Sketch for Flamenco - charcoal figurative drawing

This drawing is done on Colourfix board, which is a great product - the surface is already backed by the board, so when framing, you don't have to tape it to backing and it has a nice white surround that gives a neat, sort of matted appearance.  All one has to do is put it behind glass/plexi using Econospace or Framespace.  Done!   I'm planning to spray this to the nth degree with fixative and cover it with oil pastels in my all-time favorite palette - red, ochre, black and white and maybe a little blue.  Of course, theoretically, blue isn't necessary in this palette, but I like to include it anyway.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Flamenco Evening - original charcoal figurative drawing

This drawing is on 11 x 14" Borden and Riley plate Bristol paper. It's late - not much to say tonight - off to bed.  Thanks for looking!

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!

Flamenco in Charcoal - original charcoal figurative drawing

I adore working in charcoal and I love flamenco, thus, this drawing.  It's 12 x 8" on plate Bristol paper.  Thanks for looking!

Flamenco in Dark Blue - original figurative watermedia painting

Lots of swirly strokes, using mostly darkest blue watercolor sticks by Daniel Smith, Caran d'Ache and Winsor & Newton on Yupo.  Then I brushed over the lines with one of my waterpens - not exactly a real watercolorist, but it works okay for me.  This drawing is about 11 x 8".  Thanks so much for stopping by!  (I apologize for the pinkish tint - it's not the paper, which is white - it's my photography.)

Ink Dance - original ink figurative drawing

I had planned to use oil pastel on this drawing, but was happy with just the lines - I really have a crush on line drawings, right now.  Drawn on Paris paper for pens, it's 12 x 9".   Thanks for visiting!

Flamenco in Ink - original ink and pastel figurative drawing

I have some paper that I love - the color, anyway, it's a gorgeous aqua from Fabriano Tiziano - and I just could not make it work the way I wanted with charcoal.  So, I did one of my drawings that I've actually done before, but this time in ink with touches of pastel.  At last, a semblance of what I'm looking for.  This is not the best photo, as usual, photography is not my strongest point - the color of the paper is actually more aquaey.  It's about 20 x 26".  Thanks for stopping by!

Flounce - original charcoal figurative drawing

Here's a drawing I did a couple of years ago after watching a live flamenco show.   First, there was the gritty, gypsy flamenco that I adore, then a more modern version, I guess you'd say, with such swirling of skirts.  Lots of ruffles and grace, yet the dancers retained much of the original flamenco and it was just beautiful.  I drew this, I think, with a charcoal pencil.  Looks like it, anyway, and it was originally on 12 x 9" Strathmore drawing paper, but I trimmed it to about 8 x 7" or so.  It seemed to me that everything after the first few flounces was superfluous.  I guess I didn't think so at the time, but do now.  Thanks so much for looking!

Dancer in a Blue Dress - original watermedia figurative painting

These little watermedia dancers are so much fun.  I always like to do stuff that isn't too finished. This painting was done with watercolor sticks and some watercolor.  I guess I could just say it was done with watercolor, since the sticks are considered the same as watercolor.  It's on Yupo.  Love that paper!  Also, it's about 10 x 7" - thanks for looking!

Woman in a Blue Dress - original watermedia figurative painting

This quick little painting is one of those fooling around things that often seem to go right.  So much nicer than working on something for hours, then having to throw it away, like I did the day before yesterday!  I listened to Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder while I did a bunch of these smallish watercolor sticks/watercolor on Yupo paintings.  So much fun to listen to music I love, while doing pieces that I totally enjoy. This one is 9 x 6".  Thanks for stopping by my blog! Sold

A Little Flamenco - original charcoal figurative drawing

I scribbled and curlicued this on 14 x 11" Strathmore drawing paper with the fabulous and wonderful General Primo charcoal sticks.  I didn't realize that I had these sticks - I thought Primo only came in the pencils that I love, but at some point I purchased the sticks and promptly forgot.  Hmmm.  I wonder what that signifies. These sticks are great to work with - they're square, so you can make a nice edge or turn them on their sides for broader strokes.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

Bailora - original oil figurative painting of Flamenco dancer

Merry Christmas y'all!  No matter the weather outside, may you be cozy and warm and surrounded by family and friends on this special day.  Thank you for dropping by my blog.  PS.  this painting is oil on 18 x 12" stretched canvas.

Tiny Doodles - original mixed media Artists' Trading Cards

Here are a few of the little 3.5 x 2.5" things I do when I'm traveling or don't have time to do anything larger.  Some of these are mainly oil pastel, others are mostly colored pencil, but they are all mixed media. 
Right now, I'm trying to keep up with a wildfire that's burning about ten miles from us.  Many of the residents west of town were evacuated from their homes - much worry tonight, but hoping for the best for everybody!
Thanks for stopping by!

Bailora with a Fan - original oil figurative painting

This painting is on 10 x 8" linen panel. Thanks so much for stopping by - have a happy weekend!

Another Bailora in Red - original oil figurative painting



To all my collectors, followers and visitors to Hackberry Street Studio, I wish you the Merriest Christmas ever!

This painting is on 14 x 11" canvas.  Thanks so much for stopping by!