Jivin' In Black and White - original figurative ink drawing

Meant to post this last night, but I got bogged down on Ancestry.com.  A never-ending mystery - at least my family is!
I did this on 6 x 6" Bristol board paper using a black ink drawing pen.  It's one of those with a narrow tip at one end and the other end is wider - in this case, a Prismacolor. This kind of pen is great for drawing - just so expressive.  Why, that pen helped this little couple dance to Jerry Lee Lewis, so I know they agree with me!
Thanks for looking!

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!

Joanie - original charcoal portrait drawing

I was going to do this in oil paint, but when I realized I just wouldn't have time, it was charcoal to the rescue.  Could probably do a painting from this drawing, but am happy with the charcoal version.  I used vine charcoal and General's Peel n Sketch (I think I've called it Peel n Draw before) on Strathmore 400 Mixed Media paper.  This paper is really versatile - it's 140 lb. and has just the right amount of tooth, although maybe not as easy to erase as I'd like.  But then I'm pretty hard on paper and work and work it 'til it's worn out, so really, there's no paper for me - I should probably work on my technique!
I kind of dreaded doing the hands, especially when there's not much time, but think they worked out okay.  This drawing is about 11 x 8".  I hope to be able to do a painting of Joanie - maybe we can have her as a model again soon.  One can hope.
Thanks for stopping by!

Jive Scribble - original charcoal figurative drawing

Trying to capture the energy here - will probably end up with a little painting from this one.  I did the drawing on Strathmore 14 x 11" Mixed Media paper - actually more of a sketchbook, I think, and I really like using it.  Also used General's Peel n Sketch charcoal pencil.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch for Tango Drama - original charcoal figurative drawing

I love these dramatic moments in tango - tango dancers always dance like they mean it.  And I'm convinced they do! This is drawn on 14 x 11" mixed media paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Ink Folk Dancer - original figurative ink drawing

I was pleased with this one - not easy to draw when someone is dancing - they just go off and leave me working on three or four steps ago.  Funny thing - didn't realize I was drawing on the other side of a jive dancing ink couple that I enjoyed doing - something about her foot that I hadn't captured before, plus a turn in her torso.  I never finished the guy, though, and instead, will probably just use the girl dancer in another drawing or painting.  I love the way these dancers move in and out of my life.  Never know when I'll see them again, but they're always there, just waiting to dance for me.

Both drawings are from my mixed media sketchbook, about 5 x 8".  Thanks for looking!

Woman in a Chair with a Fan - original charcoal figurative sketch

This drawing is one that I hope to turn into a painting - just working out some details.  Actually, she looks a little sad - got to fix that.  Or maybe not.  It's on 14 x 17" Strathmore drawing paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Three Apples - original graphite still life drawing

Now for a total departure.  This is a drawing I did about 20 years ago.  Most of my older drawings - hundreds of them - have ended up in the garbage because I had way too many.  I took photos on my iPhone and will work on paintings from them.  I did keep this one, though, even though it's a bit of a mess with a crease here and there - but the drawing itself is in good condition - because I enjoyed the dry wash technique.  I LOVE black and white drawings and spend more time at exhibitions with the prints and drawings than looking at the paintings.  Hope everyone's having a nice weekend - thanks for looking!  PS.  please check out my oil pastel blog here.

New Pen, New Dancers - original figurative ink drawing

I have a new black Sharpie that doesn't come through the paper and I'm loving it!  Captured these dancers with it - this pen is a keeper!  It's smooth and the although the ink feels so free flowing, it doesn't make a mess.  Well, of course, no Sharpie I ever heard of, does, so this pen continues the grand tradition.  Still, it does have more of an ink feel that the feel of a marker.
This drawing is also an audition for the dancers on the page.  Some will get to stay with me, but as for others, they will have to go back for a few modifications.  See?  You thought I'd say 'drawing board'.  On 5.5 x 8" mixed media paper - thanks for stopping by!

Songbird - original charcoal portrait sketch

I finished this sketch in the allotted time - I think it was 15 minutes - I should have gotten much farther along, but oh well.  If I noodle with it now, it will be ruined, for sure.  The model did a little singing for us and she was really good.  I like knowing more about the models and am so happy when they tell us what they do in their daily lives.  Helps make more of a connection between artist and model.  This charcoal drawing is on Strathmore 12 x 9" pastel 403 paper.  Thanks for looking!

Rapt Attention - original charcoal figurative drawing

I've done a few sketches lately of groups of people and this woman particularly interested me, so I singled her out for a drawing.  She was so interested in what the other two people at the gathering were saying that it was perfect for me.  She (unintentionally) held the pose for a long time and I was able to do a little sketch to work from when I got home.  She likes the drawing, too - always a good sign!  I used a Peel n Sketch charcoal pencil by General Pencil - one of my favorite drawing implements - on Strathmore sketch paper and is about 13 x 12.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Print Dress - original ink portrait drawing

This afternoon I was watching what I guess one would call a 'costume drama', but this 'costume' was definitely not in the movie.  Somehow, though, I just had the urge to draw a print dress and here it is - a little sketch, but very pleasing to do.  Ink is so tricky - this was actually a very thin marker - but you never know until you actually make a mark whether it'll work or not and then it's too late.  Great for drawing training, but still, sometimes best to leave things out, which is what I did here.  Usually, I just go for it and then regret it.  Maybe after all this time, I'm learning that less really is more.  Who knows?  Anyway, it's 8 1/2 x 6" on cold press watercolor paper.  Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday Night Scribbles - original charcoal sketches

Always a fan of using the TV when there's no model nearby, tonight presented some opportunities for sketching.  When the scene changes, or the subject moves, I just concentrate on another "model".  This is one of the great drawing improvers, I think - right up there with drawing in ink.  I feel my drawings got better as I went along - the right-hand side is just looser and more confident.  It's also brighter, since I laid a lot of charcoal on the upper left of the first page.  Still, it's interesting to see how one improves after warming up. My Able Assistant, Roger, was curled up next to me as I drew.  He's recovering from surgery on his paw - but my sweet boy wagged approval with his little stub of a tail when I showed him what I had done.  You just can't keep an Able Assistant down!  Drawn on 14 x 11" pages of mixed media paper.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch for Barrel Racer - original charcoal figurative drawing

I do love barrel racing - here's another sketch from the past summer's rodeo.  It was ready last night, but my internet connection was almost nonexistent, probably because of the storm we had here with all the welcome rain.  This drawing is on 12 x 9" Strathmore Mixed Media paper.  Thanks for stopping by! SOLD

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!

Jacee's Stance - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

I loved this assertive pose - wish I'd had more time on it, but just grateful to be able to draw from this excellent model.  They don't grow on trees, unfortunately.  This drawing is about 12 x 8" - thanks for stopping by!

Sketch for Torrid Tango - original charcoal figurative drawing

Loving the tango as I do, it's always fun to draw or paint dancers of this emotional and elegant dance.  Well, I'm not so sure this is pose could be called elegant, but it's definitely emotional!  It's matted to about 14 x 11 1/2".  Thanks for stopping by!

Charcoal Nude Looking Away - original charcoal drawing of a nude

Love these back views - last one for awhile, I promise.  On 8 x 6" mixed media paper - it's 100 lb. and really nice.  Thanks for looking!

Another Standing Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This is one of my favorite poses and when the model takes it, I am always thrilled.  Standing poses, especially back views, are so beautiful.  I love the touch of mystery in a back view.  For this drawing, I used one of those charcoal pencils that you peel with a string - maybe there's a fancier name for them - on 8 x 6" Strathmore multi-media paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

More Crazy Ink Jivers - original ink figurative drawing

Scribble, scribble, scribble and there they are - away for awhile, but they're back.  I miss them when they're gone, so I make sure to keep in touch.  I love drawing with ink, whether a more precise drawing, or a scribbly one like this (about 14 x 9 1/2" on Strathmore drawing paper) - hope you like it.  Thanks for stopping by!