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!

Sunday Sketchbook - black and white sketchbook drawings

This page is one I worked on today - mostly plants, for some odd reason, but that's what I was mainly seeing, I guess.  This is just one of three sketchbook pages I did.  It's about 8 1/2 by 11", well, probably a bit more with the spiral.  The tree is water-soluble pencil, and everything else is vine charcoal.  Thanks so much for looking!  

Curlicues - original ink drawing

Since I haven't posted in awhile - busy with lots of happy things - here is an ink drawing of an ironwork balcony I did earlier in the summer.  It's about 9 x 5 1/2" - thanks for stopping by!

Nude on Aqua Paper - original nude drawing

Here's one I drew a few months ago on aqua paper, using colored pencils.  Great model to work with, too!  It's about 12 x 5 1/2".  Thanks for looking!

Gina At The Bar - original graphite portrait drawing

I got busy with a graphite pencil, which I seldom do - I guess because charcoal is more forgiving - and drew from an old sketch on tan toned paper.  It's about 8 x 5 1/2".  The white accents are General's Primo white charcoal pencil.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of Shelley - original charcoal portrait drawing

I did this little sketch on 10 x 8" Strathmore 403 paper.  I'll consider it finished, especially since the model loved it and will probably buy it.  Although this was mostly vine charcoal, I had forgotten how nice it is to have nice sharp charcoal pencils - in this case General's Primo and the Ritmo brand pencil I used many years ago.  I wasn't able to find Ritmo for such a long time, but it's back and as good as ever.  But I think my favorite now is the Primo - really deep blacks and a smooth application - very nice charcoal pencil.  Thanks so much for visiting!

Red, White and Blue Jive - original mixed media figurative drawing

Just a fun drawing using a little of this, a little of that - specifically, ink, watercolor, colored pencil, oil pastel. Quick and a pleasure to do - no looking back. I loved her position, looking back at him, who seems to be in another world.  It's on 6 x 8" mixed media paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch for "Formal" - original charcoal figurative drawing

I came across a formal dress that might work in my figure drawings and decided to sketch the model in it.  Maybe this drawing is one that will end up as a painting - we'll see.  I'll post it if the painting works out.  My Able Assistant, Roger, is recovering from eyelid surgery and he isn't able to assist as much as usual, so I've been a little slow in getting new drawings/paintings done.  Amazing how one relies on one's helpers!  This drawing is about 16 x 14" - thanks for looking!

The Pitch - original charcoal figurative drawing

I've been obsessed with this left-handed pitcher thing - I suppose you can tell - and I'm getting closer to what I'm looking for - such joy when that happens!  This drawing is on 11 x 14" Strathmore paper. It is ridiculously late, but really couldn't sleep without getting this to a certain point.  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!

Tango Shorthand - original ink figurative drawing

I came across this 7 x 5" ink drawing today - I think it's on watercolor paper - and don't even remember making it.  I know I have used this pose - if you can tell there's a pose here (haha) - in paintings, but being such a fan of squiggly line drawings, this little piece just makes me smile.  Thanks for stopping by!