A Little Drawing Exercise - original charcoal figurative drawing

I know.  This is just a teensy bit weird, but everything is either not finished, or not dry enough to photograph without very shiny spots.   These tiny drawings are great drawing improvers, I think, and every time I attend a drawing group, I do some of these - they're perfect for positive/negative.  The whole thing is about 14 x 14", so you have some idea of how small the individual drawings are.  They're done on Canson Beverly drawing paper, which probably isn't produced anymore.  I have lots of drawing paper on hand - some from years ago - that I'm sorry I can't find in stores these days.
We still have the fire in our county - it's about four miles from our small town - and it's really unnerving.  Sincere thanks to all the firefighters who are battling the blaze - they must be exhausted by now.  We are so fortunate to have our local firemen, plus selfless volunteers from around the area and the Texas and U.S. Forest Services and other government agencies to defend against this monster.  It has burned over 10,000 acres and we are hoping it can be contained soon.  It hasn't helped that we've had over 100 degree temps and 30 mph winds.  What a summer this is going to be!
Thanks so much stopping by - it's always great to see you here!  Sold

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!

Four One-Minutes - original charcoal life drawing by Connie Chadwell

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Hi everybody! I was away for a few days and haven't posted in awhile, but am currently working on more paintings.

This drawing is from a series of one-minute gestures that I did in a life drawing session I attended last week.

There is nothing like drawing from life! I draw people every day, but usually it's just someone who's going about his or her daily routine, so it's always a pleasure to have a professional model in front of me.

These quick charcoal gestures are on 18 x 24" Strathmore drawing paper.

Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Late Supper - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

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This oil painting is 6 x 6 " on Gessobord. Thanks for stopping by!

Flamenco Rhythm - original oil figurative painting

Flamenco - another Latin dance I love - really wonderful when the stomping is fast (I think it's called 'buleria'). Anyway, it's exciting to see and hear. This painting is 10 x 8" on linen panel. Thanks for visiting my blog!

Tango Fever - original oil figurative painting

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Ah, tango - the passion, the elegance - I never tire of it. I keep working to truly capture on board or canvas what I feel about this dance.

This painting is 8 x 6" - canvas on panel. Thank you for stopping by.

"Tango Lovers Again" - original oil figurative painting

My favorite subject - the romance of tango. This painting is 7 x 5" on gessoed panel. Thanks for stopping by! SOLD

Valentines - original oil pastel figurative painting

This oil pastel on Pastelbord is 7 x 5". I loved doing this one and am very happy you stopped by! SOLD

Friday Evening - original oil pastel figurative painting

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More from my bar series - this was a Friday after hours scene, cozy and very friendly. It's 11 x 14" oil pastel on Pastelbord. Thanks for looking.

Venus and Mars - original oil figure painting

Ahh, the eternal struggle - you know - the one that makes the world go 'round. This painting is 7 x 5" on Ampersand Gessobord. Thanks so much for visiting my blog! SOLD

Liza, Reclining - oil pastel figure painting

I did this painting on Ampersand Pastelbord, which is a really amazing surface. Even though I apply lots and lots of oil pastel and the support seems loaded, in a few days it feels dry. When working this quickly, I don't work in layers and don't scrape or wipe any of the oil pastel off before applying more - it's just really thick. I'm partial to a fairly raw finish, so I leave the strokes visible.

"Liza, Reclining" is 7 x 5". Thanks for visiting my blog!

Promises - original oil painting by Connie Chadwell

They only had eyes for each other. The painting is 6 x 6" on Ampersand Gessobord. Thanks for looking! SOLD

Jivedoodles - charcoal gesture drawings

This was a fun exercise in quick drawing - the kind that uses memory, because of course, these figures were moving really fast. I love gestures and think that if you get the gesture, you're successful, even if you don't "finish" the piece. It's worth practicing to get drawings done very quickly. I don't think I'm even thinking when I do this, but instead, just reacting to what I see. Try it - it's fun! SOLD

These little figures were done on Strathmore 18 x 24" paper with vine charcoal. Thanks for visiting my blog!