended up in the garbage because I had way too many.  I took photos on my iPhone and will work on paintings from them.  I did keep this one, though, even though it's a bit of a mess with a crease here and there - but the drawing itself is in good condition - because I enjoyed the dry wash technique.  I LOVE black and white drawings and spend more time at exhibitions with the prints and drawings than looking at the paintings.  Hope everyone's having a nice weekend - thanks for looking!  PS.  please check out my oil pastel blog here.

Seated in a Red Chair - original oil figurative painting

I love it when the model is on a break and takes a "pose" that's natural for her.  Then we can ask her to hold it while we paint - works out great for all of us!  This painting is on 8 x 8" canvas.  Thanks for looking!
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Formal #2 - original oil figurative sketch

This sketch is based on an earlier charcoal drawing of mine and I'm just fooling around with it here; playing with the idea that working on a pose over and over helps to understand it better, resulting in a  more successful painting in the end - we'll see.  Today's sketch is done on 8 x 8" canvas and it is SO absolutely not finished.   Another stream of consciousness thing.  Thanks for looking!
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New Pen, New Dancers - original figurative ink drawing

I have a new black Sharpie that doesn't come through the paper and I'm loving it!  Captured these dancers with it - this pen is a keeper!  It's smooth and the although the ink feels so free flowing, it doesn't make a mess.  Well, of course, no Sharpie I ever heard of, does, so this pen continues the grand tradition.  Still, it does have more of an ink feel that the feel of a marker.
This drawing is also an audition for the dancers on the page.  Some will get to stay with me, but as for others, they will have to go back for a few modifications.  See?  You thought I'd say 'drawing board'.  On 5.5 x 8" mixed media paper - thanks for stopping by!

Lime Twist - original oil figurative gesture drawing

Just for fun - I coated a panel with lime acrylic and drew on it with oil paint. I've readied more panels in aqua and lime acrylic for these nude gesture drawings.  So much fun!  This one is 10 x 8" - thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Country Evening - original oil figurative painting in progress

I did this painting in a more colorful palette, but decided that a limited one might be better for an evening dance and I'm pretty happy with this choice for a change.   It's just black white, terra rosa and yellow ochre, plus a blue, which normally isn't part of my limited palette, but I just had to have it this time.  I asked a friend for a critique - this one or the full palette one?  "Oh, I like both of them".  Sigh.  Please don't be afraid to hurt my feelings - artists really, really want the truth!  So, if you have an opinion, don't be shy!  Will finish this one on the weekend and post it on my website, http://conniechadwell.com.  Thanks so much for looking!

Agnes - original oil portrait painting

I loved this quick little glance by the model, so I sketched the look in her eyes before it changed.  She was looking at something that was going on in the corner of the room.  I could do more - like the background - but I'm going to leave this a little more unfinished - I was just after her expression, anyway.  This painting is on 10 x 8"  linen.  Glad you stopped by!

Nude with a Fan - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

Although I spent my day working on some quick landscape studies, I still gravitate to figures, hence this nude that I did a few weeks ago.  My interest in this drawing is the joining of the arm to the back, then the darker lines farther down the arm. It's drawn with General's Peel and Sketch charcoal pencil on Strathmore Mixed Media paper, 8 x 4".   Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend!

Blue Green - original oil pastel drawing of a nude model

More of my ongoing fascination here with this aqua-ish color and of course, my favorite subject - the nude.  I did this one on 6 x 8" mixed media paper, using Sennelier oil pastels.  They're yummy to work with!  Thank you for stopping by!
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Curly - original charcoal portrait drawing

I loved drawing her hair, which is a remarkable feature.  She isn't a regular model, so I didn't have much time - there I go again - anyway, much fun to draw.  This drawing is on mixed media 10 x 8" paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - Ballet Lover - original oil portrait in progress

So wet I couldn't work on it for a day or so - good amount to do, but will finish on the weekend.  It's on 8 x 8" canvas.  Usually, I wouldn't use regular canvas for this, rather panel or portrait canvas, but I like Michael's best stretched canvas, plus added more gesso.  I did this small piece in preparation for a larger painting.  Thanks for stopping by!

Portrait Mix - original mixed media portrait drawing

A pretty model and lots of different art supplies is endless fun.  First came the ink, then the Caran d'Ache wax crayon, then the watercolor sticks, next the colored pencil, and a little oil pastel on the tip of her nose.  It really looks pretty much like the model - at least I think so - and she liked it, so time well spent, even if the approach is a little unorthodox.   It's 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" on cold press watercolor paper.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

On My Easel - A Little Solace - original oil pastel figurative

Working on this - much to do - it's 11 x 14" - thanks for looking!

Red, White and Blue Jive - original mixed media figurative drawing

Just a fun drawing using a little of this, a little of that - specifically, ink, watercolor, colored pencil, oil pastel. Quick and a pleasure to do - no looking back. I loved her position, looking back at him, who seems to be in another world.  It's on 6 x 8" mixed media paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Bronc Rider #2 - original figurative oil painting

This rider did really well at the pro rodeo here in Junction, Texas, last weekend.  I don't know how on earth they stay on - well they don't always - but they very often do.  Gorgeous horses and brave cowboys - a really great combination!  This painting is on 10 x 10" canvas.  Thanks for looking!