Seated Nude on Cream Paper - original charcoal life drawing

This drawing was done on a 9 x 12" cream colored paper that was in a stack of my acid-free papers.  I never tire of drawing nudes - that's where I started my formal art journey and I think that's the best way to understand the figure.  It was really hard during the shutdown, so a lot of my drawings are sort of "elderly".  But now life drawing is back and so am I! Thanks for stopping 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!

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!

A Nude for Tuesday - original charcoal drawing

This nude drawing is done on Strathmore drawing paper, 14 x 11".  I also added touches of white hard pastel.  Thanks for looking!

Two Charcoal Nudes - original charcoal drawing of nudes

Two quick charcoal drawings on Strathmore drawing paper,  about 16 x 14".  Thanks for stopping by!

Nude with a Fan - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

Although I spent my day working on some quick landscape studies, I still gravitate to figures, hence this nude that I did a few weeks ago.  My interest in this drawing is the joining of the arm to the back, then the darker lines farther down the arm. It's drawn with General's Peel and Sketch charcoal pencil on Strathmore Mixed Media paper, 8 x 4".   Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend!

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!

Pensive - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This drawing is on multi-media paper, about 8 x 6".  We've had rain here in our little town tonight and it's SO welcome for our parched area!  Since our chances for rain are scheduled to end in May (at least according to lots of weather experts),  I'm even happy to wipe Roger's wet feet when he comes in from a romp in the yard.  Actually, I'm happy to do most anything for Roger - he's getting pretty old, but still the sweetest, most wonderful doggie - and a great example of a rescue dog.  Plus, he's an excellent assistant - lies at my feet to keep my toes warm (when he's not on my lap) and waits patiently for me at my studio while I work.  Love you, Roger!

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!

A Pose from Tuesday - original charcoal drawing of a nude

I dunno - seems a little darker than I usually do - the lines, I mean, but variety is the spice.  There is some restating here - her leg, which I decided was incorrect, is not in the place where I first put it and her right arm - a similar situation.  Oh well - that's what figure drawing is all about.  And the T principle - from Jack Hamm - is ambiguous on her left arm, but that's what I saw and I'm sticking to it.  On 12 x 9" drawing paper.  Thanks for looking!

Trish - original charcoal nude drawing

This charcoal nude is on 12 x 9" Strathmore drawing paper using vine charcoal - drawing is about 9 x 7".  Thanks for looking!

Leaning Nude - original charcoal nude drawing

This nude drawing is a bit of a departure for me because I left a lot of dark lines - sort of more deliberate than usual.  Also didn't have time to finish the leg - the model needed a break (this was a tough pose to hold) and we just never returned to this one.  Back to the "unfinished" leg, which I kind of like - this technique holds promise for the future.  Well, I've actually left parts unfinished before - I completely forget about it and when I do it again, I wake up in a whole new world.  Kind of like finding something in the back of the shed that I'd forgotten about and then it's like a new toy.  I guess drawing techniques work the same way.  I used vine charcoal on Strathmore 12 x 9" drawing paper.  Thanks for looking!

Another Charcoal Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This drawing is from my 8 x 6" sketchbook - thanks for looking!