On My Easel - Wanna Dance - original charcoal figurative sketch

With this drawing, I was searching for the right casual approach by the woman.  Since I photographed this sketch, though, I have decided to do the painting with only her hand on his shoulder.  Will post the painting when I'm through.  It's fun to go through all the possibilities and work out the right approach.  This drawing is on 12 x 9" pastel paper.  Thanks for looking!

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!

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!

Country Evening - original figurative oil painting

Another evening of dancing Texas' favorite dance - the two step.   I paint endless images of this dance, and never tire of it.  And I love to play country music while I work.  Today I listened to Bob Wills, the great country musician who is remembered for his western swing music.  Waylon Jennings' song "Bob Wills Is Still The King" is absolutely right!  (I don't think the Bob Wills site has music, but it can be found many places on the internet.)   I used stretched portrait canvas for this - very smooth and so easy to work on.   It's 10 x 8" - 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!

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!

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!

Red Skirt Redux - original oil figurative painting

Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking - like when I originally posted Red Skirt.  Often when I return from a show/performance/drawing group, I don't include the atmosphere - like in the original of this painting.  I prefer working from my sketches rather than photos, but I need to pay more attention to the surroundings, not just the subject.  It's kind of difficult when caught up in the moment and trying to get everything down - but I must get back to making notes on the 'feeling' of the place.  So - here's a painting more like the way I saw the performance.  I darkened the background and now I'm much much happier with this piece.  It's on 16 x 12" panel.  Thanks for looking - and listening!

Volleyball Shorthand - original ink figurative drawing

I took my sketchbook to a volleyball game and made several gesture drawings - of course, some are a little easier to decipher than others.  I will post a few of them over a few weeks time.  Gesture drawings are made to capture the energy and movement of the figure - they're not intended to be complete or finished, but they can provide so much information that more finished works can be drawn or painted from the gesture.

This drawing is on a Strathmore sketchbook page.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

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!

Basket of Flowers - original oil pastel figurative painting

This painting is done on 7 x 5" Pastelbord, using Sennelier oil pastels.  Thank you for visiting my blog!

More Two-Step Sweet Talk - original figurative oil painting

I was just cruising around the internet, checking on Texas dancehalls, with nothing much in mind, and found several articles and ratings on these great places.  Click here to read about ten of them.
This painting is on 6x6" Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Piano Practice - original oil pastel figurative painting

This is painted on 8 x 10" Pastelbord, using Sennelier oil pastels.  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - figurative oil sketch

Here's a sketch that I wish I'd had more time on, but that's always my lament.  Hope I get another chance with this pose.  It's 9 x 12" on Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Searching for the Right Word - original oil pastel figurative

I was trying to make a composition with variety in the background - but don't know if I succeeded.  And tried not to make the model too abstract, nor too realistic.  I sound like Jackie Mason.  But you get what I mean about the painting, right?  It's on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  I love that stuff - could kiss it.  Thanks for stopping by!

Flamenco Sketch - original charcoal figurative drawing

Here's a sketch of a flamenco dancer done in charcoal on Strathmore drawing paper.  This drawing is about 8 x 14".  Have been watching "Great Artists of the Italian Renaissance" from The Great Courses.  It's just wonderful and the instructor makes what could just bore one to death, very interesting.  I've listened to and watched many of their offerings and recommend them highly.  Thank you for stopping by  (Originally, my drawing was cropped in the photo to 8 x 8", but I like it this size a lot more.  Always a fan of portraits and figures in a horizontal format.)

Clara's Pnk Sweater - original oil pastel portrait drawing

I love horizontal portrait paintings - in this one, the model was sitting with her arm along the back of the sofa with an oscillating fan blowing on her (hence the hair flying out behind her) - just got started working and it was so satisfying to scribble madly with the lipsticky Sennelier oil pastels on Pastelbord, seldom stopping to add a lot of detail.  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - Her Sketchbook - original charcoal portrait drawing in progress

She really seems pleased with her artwork and I'm looking forward to working on this some more and getting it finished - much to do, though, to get to that point.  Thanks for stopping by!

Waiting Again - original oil pastel figurative

I hope he shows.  This oil pastel is on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thanks for looking - have a great weekend!

Lady with a Fan - original oil pastel figurative

This oil pastel is on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thanks for stopping by!