Scibbled Nude - original ink drawing of a nude

I'm planning to use this drawing for something else - a painting, or maybe a drypoint etching (my latest obsession) - but the best laid plans and all that.  It was fun working on patterned paper.  This drawing is about 7 1/2 x 7 1/2", using an ultra fine point Sharpie.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

More Black and White Tango - original charcoal figurative sketch

This sketch will be the underlayer for a painting. I've not used this approach very much, but I know artists who do this - spray fixative on it and then paint over the drawing. Using this method should make the painting practically paint itself. This pose with the outside leg extending back is really a difficult one, because it's not very easy to make obvious which leg is in back, which is in front. While I'm pretty pleased with this one, I still may make changes in the painting as I work. This sketch is on 7 x 5" Gessobord.

Thanks so much for stopping by - check out my post on The Oil Pastel Review. If you'd like to email, just click on the "contact me" button on the right side of my blog.

Sketch of a Couple - original figurative charcoal sketch

Here's a sketch of a couple I was able to observe today - I was sitting some distance away and without my glasses, but I think I got the jist of the thing.  I know what I think was going on, but will leave it open to interpretation.  This will be a painting soon.
Yesterday, at the National Gallery here in London, I found a Vuillard painting I had not known about - The Earthenware Pot - and I love it!  Can't get it out of my mind. 
This drawing is on sketch paper, about 7 x 9", using General's Primo charcoal pencils.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch of a Girl Studying a Painting - original charcoal figurative drawing

Okay.  I know it's not colorful and the lines aren't in the right places and I just left original lines, rather than erase them.  But, the curve of her back was irresistible and I had to get it down right then and there.  This will become a painting in the coming weeks.  The girl was completely absorbed in what she was seeing - 17th century paintings, I think.  You know how it is when there's something before you that speaks to your soul.  This little drawing is charcoal pencil on 6 x 6" Bristol board.  Thanks for dropping by!

Tango Flirt - original oil figurative painting

This couple was both graceful and athletic - thrilling to watch!  The painting is on 7 x 5"  Gessobord.

At the risk of boring you with my shorthand sketches, I thought I'd put some on this post, anyway.  These were done at the local swimming pool, while I was there with my grandchildren.  It's amazing the energy the little boys had - they were tireless in the games they played.  These drawings are definitely from memory, because the second I put pencil to paper, they had zoomed on to something else.  There are lots of these, but you're in luck - I'm just posting a few of them.  I don't imagine anyone else can tell what's going on in these sketches except me.  There's just enough information to remind me of the angle of the head or the foreshortening of the arms, especially (it's probably impossible to see) the hands of the little boy as he releases the ball.  My eyes just zeroed in on his hands and I got them - tough to see, I know, but the little sketch speaks volumes to me. 

I guess everyone has his or her own "shorthand" and it's particularly useful when working with figures in action, like these little fellows. 

Thanks so much for stopping by - I'm always glad to see you here!