"Sleep" - original oil pastel portrait

Models often go to sleep on the job.  Just imagine how boring modeling can be.  A bit surprising, though, when it happens during a short pose.  This model was wearing a hugely fluffy garment and maybe got a bit warm.  Anyway, she snoozed a little.  I totally don't mind if a model takes a little nap when posing - I might well do the same if I were the model and completely still for 20 minutes with really quiet surroundings. This piece is done on Strathmore mixed media paper that I painted over with gray acrylic, then used oil pastels for the drawing.  It's about 5 x 4".  Thanks for stopping by!
 

Della - original charcoal and pastel portrait

This drawing is one that I think will end up as a painting.  Her solemn demeanor appealed to me so much  - didn't have enough time to add more details and maybe that's a good thing since her face and hair seem to be the most important.  But we'll see. Sometimes when I turn things into a painting, there's a totally different result - probably happens to y'all sometimes too - right?  I did this on Strathmore 12 x 9" toned blue paper, using General Pencil Co Peel and Sketch charcoal, plus their compressed pastels.  Thanks for stopping by!

Hmmm - original oil pastel portrait painting

 This 8 x 10" drawing on Canson mixed media board is a mostly fun thing for me - I drew it from an old drawing of a model, but then added the dark blue-green next to the orange glints in her hair just because I wanted to - artist's choice, right? - then added a grey and white version of my favorite wallpaper.  

More on the wallpaper - I have been looking for that paper for ages for my entrance hall - the background is a medium green and it's probably from the 30s or 40s - good luck with finding any of that!  Plus it would definitely not be strippable, so I'm actually toying with the idea of just painting the wall instead.  Making those stripes will get pretty tedious, though.

Back to "Hmmm" - when I originally drew the model, she had briefly been looking at something going on to her right in the drawing group.  It's been so long now that I don't remember what it was, but I was lucky to capture her while she was looking toward the "activity".   That has happened a lot in my drawing adventures.  My teacher, Priscilla Treacy, taught her students to get it down in three minutes - I don't mean every pore or detail, but the gist of the drawing.  So, there have been many times when the model hasn't completely settled into her pose (and maybe gotten a little sleepy),  that I've been able to grab that very first expression. Thank you Priscilla! In this drawing, I felt that the model was thinking critically about the conversation to her right, hence the title "Hmmm".  

Reluctant Vera - original oil portrait sketch

Here's one from a drawing group where the model didn't show, and in those cases, everybody takes a turn as the model - or most everybody, since I think I avoided it that time - so I call this one 'Reluctant Vera', because she wasn't thrilled to be the model, but she was a good one, nevertheless.  Drawing group attendees who have to replace the model soon find out how really tough it is to be a model - staying completely still for 20 minutes at a time, then trying to get back into the same exact position after the break.  Models earn every bit of their pay! 

I used mostly Gamblin and Blue Ridge paints and a couple of Grumbachers on this piece.  I shouldn't use a lot of colors, because as one of my painting teachers told me, I always turn everything into a basic limited palette which I did on this one except for the blue, so I think I'll just save the money and go back to the four or five colors.  😀 Thanks for stopping by!

The Flamenco Dancer in Profile - original oil pastel portrait

 I started this portrait a few months ago, painted most of the pose, then put it where I passed by several times a day, but sort of forgot about finishing.  And of course, by the time I was inspired to get it done, no model, therefore the memory thing again.  Most of what I lacked was the lace and I actually have some very similar to what she was wearing, so that was lucky.  Done on 12 x 12" Pastelbord, using Sennelier oil pastels.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Sketch of Libby - oil pastel portrait drawing

On Colourfix 16 x 12" smooth pastel paper, my usual lament - not enough time.  Actually, though, I think since I'm a devout over-worker, it really is enough time for me.  Can't do any more when the time's up, thank goodness.  Thanks for looking!

Red Hat - original oil pastel portrait

Here's one that I did on 12 x 9" grey Pastelbord.  Great model - didn't get to finish it, though, before the time was up, but I am happy with it.  Thanks for looking!

Melissa - original oil pastel portrait

This fairly quick little 7 x 5" portrait on Pastelbord was fun for me because I didn't really draw it first - just colored the shapes I wanted and the model and I were very pleased with how it turned out.  It captures her personality, I think - sorry for bragging a bit, but portraits can be hit or miss and when you get a hit, it really feels good!  Thanks for looking!

Jessye - oil portrait sketch

This quick 12 x 9" oil sketch was done on Gessobord - I kind of like the effect of neutrals (which are beautiful in their own right) with a bit of color.  Thanks for looking!
                             

Drawing with My Fingertip IPhone Art - portrait drawing

Something to do while waiting - drawing on my iPhone - usually I just use it to remind me of a scene, but occasionally I get brave and post one to my blog.  It's just fun - never know how it'll turn out, but I guess that's the way with just about everything. 😊

Lou as Cleopatra - original oil pastel portrait

It's great when models dress up in historical garb and sometimes they even take on the personality of their character.  Lou is this kind of model - she was very regal while she sat for us.  Well, Cleopatra, after all.  I used mostly Sennelier oil pastels, with a few Caran d'Ache on Colourfix 12 x 9" smooth pastel paper in Fresh Grey.  Thanks for stopping by!

Painting from Memory Practice - plus what I'm working on

Every now and then I like to try my hand at painting a likeness of someone I observed, but not a person I actually drew or photographed - so here's a little acrylic painting done on a 5 x 4" canvas.  Am reasonably pleased with it.  And here's a quick little watercolor sketch that I'm using as a "pattern" for an 8 x 8" painting.  I did the first pass in not too realistic acrylic colors, but will probably finish the piece in oils.  It being spring, I'm so busy planting and enjoying the lovely weather - hope it's nice where you are!  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Pondering - oil pastel portrait painting

I asked this young woman to hold the pose while I took a picture to work on back at my studio.  As much as I really like going to drawing groups, I wish I could get so many of the people I see to come and pose for me.  That way I would be able to control the pose, the lighting, etc.  Oh well, one just does the best one can.  And I actually was happy with her pose, fleeting though it was.  Not really finished with this one, yet, but getting close.  It's on 12 x 9" gritty paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sandi - oil pastel portrait

Sandi sat snuggled in her sweater while she posed and I really loved drawing her.  I used acrylic paper with a blue acrylic paint for the background.  Then I used mostly Senneliers and a few Caran d'Ache oil pastels to capture her sweet expression.  It's 12 x 12".  Thanks for stopping by!

3 Lisas - oil pastel portrait sketch of model in 3 views

I could probably just as well call this 'Just Foolin' Around' since that's what I was doing - searching for a way to do different views of the same model.  One sketch I used to love doing was the model in different values.  Maybe tomorrow.  Just wanted to share this 11 x 14" oil pastel portrait on Canson black drawing paper.  Thanks for looking!

The Model in a Green Flowered Dress - original watercolor portrait painting

Every now and then I come across my Yupo and decide to fool around with watercolor.  I didn't do this one from life, but from a photo I took at a drawing group.  I really think I'm going to get brave enough to take my w/c stuff to the next group and see what I come up with - haven't done that in ages.  Actually, the background is a little bit whiter than the photo shows - done on 9 x 12" Yupo.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Fortune Teller - original oil pastel portrait painting

Here is the mostly finished piece from an earlier post, click here to see the beginning.  Will do a bit more on this drawing/painting (never exactly sure what to call my things).  I love profiles!  Thanks for looking!

Her Suspicious Look - original oil pastel portrait drawing

The same shirt on this model as "Profile" from two posts ago, but with entirely different results.  I didn't know if her look was boredom or suspicion, so I went with suspicion.  This piece is oil pastel over acrylic paint on Strathmore acrylic paper, 12 x 12".  Thanks for visiting Hackberry Street Studio!

Watercolor Portrait - w/c practice

Okay, here's another watercolor portrait - gotta get in there and try, ya know.  Although I do have some fairly successful w/c landscapes, this medium mostly eludes me in portrait work, even after studying with a fabulous w/c portrait painter, it's still a struggle - maybe because I do it so seldom. One should approach these challenges more than, say, once a year.  This one is 12 x 9" on cold press paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Mary - original oil pastel portrait painting

On this portrait of Mary, (who looks a little sad, but I think it's just boredom) I used acrylic paint on Strathmore acrylic paper, then drew over it with oil pastel.  I try to have some of these acrylic painted sheets on hand, just in case.  If you haven't tried the paper, it's really great - 246 lb. and with a canvas-like texture, it works for lots of painting and drawing materials.  This piece is 12 x 9" - thanks for stopping by!