Monday, April 20, 2009

Martha - original oil pastel portrait sketch by Connie Chadwell

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This is a sketch that I did of a young woman whose portrait I painted in oil. Sometimes I do extra drawings if the subject is willing to pose - I do them quickly so the sitter doesn't get too tired. It's really hard to pose, which I've found out by having to fill in if the model for a drawing session doesn't show. Then we all take turns. It's tough!
After I finished the drawing, or at least after the model had left, I used some oil pastel medium on the piece to give it a smoother look. That's rare for me to do, but I was just experimenting.


On Colourfix paper, this drawing is 12 x 9". Thanks for stopping by!

6 comments:

Dale Sherman Blodget said...

Hi Connie,
I like the quick, loose look of her face and shirt. Great white collar thing. What do you think about the bg with medium? To me it's a little vertical. I can't see use of medium in the figure or face at all, is that correct? I wonder if using a little in the subject would tie the whole thing together. But that's too scary, because the subject doesn't need it. I'm rambling, sorry.

Connie Chadwell said...

Hi Dale - and thanks for your comment! I guess I need to say more on my blog about techniques. I've even signed up for an online course on blogging - maybe I'll get better at it! The oil pastel medium I used is in stick form and I just smeared and blended it with the op using my fingers. The background is vertical, but it was REALLY vertical before I used the medium stick. Lots of furious scribbling. You're right, there is very little on her face, just a touch here and there. Thanks so much for stopping by - hope you visit again soon!

naquaiya said...

Connie, I love these greens and in general, I love your portraits. They just simply read as really whole, competent art with your unique style.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Very nice portrait. I like the lighter background you've used here. You get such nice detail using just a few strokes. Wonderful!

Connie Chadwell said...

Wow! Thank you, Naquaiya!

Connie Chadwell said...

Thank you, Elizabeth - I appreciate your nice comment!