On My Easel - watercolor portrait experiment

After I finished painting today, I decided to get out my pan watercolors and try painting from a drawing.  Not too experienced in watercolor, I ended up spilling the little pans all over the floor and didn't remember where each was supposed to go.  The reds and yellows were easy, but the darks - each time I dipped my brush in a dark, the color was a complete surprise.  Never did find cerulean, but I know it's there somewhere.  This is on 11 x 14" Yupo, which seems to be a lot like painting on gesso or white gouache in the lifting technique - although I didn't really do much lifting.  It was fun and I'm thinking of using it with my ink markers in dancer drawings.  Thanks so much for looking!

Favorite Table - original oil figurative painting

This painting is on 7 x 5" panel - thanks for looking!

Penny With Her Robe - original oil painting of a nude

This painting is on 10 x 8" stretched canvas.  Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!Sold

Cozy - original oil figurative painting

This painting is on 8 x 8" Gessobord. It's still very, very wet, and I don't know if I'm really through with it, but anyway, this is what I did today. Thanks for looking! SOLD

The Oriental Fan - original oil figurative painting

I love fans - they're so expressive and meaningful in so many cultures.  Right now, I also love them because they help keep me cool in this steamy Texas weather.  This painting is on stretched canvas, 12 x 9".  Thanks for looking!  Sold

The Embroidered Blouse - original oil pastel portrait painting

This oil pastel painting is on 9 x 12" Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jivers - original mixed media figurative drawing

More fun for this little couple.  This drawing began with ink, then Neocolor I, and finished with oil pastel.  It's on 12 x 12" Bristol board paper.  Thanks so much for looking!

A Little Tango Step - original oil figurative painting

This painting is 7 x 5" on Gessobord and I was pleased with it because I thought it fairly painterly.  I always think of myself as a 'line' person, so painting is actually a second language for me.  Does anyone else feel they are either a 'line' or a 'shape' person?  When I heard first heard that idea, it made perfect sense to me.  What do y'all think?  Line or shape?  Anyone out there who's both?
Thank you for visiting Hackberry Street Studio - I am delighted when you drop by! 
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Making Her Move - original oil pastel figurative painting

 

I love attempting skin tones with oil pastels - a little of this, a little of that.  Blues and greens are so beautiful in skin - I often catch myself staring when I find them. For instance, I probably look a little weird looking intently at another shopper while I'm standing in the grocery checkout line, but how else will I learn?  I'm going to get a reputation! 

This painting is on Colourfix paper, 9 x 12".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Check out The Oil Pastel Review

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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!

A Little Snooze - original oil figurative painting

What's better than reading a good book, with little nap breaks?  This 8 x 10" is on Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Tango Drama - original oil figurative painting

A hot dance for a hot night - at least here in the Texas Hill Country, where it's very warm and humid tonight.  This painting is on 6 x 6" panel - thanks so much for stopping by!

Tango Charm - original oil figurative painting

More of my love affair with the tango.  This one is oil on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Can't be away from this dance for too long.  Thanks for stopping by! SOLD
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Elena - original oil portrait painting

This painting was done today and is totally wet, but I decided to go ahead and post it.  Live dangerously, I say.  It's on 6 x 6" Gessobord. 
I've been hearing that some oil painters switch to acrylics during the summer, especially here in the Southwest - am wondering if any of you are doing that.  Hope you're staying cool.  Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Tango Bliss - original oil figurative painting

Here they are, loving their favorite dance, and each other.  This painting is oil on 6 x 6" Gessobord and is a bit softer than usual, which is the effect I was seeking, so I'm pleased.   I have been doing several of these - some for a show - and I find I never, ever tire of painting and drawing dancers.  It's probably all their energy that appeals to me and the emotion - always the emotion!
Thanks so much for stopping by!   Email me.

Milonga Stroll - original oil figurative painting

My tango couple has been on vacation for awhile (a tango cruise, maybe?).  Now they're back, strolling to the dance floor for the next tango.  I did this one quickly, without many details, because it just felt "right".  I stopped before I killed it!  Amazing!  (Patting self on back.)
This painting is 7 x 5" on Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by! SOLD

Goin' Crazy - mixed media figurative drawing

Here they are again - just jivin' and jumpin' with not a care in the world!  They're appearing on 6 x 6" Bristol board paper, courtesy of mixed media - marker, wax crayon and oil pastel, with an underlying gesture of pencil.  Thanks so much for visiting Hackberry Street Studio - hope it's a lot cooler where you are!  Sold
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Jive Frenzy - original mixed media figurative painting

More from my busy little couple and their frenzied journey through jive dancing.  I'm having so much fun with the mixed media approach to my dancing paintings and I love sharing it with you!  This ink, wax crayon and oil pastel drawing/painting is on 6 x 6" Bristol board. 
Thank you so much for visiting my blog! Sold

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Slow Dancing - original oil pastel figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

On a hot Texas night, it's cool in the honky-tonk, with lots of chatter, pitchers of beer and two-stepping music.  This painting is oil pastel on 12 x 9" Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Sold

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Jivemania II - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

I probably could have made this piece more finished, but I am really a fan of a more "raw" state, so left it where I felt it still had life.  It's easy for me to kill a painting, plus it's much more fun this way.  So, I just shut the studio door and headed home.  The painting is 6 x 6" on Gessobord.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog and
THANK YOU, FOLLOWERS!  I appreciate your continuing interest in my artwork!!!!!!!!!!

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More Jumpin' - original mixed media figurative drawing by Connie Chadwell

This little couple just finished a turn - I can't remember now what it's called (time will do that) - and never missed a beat. 
These drawing/paintings are so much fun to do - a little ink, some Caran d'Ache Neocolor I, a bit of Caran d'Ache Neoart crayon, a few touches of oil pastel, all on 6 x 6" Bristol board paper - and you're good to go!
Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Jumpin' - original mixed media figurative drawing by Connie Chadwell

This drawing began with a Prismacolor marker, then moved to Caran d'Ache Neoart Aquarelle, then finished up with oil pastel.  I worked furiously and when it was done, I had about as much color on me as on the drawing.  It's on Strathmore 300 6 x 6" Bristol board.  There's a lot left unsaid here, but I wanted to do it quickly before I got bogged down in too much detail.  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!  Sold
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Drummer Boy - original oil pastel figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

No, not the sweet little fellow of one of my favorite Christmas carols, but the kind of punk guy in the back of the band.   This painting is 9 x 12" on Pastelbord.  Thanks for looking!

Summer Fiction - original oil pastel figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

Hot sun, a chaise by the pool and a good book.  Great way to get through the blazing summer we're already having here in the Texas Hill Country.  This 5x7" oil pastel is painted on Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Dance with Me? - original oil pastel figurative by Connie Chadwell

I have noticed that in real tango situations - not tango shows, which are wonderful, too - there is sometimes a kind of drama in the approach of the male dancer to the woman he wants to be his partner for the next tango.  It appears to be a sort of casual disinterest, but I really think this is just playing a part. Anyway, in this case, the woman did dance with him and they were beautiful together!

 

News in the Real Life Department:  I've just discovered mornings!  Or at least, painting in the morning.  Today, I actually did more in a cool, breezy morning hour than I usually do when I work in the afternoons, only.  Very odd, I think, for such a confirmed night owl.  But I do have two or three things in the works from my morning session that I like.  Maybe tomorrow, I will follow the same pattern - get up really early, get going, accomplish things.  Or maybe not.  Mustn't rush into new habits.

This oil pastel is on Pastelbord and is 7 x 5".  Check out my monologue on The Oil Pastel Review.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

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Tango Impromptu - original figurative sketch by Connie Chadwell

This is a peek at a couple who did a little spur of the moment tango - I guess it just struck their fancy and I must say, I was delighted it did!  Since I didn't have art supplies with me, except for my tiny sketchbook and pen, there was a lot of scribbling going on, mostly gestures to remind me of this great little free show.

Back in my studio,  I decided to replicate the gestural quality with Caran d'Ache Neoart water-soluble oil pastels.  The sketch is about 10 1/2 x 6 1/2" on Rapidograph paper (which is probably not made any longer, but it's paper to use with pens).

I did a number of these, maybe there'll be more to post in coming days.  Thanks so much for stopping by

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Blue Teddy - original oil pastel figurative by Connie Chadwell

This oil pastel is one that I started weeks ago and then put aside.  It has so much oil pastel on it that I'm amazed I can lift it.  Sometimes it's just fun to work into the oil pastel - such a fun and versatile medium!
The model didn't want to pose nude, which was fine - hence, the blue teddy.  "Blue Teddy" is 7 x 5" on that wonderful surface - Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Friday Jive - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

Another jive couple - this one on 6 x 6" Pastelbord.  I started this painting with a palette knife,  did about half with that, then worked on it with a brush.  Kinda wild.  Thanks for visiting my blog! Sold

Rockabilly Gal - original oil pastel figurative by Connie Chadwell

This 12 x 9" oil pastel on Pastelbord depicts one of the performers in a show billed as 'rockabilly'.  I LOVE this term, 'rockabilly', and have been doing a little research on it the past couple of weeks.  The definitions are as fluid as pomade (that hair stuff for men in the '50's).  I just had to throw that in - it seemed to fit the times.   The definitions are really much more fluid than that.  Years ago, I sold an oil pastel that I called 'Rock and Roller', but I realize now that he was actually a rockabilly guitarist.  His clothes, his guitar and his hair all point in that direction.
I have a rockabilly band drawn on Pastelbord and will get that done, soon.  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

Salsa Nights - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

Hope everyone had wonderful and safe Memorial Day!
Here's a painting done from Salsa Sketch and is 10 x 8", linen on panel.  Not a lot of art going on here the last few days, with all the summer prep here - roses, cosmos, lavender, snapdragons and lots of others, plus exciting new cuphea plants.   But art always returns and there are lots of things in the works.  Thanks for looking! Sold