Chess Game - Original oil pastel portrait drawing

 Kind of intense game between these two and I had to make my move while I could.  I'm always so happy to have models even if that's not what they had in mind!  I scribbled this one on 16 x 20" Canson Mi-Teintes board with Sennelier oil pastels.  It was so rewarding to draw quickly without thinking - just one's reaction to the model(s) is really deeply satisfying.  Same way with the "Seated Nude #45"  that I posted a day or so ago.  Somehow looseness (is that a word?) in artwork is so gratifying for

me.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Seated Nude #45 - original charcoal figurative drawing

More loose and fun for me than usual.   About 6 x 5" on toned gray Strathmore paper.  I'm working on some 4 x 4" paintings and other   

pieces that if they work out okay, I'll post in a couple of days.  Drawings are my thing, though, and I'm really enjoying doing these.  And there are life drawing groups online that I've been "attending".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

More Jivers - Original Figurative Drawing

 This 11 x 14" charcoal and ink drawing on Bristol board was a challenge because of the woman's turn of her leg - always kind of tough to depict, but I'm happy with how it turned out.  Just put on the music and drew these two jivers - much fun! I teetered on overworking this piece but held off - thanks for stopping by!

"Maiko #5 "- original oil pastel portrait

I did this painting with Caran d'Ache and Sennelier oil pastels on black mixed media 7 x 5" paper.  A maiko is a very young woman who is training to become a geisha. These young women have so much to learn of which every bit is fascinating to me.  I do get to draw from life a few Japanese models dressed as geishas and it is such a thrill!  I so enjoyed doing this one - thanks for stopping by!
 

"Just A Little Ink Sketch"- original ink life drawing of a nude

Not an easy pose to hold with the feet in that position and one arm over the other - just increases my respect for models!  I used a Sharpie pen to 'feel' the model and since the lines this left around the subject couldn't be erased, they're still there.  Actually I think it gives an interesting look of lightness to the drawing - resulting, I think, from using the Sharpie Ultra Fine Point - the lines are so fine that they are not a distraction from the drawing.  Drawn on Strathmore 90 lb Mixed Media paper, it's about 7 1/2 x 3 1/2".  Thanks for stopping by!  Click here for a bit of Sharpie history.
 

The Model Napping - original oil pastel portrait drawing

 Such a relaxing pose for the model - she couldn't help nodding off - especially since there had been a couple of hard poses before this one.  This drawing helps me to blend my love of line with a painted part of the piece - there's always a dilemma regarding exactly how much to describe with paint vs. line drawing  and I could have crossed the line (pun) 😀with painting more of the hair.  If I'd done any more, I might have needed to go ahead and paint the whole piece.  Just one of those things you never know until you've actually done it - so I stopped - maybe 'quitting while I'm ahead'?  I don't know, just did.  This one is on Canson pastel paper on the rough side, which I didn't realize - just had that urge to grab the paper and get started.  Actually, though, it's done with Caran d'Ache Neocolor 1- which I love - and then a bit of "touching" with Caran d'Ache oil pastel.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Bedtime Braid - original oil pastel portrait

 This 12 x 9" oil pastel was done on Strathmore black mixed media paper, which is great for oil pastel.  I liked the casual - kind of messy - way she wove the ribbons into her hair.  This started with a live pose, but like so many, ended up with a photo.  Oh well, one does what one can😕 Thanks for stopping by!

Sketchbook Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude

I was attempting to draw the model without much modeling.  It was kind of slow work since there was no gesture drawing as I usually do.  Loved the heck out of doing this one!  It's about 10 x 14" - thanks for looking!

The Student - original charcoal portrait drawing

Here's a 14 x 11" drawing of a young woman done on Strathmore toned paper, using General Pencil Company's EuroBlend charcoal pencils and vine charcoal. Hope y'all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Ivy - original watercolor with ink painting of ivy

I was looking out my window and decided to do this little jar of ivy in the window.  After doing the leaves, I decided they needed a few lines - I'm a line lover - so I took out my ballpoint and added lines here and there.  It was early morning when I did this one and it was fun to start my day with this little piece - about 8 1/2 x 5 1/2".  Thanks for stopping by!

Three Nudes - ballpoint pen sketch

One of those drawings I like to do at drawing groups - putting three figures over each other.  I like that there's no time to fix things, but just record my response to the model.  When I do these kinds of drawings, I always leave with a sense of accomplishment - even more than when I've done a fairly successful painting.  Not sure what that says about me and am not going to try and analyze, but just go with it.  I matted this to about 10 x 7".  Thanks for looking!

Tango in Orange - original acrylic figurative painting

I saw this "pose" once at a tango demo - it was a slight pause, then she spun away.  I thought it was such a sweet moment.  This painting was done on Strathmore acrylic paper - tough, heavy and great to work with and also good for oil pastel.  Although it's on 12 x 12" paper, I matted this piece to about 11 x 9". 
Currently, I'm trying to organize my art supplies  - and have come to the conclusion that I'm a "paperholic".  I really do love paper - have all kinds, watercolor, oil, oil pastel, charcoal, soft pastel, printmaking and even paper with inclusions in it - but I do wish I hadn't loved it quite as much as I have!
Really glad you stopped by😀

Nude on Grey #3 - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

I love drawing nudes - especially in charcoal which is such a responsive and forgiving medium.  Vine charcoal - soft and extra soft - are my favorites, although I find harder charcoal sticks useful, too, mainly when turned on the side for shapes and shading.  Just not compressed charcoal - that's a whole other thing, which I've been using recently for black and white landscapes. "Nude on Grey #3" is on Strathmore's Pastel Paper, which is no longer good for oil pastel, but very nice for charcoal and regular pastels.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

How I Cope Until the Muse Comes - figurative/portrait sketches

While waiting for inspiration, I sketch from the TV - here are a few of the dozens of these little things that I have lying around.  This approach demands drawing quickly, but since subjects will move right in the middle of the sketch, I am challenged to do a lot of memory drawing or pretty much just leave them unfinished.  Lots of fun for me and good training until I am moved to draw something to really get wrapped up in.😀  Thanks for stopping by!

Elisa's Pose - charcoal drawing of a nude model

Back to one of my favorites - the nude model.  Adding to the challenge of this piece is foreshortening - mainly of the leg - and drawing the foot.  Both require a good bit of study.  I did this with vine charcoal on warm white drawing paper, about 12 x 18".  Thanks for looking!

Braids - charcoal portrait drawing of the model

The braids were a real challenge, but in the end, I was pleased.  I used vine charcoal on some really old Grumbacher drawing paper that I found in the back of the closet.  Grumbacher hasn't made drawing paper in years, so this paper is definitely vintage, but because it's acid-free, still wonderful to work on.  17 x 14".  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - original oil pastel profile in progress

Much to do on this piece, and since I love drawing profiles, it'll be a pleasure,  It's on Colourfix paper, 16 x 20".  Thanks for looking!

Watercolor Portrait - w/c practice

Okay, here's another watercolor portrait - gotta get in there and try, ya know.  Although I do have some fairly successful w/c landscapes, this medium mostly eludes me in portrait work, even after studying with a fabulous w/c portrait painter, it's still a struggle - maybe because I do it so seldom. One should approach these challenges more than, say, once a year.  This one is 12 x 9" on cold press paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Country Music - original charcoal figurative

This drawing started out as a gesture sketch from life at a dance, then I just filled it in with vine charcoal and the occasional swipe of my kneaded eraser.  Really, it is like the silhouette drawing exercise, which I think is so effective for showing each part of the figure in relation to everything else.  Charcoal on pastel paper, 12 x 9".  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of Heather - pastel pencil portrait drawing

One of my favorite poses - the model is looking over her shoulder, although it's a tough pose to hold.  Heather has the most beautiful coloring - always a pleasure to draw her.  I used my Caran d'Ache pastel pencils on 12 x 9" tinted pastel paper.  Thanks so much for stopping by!