Black and White Variety - drawings from life

Here are some of my life drawing efforts - mostly quick pieces, which are my favorite.  I learn a lot from this kind of work even if I don't finish and there are mistakes because it sharpens my drawing skills.  I used Sharpies and charcoal on these fun pieces.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Jive Scribbles #5 - charcoal figurative drawings

I left the far right dancers totally unfinished - or maybe just barely begun.  The drawing is vine charcoal on Strathmore Windpower recycled drawing paper, 11 x 14".  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Geisha on Aquamarine - original charcoal portrait drawing

The paper is actually a slightly warmer shade of aqua, but it's difficult to get it to display perfectly.  This drawing is on Fabriano Tiziano aquamarine, about 8 x 8".  I love different kinds, colors, brands, etc., of paper and have such fun learning the qualities of each when I use them for my drawings.  This one has a slight tooth, and the color - ahhhh the color - is so gorgeous! Thanks for stopping by!

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!

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!

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!

Sketch of a Girl Sleeping - original charcoal figurative drawing

The paper is really a little whiter than the photo shows, but anyway, here's a drawing I did of a young girl who just couldn't stay awake any longer.  It's on 14 x 17" Strathmore drawing paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Joanna - original charcoal drawing of a nude

Another nude - this one in charcoal - about 16 x 12" on Strathmore drawing paper; thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - Sketch for Flamenco Guitar - original charcoal figurative drawing in progress

Here's the plan - I will paint this in oil, with a few minor changes and it will be wonderful.  In my dreams.  (Picture of me with mouth curved down).  The same pose, more or less, is on my oil pastel blog today.  Usually since I'm such a 'drawer', the drawing or sketch is better than the resulting painting.  Maybe this time it'll be different!  Did this on 12 x 9" Canson illustration paper using a Prang charcoal pencil - the kind with the string - and I loved it!  It has a wonderful feel to it and covers well and quickly.  Thanks for stopping by!

Charcoal Two Step - original charcoal figurative drawing

Maybe they're dancing to Ray Price or Hank Thompson - some of the best country music ever for the two step.  I just gave the tinted paper another try in a different way - usually I would just use it for nude drawings, but I did really enjoy it in this case, too.  The pencils were General charcoal pencils soft and extra soft, plus General Primo white charcoal.  The size is about 12 x 9".  Thank you for stopping by!

Nude in Charcoal - original charcoal drawing of a nude

The essence of drawing for me is the nude - humans are beautiful and I never tire of drawing them.  This one is about 11 x 3 1/2".  Thanks for looking!

Flamenco in Charcoal Again - original charcoal figurative drawing

I bravely decided to challenge myself with a bit of foreshortening (her right arm).  This was drawn on 14 x 11" Strathmore drawing paper, but matted to about 13 x 9".  Thanks for visiting my blog!