Six Jivers - original acrylic figurative drawing

Every now and then I like to get out my size "0" or "1" bright (brush) and black acrylic paint to work from memory or terrorize those around me to 'hold that pose' - they don't even realize it's a pose - and draw quickly without regard to accuracy.  I was working on one pose when I discovered a beautiful ear on one of my 'models' - white ear against the black shapes behind it. Yum!  A tiny discovery, to be sure, but something I might not even notice unless I'd gotten busy with brush and acrylic - one of my favorite drawing methods. My post tonight is one that I did from memory and is on 14 x 17" paper.  Thanks for stopping by!  PS -  It's raining!  That's a big deal in central Texas!

Lindy's Curls - original charcoal portrait drawing

A compressed charcoal drawing on Yupo is probably the craziest thing, but that's all I had at the time, so I went with it.  This model's hair has a life of its own and I had to draw it right that minute! There's a lot of "texture" in the negative area that came from the charcoal that found its way there by accident and was impossible to erase, so I've learned to love it.  The compressed charcoal is very deliberate and once a mark was down, I could do little about it.  Yupo is forgiving with watercolor, but not too much with something like compressed charcoal - actually, the compressed kind of charcoal is hard to get rid of on any surface.  Anyway, I enjoyed doing the drawing and am pleased with how it turned out.  It's about 8 x 8".  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - original oil figurative painting in progress

I am currently working on this painting - along with a couple of drawings and one other painting.  Hope to get this one finished tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by!

Ink Jivers - original mixed media ink figurative drawing

They're back and seem to be enjoying themselves, as they always do.  Drawn quickly - I know you can tell - using an Itoya pen and Crayola, this little piece is on cold press watercolor paper, 5 1/2 x 7 1/2".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Flamenco in Dark Blue - original figurative watermedia painting

Lots of swirly strokes, using mostly darkest blue watercolor sticks by Daniel Smith, Caran d'Ache and Winsor & Newton on Yupo.  Then I brushed over the lines with one of my waterpens - not exactly a real watercolorist, but it works okay for me.  This drawing is about 11 x 8".  Thanks so much for stopping by!  (I apologize for the pinkish tint - it's not the paper, which is white - it's my photography.)

Seated Model with Wineglass - original oil pastel figurative painting

Done on Judson's Guerilla Painter carton paper, this painting is 7 x 5" - I used mostly Senneliers with a few Caran d'Ache and Holbein.  It's so satisfying to work on this paper - it has many of the attributes of the carton paper of the Impressionists' day, but is touted as being more archival.  I love its warm color, as well.  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog - check out my latest posting on my oil pastel blog by clicking here.

Flamenco Frenzy - original charcoal figurative drawing

After watching a flamenco performance, I scribbled from memory some of the "poses" - I guess you'd  say.  I got on a roll with these, so you'll be seeing more of them.  Using one of those boxes of vine charcoal in which there are varied thicknesses, I completed - a version of completed, anyway - many 11 x 14" drawings.  Do you ever get started on a project and just not want to stop?  Well, it was like that with me and was so satisfying.  Lots of squiggly lines add up to time well spent for me.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Model Takes a Break - original oil pastel figurative painting

This little piece is one I did while the model was waiting 'til break time was over.  It's on 7 x 5" Pastelbord and is another one I think will become a larger piece.  My previous post (The Model in a Dark Robe) is one that I have been painting as a larger work and it is SO different from the original.  When the larger painting is finished, I'll post it - or maybe I shouldn't, since it's taken such a different turn that it may look as if someone else did it.  Hmmm - don't know how that happens - oh well, thanks for stopping by!

The Model in a Dark Robe - original oil pastel figurative painting

This sketchy piece has made me so happy because I feel I got her skin tones correct.  Lately, I've been working on skin tones and trying to pay a lot of attention to getting just the right hue, value, etc., and - yippee - I have a good feeling about this one!  Am hoping to turn this into an oil painting, but whenever I attempt such things, something is lost - will keep trying, though.  Am I alone in having the problem of losing the feeling of the original when trying to move it to another medium?  On Strathmore 403 oil pastel paper, about 11 x 8".  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Red Mug - original oil pastel portrait painting

This little 7 x 5" painting on Pastelbord began with a drawing of a young woman sitting in a café.  She was having a quiet moment before getting back in the fray.  I left this pretty loose and it's not really "finished", but that's my kind of thing.  Thanks so much for visiting!

Nude with Arms Raised - original oil painting of a nude

This nude is done from a life drawing that I posted a while back and just now got around to painting.  I know one is supposed to paint no matter the lack of inspiration, but I just can't!!!  Must wait 'til the stars are in the right position, etc., so I can get going on some of these projects that have been languishing.  The pose couldn't have been easy for the model - keeping one's arms raised can get pretty tough after a bit.  As I recall, we didn't take the full time.  I love being in a group where the other artists respect the model - have been in some groups that didn't, so I didn't go back there.  This is on 14 x 11" paintboard.  Thanks for looking!

Jive Lovin' - original figurative oil painting

I should have let this dry a little because it's really shiny, but I didn't.  Oh well.  It's on 6 x 6" Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Lindy Sleeping - original charcoal figurative drawing

Here's a sketch from life of a sleeping girl - done with compressed charcoal (not my favorite, but okay once in a while) on Bristol paper.  It's about 11 x 14".  I could clean it up, but this is just a quick sketch after all, and I'm always inclined to overdo the cleaning up, so am just leaving it alone.  This is probably one I could use for a painting.  Thanks for stopping by!

Model on a Sofa - original oil pastel figurative painting

This oil pastel was done from a drawing that I did of a model last summer.  Using Mi-Teintes paper's patterned side, 9 x 12", I applied plenty of gooey Sennelier oil pastels to it.  Lately, I've been picking up fabrics that interest me and using them in my work.  I'm accumulating a pretty good stash.  This piece will probably be mounted to museum board when it's a little drier.  Thanks for stopping by!

Tango Amor Again - original oil figurative painting

This painting is on 6 x 6" Gessobord.  I love the way he looks at her. Thanks for visiting!

A Winter Stroll - original oil pastel figurative painting

A little fun thing on 5 x 7" Guerilla carton board - a support that I love.  It can be found at Judson's Art Outfitters and has the look of the cardboard paintings by turn of the 20th century painters, but is archival. Thanks for visiting my blog!

Lexie Just Thinking - original charcoal figurative drawing

I always wonder what the model is thinking and how she can possibly stay awake.  They earn their pay!  This one was done with responsive vine charcoal on Bristol paper, 14 x 11".  Thanks for looking!

Small Sanguine Portrait - original watermedia portrait sketch

Here's a small sanguine Caran d'Ache Neocolor II drawing I did around Thanksgiving.  I painted it on Yupo - I can't even explain why I love this surface so much. It just allows you to be expressive without fearing you'll break rules - brush this way, brush that way, take a pen and go hog wild.  It doesn't really matter.  Whatever happens, it's good - and fun, too. Neocolor II is the water-soluble version of Caran d'Ache's wax crayon - with the addition of  a little water, it just blossoms.  Very satisfying to use.  This portrait is about 7 x 6".  Got to get some sleep now, getting up early for exercise class early in the morning - have to get those Fitbit steps going!  Thanks for stopping by!

Nude on Rose Paper - original charcoal drawing of a nude

Here's another nude on some of the patterned paper I've been experimenting with.  I think this is the last of the paper, and I just couldn't resist using the one remaining piece.  I used mostly compressed charcoal with touches of white on this drawing - not my usual, but I feel it worked well.  For me, when working with charcoal, I love the sensitive line that can be achieved with vine charcoal rather than compressed, but compressed was handy and since I'm a lazy artist, I just went ahead and drew with it.  The paper is about 8 1/2 x 11".  Thanks for stopping by!

Nude with Flowered Panel - original oil pastel painting of a nude model

I love painting and drawing nudes and I love flowered panels, so this was one I really enjoyed doing.  It's on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thanks for looking!

The Nude on Thursday - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

Just about my favorite subject to draw - the nude from life.  I love poses where the model is looking away and this drawing fills the bill.  Hoping to make it into a painting to see if I can capture her air of mystery.  On 9 x 12" Borden & Riley Paris paper for pens.  Thanks for looking!

Tango Amor - original oil figurative painting

Time is flying by and I have more commissions to finish and Christmas shopping to do!  I love this time of year, even though it's pretty frantic, especially for someone like me, who waits to shop 'til the last minute (which makes it even more fun)!  This painting of my little tango dancers is on 6 x 6" Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Janie - original charcoal portrait drawing of a young woman

This little portrait - on 12 x 9" Canson illustration paper - is one of my all time favorites, because I feel I captured the slight smile (which at times verged on a bit of a smirk) and her reserve.  And also because it's not what one would call finished.  Works for me.  The paper is 150 pound - nice and hefty and great for the side of a little piece of vine charcoal, which is what I used, except for a few lines here and there.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Rock Star - original charcoal figurative drawing

This drawing is one that I found while throwing away some old drawings and paintings.  I was so happy to rediscover this one - I did a painting from it back in 2008 and just stuck this poor thing in back of lots of other drawings and forgot all about it.  Thankfully, every now and then I get on a cleaning kick and find all kinds of oldies but goodies.  It's charcoal on Strathmore drawing paper and is about 21 x 15".  Thank you for stopping by!

The Rapper - original oil portrait painting

This commissioned portrait is painted on 10 x 10" deep cradled canvas.  I loved painting this  - thanks for visiting my blog!

Jive Crazy - original charcoal figurative drawing

Listening to lots of jive music today, just couldn't help drawing this little couple - they're loving the oldies!  It's on 6 x 6" Bristol board paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Another Tango Charm - original figurative charcoal drawing

This type of pose always renders me speechless - I'm amazed at how easy the dancers make it look - one of my favorites.  It's on 14 x 11" Bristol board paper.  Done with charcoal with touches of white charcoal.  Thanks for visiting my blog! Sold

Little Black and White Tango - original charcoal figurative drawing

This drawing is about 6 x 6" on Bristol paper.  Thanks for looking! Sold

Charcoal Tango - original charcoal figurative drawing

The tango dancers have danced my way again - this time they're on 14 x 11" Bristol paper.  I used vine charcoal plus General's new Primo Elite Grande charcoal pencil.  Very nice to work with.  Charcoal is probably my all-time favorite to use in my drawings - so responsive and so forgiving and the delicious variety in the strokes one can make with it are such a joy!   Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold
 

Devie - original oil pastel portrait painting

Here's another portrait on the orangey Mi-Teintes paper, 9 x 12".  This young woman was such a pleasure to paint.  As I'm sure I've said before, the textured side of this paper is wonderful for helping me keep the piece from getting too tight.   Although I really layer the oil pastel on her face, the rest is fairly loose.  Thanks for stopping by!

Tango Drama Again - original oil figurative painting

She definitely trusts him!  This is oil on Gessobord, 8 x 8".  Thanks for stopping by!

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!

The Message - original oil pastel portrait sketch

Here's another sketch on the Mi-Teintes paper - this time it's done on a warm shade that inspired me to use plenty of blues in her skin to cool it down.  I'm a big fan of cools anyway, so I was glad to have an excuse.  This sketch is about 8 1/2 x 8 1/2".  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Portrait Sketch of a Young Woman - original oil pastel portrait sketch

I just bought a pad of 9 x 12" Mi-Teintes pastel paper.  I love the textured side and did this sketch on one of the sheets of off-white - there are several colors in the pad - with Sennelier oil pastels.  Thanks for stopping by.

Tango Together - original oil figurative painting

 I should have something Halloweenish, but instead, more from my little tango dancers.  They love dancing around and I adore trying to capture their moves.  This is on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Waiting at the Bar - original oil pastel figurative painting

Here's another bar scene, although it's a little lighter than the bar was in real life - I think because I was using this beautiful grey Holbein oil pastel stick and just couldn't get enough of it.  She sat and waited until her fellow showed up - must've been awkward, but she was loaded with poise.  While I usually use Sennelier, this painting was done with Holbein oil pastels.  They are so gorgeous, and with their square shape, very useful in turning on their sides for big strokes, or using the corners of the sticks for details.  I'm a confirmed Sennelier user, with their lipsticky gooeyness, but it's great to try other brands on occasion.  The painting is on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thanks for looking!

Jivin' on Seventh - original oil figurative painting

Listening to my jive music while painting this one - boogied at the easel, I did.  It's 8 x 10" on archival canvas board.  Thanks for stopping by!

A Little Portrait of Lena - original water-soluble pencil drawing

This little drawing - done with water-soluble pencil - has been around awhile, but I've always liked it and just decided to show it at Hackberry Street Studio.  The support is Yupo, which can be tricky, but it's become a real favorite of mine!  The unpredictability of paint on Yupo is what I love about using it - with Yupo the paint can be lifted and you can fiddle with it, which is usually death to watercolor paintings. This drawing is about 5 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Nelda in watercolor - original watercolor portrait sketch

Here's a little fooling around sketch done with watercolor on Yupo.  I may finish it later - or maybe not, and just move on to something else.  Am currently working on a watercolor nude and having lots of fun with that.  This sketch is about 10 x 8".  Thanks for looking!

On My Easel - Jivin' Night - original oil figurative painting in progress

Have you ever listened to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by the Andrews Sisters?   Wow!  What a great song - I played it many times while painting this piece, along with more of my jive and rock 'n' roll goodies.  There's a good bit of work to do on this - work on the figures plus take out some of the little tiny brushstrokes in the background - and the music will just make it fun!  These dancers are on 9 x 12" stretched canvas.  Thanks for stopping by!

WIP - Day's End - original oil pastel figurative painting in progress

This painting is sort of in limbo at the moment.  Will finish it in the next couple of days, I guess.  Things to do include toning down the acid green, carrying the pattern over the back and much better  (I hope) defining of the figure.  May include a pair of stilettos on the floor.  That can exhaust anybody - wearing them, I mean.  On 16 x 12" Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jerri - original oil pastel portrait drawing

The past few days, I've been doing sort of stream of consciousness drawings and this is one of them.  It's probably not really a stream of consciousness drawing, but it is one that's not been analyzed to death.  Just drawn and done. On Strathmore 403 paper, it's about 8 x 9 1/2".  While I have a number of oil paintings in the works, I'm going to do more oil pastels and start using turps with some of my backgrounds, a practice from years ago that I've decided to revive.  My resolve may only last through one painting, but it's worth a try. My fingers get really tired from rubbing the backgrounds, especially on sanded surfaces, so I need a little help.  This could only work on board or oil paper, of course.
Jerri is such a good model and I have more drawings of her that may actually turn into paintings.  I'm always saying that and nothing comes of it.  And I don't think a drawing is made legitimate by becoming a painting - it's just that sometimes, things look good in oil paint.  I am especially interested in doing paintings that are also drawings for a good portion of the piece.  Too many times, I've covered up lines that I loved and then missed them.  Am going to try not to do that again.  Anyway, that's what I'm up to here at Hackberry Street Studio.  Glad you stopped by - thanks for listening!  Sold

On My Easel - Jivers Again - original oil figurative painting in progress

More work to do on this, but should finish tomorrow and will just replace this with the final version.
Love those jivers - they always get me going - it's 9 x 12" on canvas - thanks for looking!

Sketch of Boxers - original oil pastel figurative drawing

As a little kid, I watched the 'fights' on TV with my father - a brutal sport, I know, but I admire the superb conditioning of the contestants.   I'm thinking about doing more of these drawings, possibly long panels of them.  This one was done on carton paper, 7 x 5".  Thanks for stopping by!

Pink Tutu - oiginal oil pastel figurative painting

I had the pleasure of sitting and watching some young ballerinas - a real drawing opportunity.  This one kept fiddling with her new tutu - I think she just loved touching it and feeling like a real ballerina.  The painting is done on 7 x 5" carton from Judson's Art Outfitters - can also be purchased from Amazon.  I love the cardboard color, since I'm a fan of drawing on cardboard - even though that's a no-no in the conservation department.  The carton is archival and good for oil, acrylic and soft pastel, as well.  Thanks for stopping by!

Ink Dance - original ink figurative drawing

I had planned to use oil pastel on this drawing, but was happy with just the lines - I really have a crush on line drawings, right now.  Drawn on Paris paper for pens, it's 12 x 9".   Thanks for visiting!

Seated Dancer - original ink figurative drawing

Line is my favorite drawing method and I had a really good time with this little drawing - squiggle, squiggle.  It's done with an Itoya Doubleheader and touches from my Niji Waterbrush on Borden & Riley Paris paper, 12 x 9".  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Woman at a Restaurant - original ink figurative drawing

Another line drawing - just fooling around with ink, 12 x 9" on Borden and Riley Paris paper for pens.  Today I participated in a photogravure printmaking class sponsored by the McNay Art Museum in conjunction with their photogravure exhibit.  We went to Hare and Hound Press for instruction - I will never master the intricacies of printmaking, but today was interesting and fun. 

Here's my print - maybe a little over wiped, but not too bad, I think.

Thanks for stopping by!