Jumpin' Jivers - original acrylic figurative painting

Yes, I really saw it - I think youth is the first prerequisite for a jump like this one! And tons of practice, because he didn't seem to give it a second thought - all in a day's work!  He probably didn't think of it as work, though, just lots of fun.  I used Golden Open acrylic paint on an 8 x 8" panel.  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Livy's Naptime - original acrylic figurative in progress

Notice I said "in progress" - lots to do here, but only going to fool with it a little more and then get going on something else.  I had to get the model to move down so I could get her where I wanted her on the bed and she actually did take a little nap.  Used acrylics on a cradled panel, 12 x 12".  Will  post it here when I do get it finished.  Thanks for looking!

Morning - original graphite portrait drawing

I started this drawing from life, but as often happens, I eventually had to rely on a photograph, which isn't as good, but I was grateful for at least a little time with a model.  Not usually a fan of drawing with graphite, I loved doing this one with a set of General's woodless graphite pencils in HB, 2B, 4B and 6B - also comes with a sharpener - I just love kits!  This drawing is about 11 x 12" on Strathmore mixed media paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of Jana in Trois Crayons - original figurative drawing

Fooling around with trots crayons today - basing this drawing on a charcoal one where I sort of pestered someone to pose for me (sigh) I can be so tiresome.  So while listening to The Creation of Anne Boleyn by Susan Bordo - yummy for us English history buffs - I did a quick sketch using the big three.  Maybe not the best example, but something that's not my usual.  It's on bluish Colourfix paper - thanks so much for stopping by!

Young Ballerina Sketch - original charcoal and oil pastel figurative drawing

I couldn't resist this drawing - they were so busy getting everything in order. Of course, there was a lot of moving around, so I had to change some of the poses a bit, plus do a little memorizing of poses I especially liked.  I love having access to ballet dancers and they are so much more accessible than tango dancers. Tango is generally at night and far from my house.  Western dancers are easy to find in this part of the country, as well as some of the jive dancers - and I'm easy to find, too - always around with my sketchbook!
  This sketch is on Art Spectrum Colourfix paper - 9 x 12" - thanks for looking!

All Out Jive - original acrylic figurative painting

I know - it's a little crazy looking - but I love the abandon and just went with it.  I like how this fella dances and the girl has just returned to the floor after a jump.  Didn't have room on the panel for both of them to be airborne.  Was listening to my workout music while painting and it is definitely jive - the only problem is that I should use it more, rather than just listening as I paint!  This piece is on gessoed panel, 7 x 5".  Thanks for looking!

Woman Reading - original pastel pencil figurative drawing

This pastel pencil drawing is actually on bluish Art Spectrum Colourfix paper, but for some reason, it looks kind of beige here.  Otherwise, the colors are correct.  I love having a model for even a short time, so didn't work on the chair at all - just concentrated on the model, because all models do tire after awhile.  And sure enough, she finally had enough and that was that.  It was great while it lasted, though.  Years ago, I used some CarbOthello pastel pencils in art class and I loved them, but haven't used this medium since.  Got to thinking about them and just hauled off and treated myself to a whole set of CarbOthellos.   They are delicious, plus I think changing one's medium from time to time is good for the soul!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

On My Easel - Warming Up - original oil pastel figurative work in progress

Maybe I will do something with this sketch - or maybe not, but it was fun to draw.  I do love ballet dancers, just like I love all dancers!  I drew this on Art Spectrum Colourfix - the grittier kind.  Thanks for looking!

Studio Nude - original acrylic painting of a nude model

I was trying out my new Golden Open Acrylics and painted this piece from a drawing that I did some time ago.  The Opens are great - they really do stay wet longer.  I love them - easy to work with and, I think, easier blending for edges.  The painting is 10 x 8" on multimedia paper - thanks for looking!

Dancers In Lines - original ink marker figurative drawing

Just about my all time fave thing to do - line squiggles that form people.  Used an Itoya Doubleheader calligraphy pen for this one.  Great drawing instrument, btw - gives such variety of line.  This one is about 8 x 11 1/2"  - thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Sketchbook Landscape - original mixed media drawing.

This type of drawing is not really my thing, but was working on my sketchbook, which is the subject of this post.  I was at the craft store in the next town and came across a Bee sketchbook for markers which I snapped up.  I love it so much!  The pages lie completely flat and it has a stiff black pebbled cover - such a delight to work in.  I used pastel pencils, water soluble pencils, marker, and charcoal.  I used Bee papers years ago, then later could never seem to find this brand, but am really glad I have this cute sketchbook.  This product comes in other sizes besides this 8 x 8" and with vellum paper, as well.  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel Sketch of Gemma - original charcoal portrait sketch in progress

Here's a little 12 x 9" sketch of Gemma - not finished, but one that I'm enjoying working on.  It's on Strathmore toned paper, which is fun to draw on, especially when using a little white in addition to the charcoal.  As I progress, I'll use some white - just not there, yet.  Thanks for looking!

Sketchbook Nude - original mixed media drawing

This drawing comes from a life drawing I did several months ago, so, early this morning, I just decided to give it another interpretation.  I had planned to do it completely in watercolor, then restate the figure in ink, but it took a slightly different path - just had to get more line in there!  Here and there are touches of acrylic, as well.  I didn't realize that the Prismacolor ink marker I was using is water-soluble, so that was a surprise - and a good one. too!  Then I turned my attention to an oil pastel for my oil pastel blog and got it mostly finished.  Working in the morning - which we night owls don't often do - seems to be a good thing! Plus, I listened to early morning radio - I always have the radio on, just not usually as early as I did this morning.   This piece is on 8.5 x 5.5" mixed media paper - thanks for stopping by!

A Nude for Tuesday - original charcoal drawing

This nude drawing is done on Strathmore drawing paper, 14 x 11".  I also added touches of white hard pastel.  Thanks for looking!

iPhone Guitarist - original iPhone sketch

Here's the result of a goofing around Saturday - probably could refine it some, but it is a loose little sketch, after all, and one must be grateful when there is a model of sorts around.  What's wonderful about using my phone is the phone doesn't get the nervous looks that pulling out the sketchbook - no matter how small - does.  Plus much of this piece is just drawing without looking and looking at the performer, instead.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

On My Easel - Two Geishas - original oil pastel figurative in progress

Here's a little of what I was working on today.  The support looks like canvas, but isn't.  I applied gesso to panel with a bristle brush that one would use to paint woodwork.  With the first layer going up and down, and the next one side to side, the effect is more like canvas.  I only needed two layers because the panel was already gessoed.  It's really fun and instructive to paint a 7 x 5" because it's so intimate and also easier to work out problems or go in a different direction.  For instance, I'm now more interested in the geisha in the back and want to explore that a little more, possibly in a larger piece.  I think it's the values that are appealing in the back geisha.  For me, it's always the values!  Will probably finish this on Tuesday.  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - charcoal portrait in progress

I just started this one this evening - having to work with mainly a photograph, although I will finish it with the actual girl.  So much to do, but it's great to work in charcoal - so soft and forgiving.  This one is 17 x 14".  Thanks for stopping by.

Wild Jive - original figurative oil painting

This painting is what listening to oldies will do for you - what a way to spend a couple of hours on Friday afternoon.  The music is from my workout playlist, so it's all pretty lively.  On 8 x 8" Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

iPhone sketch of Shayna - original black and white iPhone drawing

I love drawing with my finger on my 6 plus screen - talk about living dangerously when drawing!  It's a complete toss-up as to how it will turn out, but really satisfying for me.  If you haven't tried this, do it! Thanks so much for visiting Hackberry Street Studio!

More Little Jivers - original figurative oil painting

These little dancers are dancing on 6 x 6" Gessobord and having the time of their lives!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Fixing Her Hair - original oil pastel portrait drawing

I always just love it when the model takes one of the fixing hair poses!  This one is done on Art Spectrum Colourfix - the original, which I adore, in the sand color.  Maybe not finished - I didn't have a whole lot of time because I kept dropping my crayon and/or it kept breaking.  But in the happiness department, it was a win-win.  It's 9 x 12" - thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - original oil pastel figurative in progress

This is a 9 x 12" oil pastel I worked on today - many, many refinements before I could possibly consider it finished - if it ever does get finished.  Once again, on this marvelous Colourfix paper that I'm loving to work on.  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Ballerina - original oil pastel drawing

This drawing is on Colourfix paper - the new smoother kind.  I thought I wouldn't like it, just bought it by accident, but I ended up loving it!  This drawing is about 9 x 9" - thanks for stopping by!

Nude on Grey - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

A charcoal drawing on grey paper - actually it's Strathmore 403 - is the latest from Hackberry Street Studio.   This one is about 9 1/2 x 4 1/2".  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Sandi - original oil pastel portrait

Since I've been away so much and haven't posted, I just decided to go ahead and publish something in progress.  Even though I didn't post for such a long time doesn't mean I haven't been doing art.  Actually, I took a portrait painting course and also have been drawing or painting every single day.  So much to do on this one, yet, but just needed to get back to posting.  This is Colourfix paper - the smoother one, which has just a bit of tooth.  I used Sennelier with a few Holbein oil pastels.  It's about 9 x 9".  Maybe I'll post it again when I'm finished. Thanks for stopping by!

Two Step Passion - original oil figurative painting

This couple was so into each other and the music - they were a pleasure to watch.  It was kind of a fast number - I don't remember the tune - but they glided by with purpose and emotion.  This painting is on 8 x 8" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for looking!
PS. My Able Assistant, Roger, seems to be much better!  I love my Assistant!💓

Really Red Tango - original oil figurative painting

Here's one I think I forgot - discovered it today.  It's 7 x 5" on Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

Blue Cape - original oil pastel portrait drawing

I'm not sure I will "finish" this 5 x 7" piece on panel since it feels as if I've accomplished what I've set out to do.  I like the openness on the left side and maybe if I completely cover it, I might regret it.  Isn't it fun to read my rant?  Sorry.  Although I could actually go on and on.
So sad and worried at the moment - my wonderful and beloved Able Assistant, Roger, seems to be ill.   It's terrible to watch - will probably stay downstairs with him tonight and we'll sleep in my recliner, all bundled up together.  Only hope he can recover - he's such a part of my life.

Two Charcoal Nudes - original charcoal drawing of nudes

Two quick charcoal drawings on Strathmore drawing paper,  about 16 x 14".  Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Sandra - original oil pastel portrait painting

This little oil pastel is 7 x 5" on panel.  Once again, I fooled around with it afterward, but it still looks like her - such a pleasant expression throughout.  Memo to me:  Leave it alone after you get home!  Thanks for looking!