Late Afternoon - original charcoal figurative drawing

This drawing just begs to be a painting and I'm sure it will be, but I also am happy with it as a drawing.  The light in the late afternoon was so soft and to get the figure down in a hurry, I pulled out my vine charcoal and got to work.  I'll probably used a very limited palette - I painted for years with only white, black, red and ochre.  And really, that's enough for me.  I do love blue, though.  This drawing is 12 x 11" on Strathmore drawing paper.  Thanks for looking.

On My Easel - Stick Oil Paint Nude

This painting, which I'm doing with oil sticks; yes, those really juicy - but tough to get details with - oil sticks (but they certainly encourage painting in a loose manner). I am really enjoying working on this painting and will probably pull out the painting knives.  I've used mostly R&F Pigment Sticks, which I think are the kings of the oil stick world.   My drawing Sketch for Josie on the Sofa is the inspiration for this one. 
If you have a chance, stop by my oil pastel blog  to see what's going on there.  Thank you so much for visiting Hackberry Street Studio!

The Model in Mixed Media - original nude mixed media painting

This drawing is done with graphite, watercolor and Daniel Smith watercolor sticks.  The pose was a quick one and instead of "correcting" anything on the piece, I just let it alone.  It's 12 x 9" on Yupo paper.  Thanks so much for looking! Sold

Orange Bikini - original oil pastel figurative drawing

This is what I'd like to be doing right now - going swimming  (but definitely in a one-piece).  We had 107 degrees today.  I usually like summer, but this is horrid.  My poor tomatoes. 
This fun little drawing is one that I posted a while back on my oil pastel blog, which is what I do sometimes, when I'm working on an oil pastel and just sort of thinking about it.  This drawing is on grey Art Spectrum Colourfix paper, nice and gritty, 12 x 9".  Thanks for looking!

Another Tango in Black and White - original charcoal figurative drawing

Here's another in my collection of black and white drawings.  I think what attracted me to this pose was the sort of sinuous quality of his legs, as well as her right hip as it drops down while she's reaching back with her foot.  It's not dramatic in the usual way that tango is dramatic, but I think it's a drama, nevertheless.  It's done on 14 x 11" Strathmore 400 drawing paper, using vine charcoal.  Thanks for stopping by!  Sold

Another Little Tango - original oil figurative painting

This little painting was done on 5 x 5" Gessobord, while I was listening to a Victorian mystery.  There's nothing Victorian about tango - for sure!  For this post, I unearthed a sketch that I did years ago at a tango demonstration and did a really, really quick rendition of the drawing with oil paint.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  And please check out my oil pastel blog.  Sold

3 x 3 - Three Three-Minute Original Charcoal Nude Drawings

I haven't posted in awhile - busy with company and then a short trip, but I'm back.  Here's a drawing of three three-minute poses that I did tonight at a life drawing group.  It's about 18 x 24" on Strathmore drawing paper, using vine charcoal, General's Primo charcoal pencils and also their regular charcoal pencils.  It was such a fast drawing that I just grabbed whatever was handy.  Plus, my trusty kneaded eraser. 
I think this is such good drawing practice - even though the drawing doesn't end up just perfect - it's good to try and get things down in a hurry.  By the time I get through with these three-minute drawings, five and ten minute poses seem like I have forever to work!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lexie, Reading - original oil pastel portrait sketch

I did this drawing from life and it took a little less than 20 minutes - kind of a gesture portrait.   It's just wonderful to have models right here in River City and get to practice my all time favorite drawing exercise - short pose.   I used 9 x 12" Colourfix paper in a light grey blue. Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please visit my oil pastel blog

The Model, Standing - original charcoal nude drawing

I just love back poses, especially standing ones.   This drawing is on Strathmore 400 drawing paper and is about 10 1/2 x 5 1/2".   Thank you for stopping by! Sold

A Chat at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

This painting is derived from a drawing I did at a restaurant in San Antonio.  The young woman stopped for a minute to chat with the bartender, then she moved on.  I only got a glimpse, but it was enough for a quick sketch.  The painting is on 9 x 12" gessoed panel.  Thanks for stopping by!

Tango Hug - original oil figurative painting

For this 7 x 5" painting on Gessobord, I used oil sticks, which are oil paint in stick form.  They are soft - at least the R&F, which I love - and not sharpened at all, so the result is a sort of "messy" painting.  It's much more relaxed than most of my work and I just decided to leave it that way - gotta let go sometime, right?  R&F is famous for its encaustics, but their pigment sticks are luscious and are fun to use with a palette knife, too.  Give them a try!
This time of year, my attention has to be shared with my yard and the seemingly hundreds of plants that need to be planted.  And then there are the dandelions - well no ranting, I promise, but I could, for sure!  So, because of my garden, I'm posting during the wee hours of Wednesday.  So, off to bed, now - thanks so much for stopping by!

Three Models - original charcoal nude drawing

In addition to the three different models, the interpretation of each is a little different, as well - only the tiniest bit, but still. . . .   I really think the artist always responds to each individual model and this shows in the finished drawing.  This drawing is on 9 x 12" Britol board paper and I used vine charcoal - always so forgiving!  Thanks so much for stopping by - always great to see you here!

More Western Swing - original oil figurative painting

Here's another in my ongoing western dancers series.  This painting is oil on 10 x 8" stretched canvas.  I really do have more to say, but my internet connection is suddenly really slow, so maybe it's going to go out in a minute - better hurry and get this posted.  Thanks so much for looking!

Crazy Little Jivers - original mixed media figurative drawing

  Here they are again, no sign of wearing down, much less stopping their antics!  Where there's music with that boogie beat, you'll find them dancing the night away!  I used ink - probably the Prismacolor pen - I just reach for them and don't really notice which one I have while in the heat of battle - and Caran d'Ache wax crayons.  These crayons, Neocolor I, are a delight to work with, as are all the Caran d'Ache products that I've tried.  Plus, there's a tiny bit of charcoal here and there.  The paper is Strathmore sequential Bristol board paper 5 x 15". 

It seems like weeks since I posted anything, but have been busy trying watercolors - I do this every now and again just to prove to myself that I'm way too obsessively meddlesome to do watercolor.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Sold

Sketch of 'Chele - original charcoal portrait drawing

This quick drawing - on 14 x 11" Strathmore drawing paper - is just one of those satisfying things because when you don't have much time to draw and the result looks like the person - well, that's where the satisfying part comes in.  Of course, I could change this or that, but I think it's more valuable when you can see the hand of the artist and see what was going on at the time artist did his or her work.  Thank you so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio! Sold

Wistful - original oil pastel portrait painting/drawing

This is one of my favorite poses and it's difficult to get it just right, but I'm happy with it this time around.  It's not totally finished, I guess, but I like that slightly raw, unfinished look.  It's not for everybody, but I do love to leave a few lines showing.  The drawing is on 12 x 9" gray Pastelbord. 

I LOVE all of you subscribers and followers!  You just make my week! Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Promise Me - original figurative oil painting

This couple was very intense - or at least she was.  He seemed to be resisting a little.  I made them "my" people, but the setting - and the gaze - is the same.  The painting is on 12 x 16" Fredrix archival canvas board.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Model in a Blue Robe - original oil figurative painting

This painting on stretched canvas is one that I started from a drawing a couple of months ago, then got distracted by something else and now I'm back to it.  I think it's finished - any more dabbing at it and it'll be ruined, for sure.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Two Steppin' at Tom's Place - original oil figurative painting

I thought this fun painting appropriate for a Saturday evening, in honor of all the two steppers out on the town tonight.  Using a 10 x 8" Fredrix archival canvas board, I loved painting on the canvas with the added attraction of not even the tiniest bit of "give" when my brush touched it.  It's more like drawing - you know, when you use the hardboard backing for the paper and there's no flexibility at all.  Being basically a drawer, I love that "secure" feeling, so I really appreciate the canvas or linen covered board.

In case you didn't notice my "News" in the column to the right, my drawing,"Lexie's Summer" was chosen by Albert Handell for the 2012 Marilyn Chandler Award for Artistic Excellence in the 27th annual Texas and Neighbors juried exhibition at the Irving Arts Center in Irving, Texas.  The opening reception was April 22nd and was such a lovely event - beautiful music, fabulous food and stunning floral interpretations by The Chocolate Rose of some of the artworks - of which mine was one.  The photo above - thanks to friends who took this shot - shows the floral interpretation of my piece.  I hope you can see the "chartreusey" beads on the right as they hang from the vase.  I love this - I've always loved black combined with that shade of green.  My hat is off to the Irving Art Association president, Angie Vangalis, the volunteers and the show's sponsors who pulled off this beautiful afternoon of the arts!
Well, I see it's pretty late, even for two steppers, so I'll sign off, now.  Thanks so much for stopping - or should I say, stepping, by my blog!

Joanie in Purple - original oil pastel portrait

I've been away for a few days - more on that on tomorrow!

This drawing is another experiment - I loved her hairdo, which was so totally straight - maybe I'll just let it alone and move on, especially since she's not available any longer.  That's when I get into trouble - trying to do more work on a drawing when the model has departed.  This piece is on 12 x 9" Colourfix paper.  Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Jivedoodles All Over Again - original figurative mixed media drawing

For this 5 x 17" drawing, I used Strathmore sequential Bristol board paper, then drew with the fine end of a Prismacolor drawing pen and colored with Caran d'Ache Neocolor I crayons, or wax crayons.  I may add a little more color.  Or maybe not.  It's really, really late, so I'll see what I think in the morning.  Thanks for stopping by my blog - sweet dreams!  Sold

A Guy with a Guitar - original charcoal portrait drawing

Since I draw so many women, I decided to include a portrait of a man in my posts, so here he is.  I did this one on Strathmore Windpower smooth Bristol, 14 x 11", and I used the always wonderful vine charcoal for the drawing.  I've not used this paper before, but I like it.  Thank you for stopping by!

Saturday Night Two Step - original oil figurative painting of dancers

Here's another two-stepping couple painted on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!  If you'd like to contact me about any of my paintings or drawings, just click the "Contact Me" to the right of my blog post.  Sold

Jivedoodles Again - original graphite figurative drawing

This drawing is not only drawing practice for me, but  practice for my little dancers, as well.  I've developed some characters here that I will use again in my next drawings.  After I do these, I go over them and question why I put this one here, that one in that space, and so on.  Never satisfied with the arrangement, I'll do it again tomorrow, just slightly different.  This drawing is done on Borden and Riley's Paris Paper for Pens, 9 x 12", and I used General's Woodless Graphite - 4B, which is pretty soft.  I love using this fairly slick paper for graphite and charcoal - charcoal is especially interesting to work with because it doesn't adhere very well to a paper without tooth (the roughness that helps dry media cling to the surface) and you can just smear to your heart's content.  If that's your thing - and I guess it's mine. 
And if you haven't worked with woodless graphite, it's also a delight.  All that luscious graphite - plus, it smears well, too.  I guess I shouldn't say "smear" - not too sophisticated - maybe "soften" is better.
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter - thanks so much for stopping by!

Robyn's Gaze - original charcoal portrait drawing

I was fascinated by this young woman's way of  - not staring, exactly - but gazing intently.  I felt she was sort of looking through me, but actually, I think she was not even aware of this mannerism and was mentally far away.  Robyn is a wonderful model and I hope she'll pose again.  Good models are so tough to find!  This drawing was done with vine charcoal - mostly turned on its side and working very quickly - on 14 x 11" Strathmore drawing paper.  Thanks for stopping by!  PS.  see what I published on my oil pastel blog.  Sold

A Woman from Mumbai - original oil pastel portrait drawing WIP

I've been lucky, lately, to have several cooperative people coming through my life, who are willing to pose for me.  I do hate to push my luck, though, so I don't spend too much time with each drawing and they're not as finished as they probably should be - like this one, for instance.   I did get her face down enough to suit me, though, and I can finish the rest tomorrow - I'll repost the picture when I get it totally done.  When I say "finished", I mean finished for me, which still is a little raw.  This work is on 12 x 9" Colourfix pastel paper - and please check out my oil pastel blog, where I have some little oil pastels posted.  To get in touch with me, just click the Contact Me to the right.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Letter - original oil pastel portrait painting

 Here's a painting that I anguished over on my oil pastel blog, but I think I'm finished with it.  Time to move on.   It's 14 x 11" on Pastelbord.   Supposedly, oil pastel doesn't really dry, but it sure seems to on Pastelbord and really, on other surfaces, as well, such as Sennelier oil pastel card and Colourfix paper.  Oil pastel is such a wonderful medium and my very favorite, I think; actually, no, that would have to be charcoal - oh well, I'll have to work this out later.  It's really late and I'm ready to turn in.  I love it that you stopped by - thanks so much for visiting my blog! Sold

After Hours - original oil pastel figurative painting of a bar scene

One of the most interesting places ever - a bar.  I just have a Coke when I'm there, but oh my, the atmosphere.  I love to be wherever people are just being themselves and bars are up there with the best of them.  This painting is done on 8 x 10" Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for looking!  To email me about any of the artwork on my blog, just click the Contact Me to the right of this post. Sold

Sketch for Josie on the Sofa - original charcoal drawing of a nude

This is another life drawing from my stash of nudes - Josie was the model for this one, which is drawn with vine charcoal on 11 x 14" Strathmore drawing paper.  I plan to do a painting based on the drawing.
While I was working today, I listened (via audible.com) to another Chet and Bernie mystery, To Fetch A Thief.  This series is 'written' by Chet, the dog, and it's so delightful.  There were times when I laughed out loud.  If you're a dog lover, try this series about private detective Bernie Little and his dog Chet.  Can't wait for tomorrow's 'installment'.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Drawing of a Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

Here's a nude that I pulled out of my stash of life drawings.  This one is on 14 x 11" Strathmore 400 Drawing paper and is done with soft vine charcoal - there is nothing so sensitive and forgiving as vine charcoal.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Little Jivers - original figurative ink drawing

Here's an example of what I did while waiting (for what seemed like an hour) for an appointment.  I could see it would be a lengthy wait and, fortunately, I had a couple of pens - one regular ballpoint and the other, a marker with a thin tip.  Also lucky for me, I had a 6 x 6 pad of Bristol board paper, so I did lots of pages of these little people.  I worked on designing the page, as well as scribbling my little creations - always good practice, I think.  Thanks so much for dropping by! Sold

Rough Ride - original oil rodeo painting of a bullrider

This 10 x 8" oil painting - available at Artworks in Austin, Texas - is done on Fredrix archival canvas board.  I love this surface for rodeo/western work!  It has the canvas texture, but no "give" when my brush touches it - the way stretched canvas does.  I suppose I like a solid feel to my painting surface because of my many years of drawing on paper attached to a drawing board. 
It's a beautiful day here in the Texas Hill Country - hope it's nice, too, where you are.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jitterbugs All Over Again - original oil pastel figurative painting of dancers

Those crazy jitterbugs are at it again on 12 x 16" Pastelbord.   I danced with them while I drew and I'm worn out - it's off to bed for me.  Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Bullrider - original oil figurative rodeo painting

I drew this bullrider when he was close to falling off, but he rectified the situation by getting his feet in a better position - up closer to the bull's head - and staying on for the eight seconds that must seem like an eternity at the least.  This oil painting is available at Artworks in Austin, Texas.  Thanks for stopping by!

Lexie's Summer - original charcoal portrait drawing

This was drawn about midsummer, when the boredom sets in.  Remember when summer went on forever?  I loved it - even if I didn't have anything to do sometimes.  Now time flies by, but Lexie hasn't gotten to the age where it just zooms along. 
I began drawing this from life - she is a wonderful model and can hold a pose amazingly well for a young girl - then finished from some quick sketches, plus a photo.  I kept it kind of loose and sketchy, but I'm pleased with the likeness.  This drawing is about 20 x 16" on Stonehenge paper.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  See what's new on my oil pastel blog!

Another Nude on Green - original oil pastel nude painting

Another favorite art pastime - nudes drawn quickly and without much thinking and analyzing.  I LOVE painting this way - it just makes my heart sing!  A dab of color here, a line there - it probably sounds haphazard and, of course, not everything turns out the way I'd like - but

it's still a real joy.  This painting is on 5 x 7" grey Pastelbord.   Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio! Sold

Bronc Rider - original figurative oil painting

Here's one of my rodeo paintings - 10 x 8" on archival canvas panel, which is a favorite surface of mine for country/western artworks.   This piece is available at Artworks in Austin, Texas.  Thanks so much for stopping by and please check out my oil pastel blog, The Oil Pastel Review.

Waiting Again - original oil figurative painting

You can probably tell that this is quickly done, and although I did it with brushes rather than paint sticks, it's pretty juicy.  Painted while listening to a mystery - love mysteries, love painting - an altogether great day - I hope your day was a good one, too!  It's 6 x 6" on Gessobord.  Check out my oil pastel blog.

Crazy Little Boogie Woogie - original oil figurative painting

 

Here's a version of last night's charcoal drawing, done with oil sticks  - not oil pastels.  They're  unavailable in oil pastel sizes, so it's really difficult to be exact unless you sharpen them.  R&F sticks are soft, so that would be difficult.  They're not only soft - they're luscious beyond belief and a real pleasure to use.  I also use Winsor & Newton and Sennelier, but my faves are the R&F; I've been meaning to try Shiva, too, but just haven't gotten around to it.  Oil sticks harden just like oil paint because they really are oil paint in stick form.
Since the sticks are pretty big (and these are the small sizes) I simply aimed for the general vicinity of the place I wanted to make a mark and let whatever happened, just happen.   If, like me, you love to draw, give the oil sticks a try.  I am such a drawing enthusiast that I try to use all kinds of different drawing media and right now, I'm big on oil sticks!
The painting is on 6 x 6" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Boogie Woogie Sketch - original charcoal drawing of dancers

This one - even though it's only about 8 x 8" - took me so much time to get to the point of hearing their feet as they drummed on the floor.  I played boogie woogie music 'til I could get his left leg the way I wanted.  Drawing dancers is something I could do all day long.  And, heck, some days that's just what I do.  Love it!  This sketch is on Strathmore Bristol board paper.  Thanks so much for looking!

Tango in Charcoal - original charcoal figurative drawing

It seems like years since I've posted - much has been going on, such as trying to get a new website up and running.  It's really, really hard when you have absolutely no talent for that kind of thing.  Even the drag and drop is a challenge for me.  Don't laugh.  It's true. 
This drawing is vine charcoal on Strathmore 400 drawing paper and is about 10 x 6 1/2".  I've drawn several somewhat similar to this, but trying to "explain" the woman's leg position is tricky and I'm really pleased with this one.   My love affair with charcoal continues - so sensitive, so responsive.  Truly a dream medium.  Thanks so much for dropping by!  Now, it's back to the website.  Or maybe not.
To contact me about a drawing or painting, just click on the contact button to the right. Sold

Three Figures Dancing - original charcoal drawing of nudes

Here's a quickly drawn group of nudes with lots of restating.  I'm a big fan of that and when I teach figure drawing classes, I have students put away their erasers.  Kind of messy, but I find it instructive, although I do make a few passes with a kneaded eraser.  This is drawn with vine charcoal on Strathmore 400 Drawing paper, 11 x 14".  Thanks for stopping by!

Backward Bend - original oil figurative painting

I hadn't posted this 6 x 6" on Gessobord that recently sold at Artworks in Austin, Texas, but here's an example of a difficult pose, both for the dancers (I imagine) and the painter.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Sold

More Tiny Jive - original oil figurative painting

It's been awhile, but I'm back and am hoping all of you are having a wonderful start to the New Year!   This painting is on 5 x 5" Gessobord.  I could say that I've found a fabulous cosmic satisfaction in painting even smaller, but the truth of the matter is that I found some great sale prices on 4 x 4" and 5 x 5" Gessobord at Herweck's in San Antonio, Texas, not long ago, and I'm loving these very small supports.  They're fun!  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Sold

Bailora - original oil figurative painting of Flamenco dancer

Merry Christmas y'all!  No matter the weather outside, may you be cozy and warm and surrounded by family and friends on this special day.  Thank you for dropping by my blog.  PS.  this painting is oil on 18 x 12" stretched canvas.

A Bit of Holly - original oil pastel portrait drawing/painting

Here's a little Christmasy piece - the hat is boiled wool, I think, and the model pinned the little holly sprig to it.  This is another quick drawing - not fussed over at all.  It's done on Sennelier 12 x 9" oil pastel paper and the actual drawing is about 9 x 7".  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Waiting - original oil pastel portrait painting

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

Tiny Jive - original figurative small format oil painting

Here's a little 4 x 4" painting on Gessobord.  Much fun to paint.  Thanks for looking! Sold

Three Evening Nudes - original ink drawings of nudes

Three more nudes, from two different sessions, on 9 x 12" Bristol board paper.  Thanks for looking! Sold