A Winter Day - original oil pastel portrait painting

I think everyone in Texas is sick of winter - especially what this winter has brought.  We were lucky, but I know so many weren't!  Texas just isn't set up for merciless temps and failures of the power grid.  Closed up inside, I was able to do lots of drawings and other artwork and here is one from those days.  It is, of course, made from a photo I took early in the winter with our first little snowfall, never dreaming what was to come.  

This one is on 12 x 9" Pastel Premier paper, using mostly Sennelier oil pastels, some Caran d'Ache and Cray-pas Specialists.  She was standing in front of one of our pecan trees with the branches almost touching the ground.  Thanks for stopping by!
 

Barrie - original oil portrait painting

Texas is probably just about done digging itself out of the ice and snow of this past week.  Our family fared pretty well, but sad to say, lots of folks didn't.  We're just not prepared for this kind of weather - 3 degrees - and I'm hoping this really was a once in a century thing.  And if I didn't already love summer, I do now!

This piece, lurking in my studio, is painted on 8 x 10" stretched canvas, beginning from life, then on to photos.  I like it for her sweet expression.  Thanks for stopping by!
 

From an Ancient Torso - original mixed media figurative drawing redux

So great to sketch from these beautiful creations - in this case, using charcoal, graphite and Caran d'Ache neocolor 1 -  on Strathmore 300 mixed media paper which I use as a sketchbook because the paper is tough enough for any dry media but not quite as expensive as the 400 series.  Somehow, I just feel a little bit freer to do things on the less costly paper that I might not otherwise do on more expensive paper.  Ever have that feeling?   I love the 400 series though, and when it's on sale, I stock up!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Krista on Black Paper - original oil pastel portrait

Strathmore's black mixed media paper is such a perfect support for oil pastel, which is what I used for this piece.  Drawing a model seated in a chair while I was perched on a barstool isn't the usual arrangement,  but it worked so maybe I'll use this set-up in the future.  I did some smoothing with my finger on this one, and maybe could have done more, but I do like strokes to show at least a bit.  Using black paper here with my Senneliers, but I also love Strathmore's blue mixed media - haven't tried the gray, but I will soon.  Am going to give the gray a try with my Caran d'Ache pastel pencils.  These pencils are expensive, but they are worth it! This little painting is about 5 x 5".  Thanks for looking!
 

Two-Step Scribble - charcoal and oil pastel figurative sketch

This sketch is one I did from the 2019 rodeo dance (didn't have rodeo in 2020😞) and sometimes I just get such satisfaction from one of these drawings, even though it lingers somewhere between drawing and painting.  As a line lover, I'm always looking for ways to incorporate line in what I do and not totally cover it up with paint.  Will just leave this one as it is and do a painting from it.

I hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving!🦃 Thanks for stopping by!

Looky What I Got Yesterday!

I splurged a little and bought several CrayPas Specialists, some Caran d'Ache Neopastels and a few of my usual Senneliers.  So exciting for an oil pastelist!  I like to use Caran d'Ache lime green for glazing skin and decided to try a lot of other colors for that purpose just to see how it works out.  Much fun ahead!
 

Reluctant Vera - original oil portrait sketch

Here's one from a drawing group where the model didn't show, and in those cases, everybody takes a turn as the model - or most everybody, since I think I avoided it that time - so I call this one 'Reluctant Vera', because she wasn't thrilled to be the model, but she was a good one, nevertheless.  Drawing group attendees who have to replace the model soon find out how really tough it is to be a model - staying completely still for 20 minutes at a time, then trying to get back into the same exact position after the break.  Models earn every bit of their pay! 

I used mostly Gamblin and Blue Ridge paints and a couple of Grumbachers on this piece.  I shouldn't use a lot of colors, because as one of my painting teachers told me, I always turn everything into a basic limited palette which I did on this one except for the blue, so I think I'll just save the money and go back to the four or five colors.  😀 Thanks for stopping by!

Ready for Night - original pastel pencil portrait drawing

 

Here's a pastel pencil drawing that I did some time ago, using a very limited palette of Caran d'Ache pencils.  At that time, I only had a few of this brand that I was trying out and since they - unlike most pastels, even in pencil form - didn't make me sneeze, get in my eyes and just generally make me feel itchy, I've acquired a nice collection of Caran d'Ache.  Most likely, how I use pastels is the problem, but since I'm mainly an oil pastelist, problem solved!  This was a pretty quick drawing - don't remember how long - but I was mainly interested in the satiny strap over her shoulder.  It's on toned paper, 12 x 9".  Thanks for visiting!

Guitar Practice - original graphite portrait drawing

 Although I hardly ever use graphite, I had a great time doing this one on Strathmore marker paper that I had to buy for a landscape course.  Maybe y'all have used this paper before, but I never had and was surprised to find it such a delight to draw on.  Even though there's a slick finish - it's great for graphite!  Drawing is my first art language - not painting, really - and I will be doing many more pencil drawings  (used HB, 2 and 4B) on this paper - a great find for me!  Plus, even though the weight is only 50.5 lb, the paper feels much more sturdy. This drawing is 7 x 12".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maiko - original oil pastel portrait of a maiko

I love drawing geisha and maiko. This interest began with a drawing group I attended years ago where there was a model from Japan who often dressed in a kimono when she came to pose for us.  Just about everything they wear and do means something  - it's fascinating to me, so sometimes I go through my old drawings and find something I'd like to take a little further.  This drawing is on 12 x 9" Pastel Premier.  Thanks for looking!
 

Feather Earrings - original oil pastel portrait

 

                                   One of my drawings was accepted for exhibition in the

                                Catharine Lorillard Wolfe online show that can be viewed

                                                        during the month of October.

 I was trying to work with neutrals here to give the red feather earrings more 'pop'.  This piece is painted on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  The great thing about Pastelbord - when working with oil pastels - is that with time, the oil pastels on this support tend to feel dry to touch.  Still, I like to spray with oil pastel fixative several days after the piece is completed.  Thanks for stopping by!

Nude on Black Paper - original oil pastel nude

Ever since my college days where I first encountered life drawing classes, drawing nudes has been my very favorite art thing - could do this all day long and when I have the chance, that's just what I do.  The figure is my true love!  I also adore the mystery of back views.  Anyway, here I drew the outline very lightly, then did a gestural drawing of the model, working over the whole painting very loosely with my Sennelier oil pastels and butting the colors of the figure up against the colors in the background. (Edge battles are even present in oil pastel.)  I really do recommend working on a black support - it's definitely a 

pleasure to use. This piece is about 6 x 8" on black Mixed Media paper by Strathmore.  Thanks for stopping by!
 

The Flamenco Dancer in Profile - original oil pastel portrait

 I started this portrait a few months ago, painted most of the pose, then put it where I passed by several times a day, but sort of forgot about finishing.  And of course, by the time I was inspired to get it done, no model, therefore the memory thing again.  Most of what I lacked was the lace and I actually have some very similar to what she was wearing, so that was lucky.  Done on 12 x 12" Pastelbord, using Sennelier oil pastels.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Scribbled Dancers - original ink figurative drawing

I was watching a movie and this couple was dancing and I just had to draw them.  This was one of those times when drawing from memory came in handy since I had to draw really quickly before the vision left me!  Drawing the action on the TV is one of my favorite practice devices.  Anyway, much fun doing this one, using unforgiving ink and giving my memory a workout.  The ink was a Sharpie ultra fine and a Prismacolor marker on Strathmore Mixed Media matted to about 12 x 8".  Thanks for stopping by!

Little Landscape - original small oil landscape painting

Okay - not really my thing, but was out at the park, sooo. . . .  The canvas is 5 x 4", and that makes it easier.  It's been way above 100 degrees day after day here and being outside was the very last thing on my mind.  It's a little cooler now so I have absolutely no excuses!  The South Llano State Park is beautiful and a treat to visit - just a few miles from Junction so maybe - just maybe - I'll get this landscape painting thing down!  Thanks for stopping by!

Lilia Looking Back - original oil pastel portrait

Not a pose she (or anyone) could hold for the usual 20 minutes at a time, but little by little we got it done.  For this one, I used Pastel Premier sanded pastel, 12 x 9" which is such a wonderful surface for oil pastel.  Also used mostly Sennelier, with a few Caran d'Ache and Craypas Specialists.  I tried with this one to make it more 'finished' and smoother - not so sketchy.  Anyway, much fun to do this painting and Lilia liked it which is always the seal of approval!  Thanks for stopping by!

Lost in the Tango - original oil figurative painting

My little dancers are back and wasting no time!  I tried a more blue background on this painting, with bits of green. I love the way this guy is so in control, which when reflecting on my teenage ballroom dance lessons, is the way it's supposed to be! This one was done on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch of Mei as a Maiko - original charcoal and white drawing

A several month old sketch of Mei, who has posed before as a geisha/maiko, drawn with charcoal and white pencil on Mi-Teintes paper.  I've always loved using the textured side since I think it keeps me from overworking, but for this drawing I used the smooth.  Not sure if this is my best depiction of Mei - and I have a lot of drawings of her - but I am happy with how it turned out.  Thanks for looking!

Drawing of the Model on Black Paper - original oil pastel portrait

It seems like forever since I've posted but I've been working on lots of art - have even done some printmaking with a few monotypes and a drypoint to show for it.   Here's an oldish drawing done on Strathmore black mixed media paper, 12 x 9", using mostly Sennelier and a couple of Caran d'Ache Neopastels and Sakura Specialists.  The black paper is great to work on and I just bought another pad of it to take to the next drawing group I attend.  This was a quick study - my favorite - and while I didn't have a lot of time (to kill it with overworking), I was pretty happy with the results.  Hope you're all staying well and thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of the Model in a Black Robe - original oil pastel figurative

I love when the model is just relaxing - not worrying about maintaining a pose - and waiting until the break is over.  This 11 x 10" oil pastel is done with Sennelier oil pastels on Strathmore acrylic paper, which I like for its "canvasy" pattern and the 246 lb. weight.  Very sturdy!  I also like using this paper for acrylic brush drawings - give it a try.  Thanks for looking!