Woman with a Fan - original oil pastel portrait painting

Here's one that I'm trying before painting the same pose in oil.  I'm pretty happy with it. A problem arises though, when I don't get the same feeling in the oil painting that I have in the original drawing - plus no more model.  I think there's just something spontaneous that happens in a drawing group but when I'm back in the studio, it's tough to reconstruct the emotion.  The artist's reaction to the live model is what painting from life is all about, I think (when it's not a commission and must look exactly like your subject).  And even with commissions, there's a bit of the artist's reaction, as well.  Hey, I think I just figured it out - I'm going to stop with this one since I'm happy with it.  See what talking it out can do? 😌  This piece was done on 7 x 5" Pastelbord using mostly Sennelier, with some Caran d'Ache, too.  Thanks so much for stopping by (and listening)!  

A Winter Day - original oil pastel portrait painting

I think everyone in Texas is sick of winter - especially what this winter has brought.  We were lucky, but I know so many weren't!  Texas just isn't set up for merciless temps and failures of the power grid.  Closed up inside, I was able to do lots of drawings and other artwork and here is one from those days.  It is, of course, made from a photo I took early in the winter with our first little snowfall, never dreaming what was to come.  

This one is on 12 x 9" Pastel Premier paper, using mostly Sennelier oil pastels, some Caran d'Ache and Cray-pas Specialists.  She was standing in front of one of our pecan trees with the branches almost touching the ground.  Thanks for stopping by!
 

Barrie - original oil portrait painting

Texas is probably just about done digging itself out of the ice and snow of this past week.  Our family fared pretty well, but sad to say, lots of folks didn't.  We're just not prepared for this kind of weather - 3 degrees - and I'm hoping this really was a once in a century thing.  And if I didn't already love summer, I do now!

This piece, lurking in my studio, is painted on 8 x 10" stretched canvas, beginning from life, then on to photos.  I like it for her sweet expression.  Thanks for stopping by!
 

From an Ancient Torso - original mixed media figurative drawing redux

So great to sketch from these beautiful creations - in this case, using charcoal, graphite and Caran d'Ache neocolor 1 -  on Strathmore 300 mixed media paper which I use as a sketchbook because the paper is tough enough for any dry media but not quite as expensive as the 400 series.  Somehow, I just feel a little bit freer to do things on the less costly paper that I might not otherwise do on more expensive paper.  Ever have that feeling?   I love the 400 series though, and when it's on sale, I stock up!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Krista on Black Paper - original oil pastel portrait

Strathmore's black mixed media paper is such a perfect support for oil pastel, which is what I used for this piece.  Drawing a model seated in a chair while I was perched on a barstool isn't the usual arrangement,  but it worked so maybe I'll use this set-up in the future.  I did some smoothing with my finger on this one, and maybe could have done more, but I do like strokes to show at least a bit.  Using black paper here with my Senneliers, but I also love Strathmore's blue mixed media - haven't tried the gray, but I will soon.  Am going to give the gray a try with my Caran d'Ache pastel pencils.  These pencils are expensive, but they are worth it! This little painting is about 5 x 5".  Thanks for looking!
 

Two-Step Scribble - charcoal and oil pastel figurative sketch

This sketch is one I did from the 2019 rodeo dance (didn't have rodeo in 2020😞) and sometimes I just get such satisfaction from one of these drawings, even though it lingers somewhere between drawing and painting.  As a line lover, I'm always looking for ways to incorporate line in what I do and not totally cover it up with paint.  Will just leave this one as it is and do a painting from it.

I hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving!🦃 Thanks for stopping by!

A Little Sketch of the Model - original charcoal portrait drawing

I absolutely love to work in black and white, especially when drawing from life. I did this drawing using a General's Peel and Sketch with a 'hard' rating which I rarely use, but am actually really pleased with this little sketch.  The paper is Strathmore Mixed Media, 8.5 x 5.5".  Some of the lines are restated, which I left (obviously) because otherwise, it's easy to keep making the same mistake, plus leaving the lines lends movement and also tells the viewer the path the artist took in making the piece.  Thanks for stopping by!
 

Looky What I Got Yesterday!

I splurged a little and bought several CrayPas Specialists, some Caran d'Ache Neopastels and a few of my usual Senneliers.  So exciting for an oil pastelist!  I like to use Caran d'Ache lime green for glazing skin and decided to try a lot of other colors for that purpose just to see how it works out.  Much fun ahead!
 

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!

Ready for Night - original pastel pencil portrait drawing

 

Here's a pastel pencil drawing that I did some time ago, using a very limited palette of Caran d'Ache pencils.  At that time, I only had a few of this brand that I was trying out and since they - unlike most pastels, even in pencil form - didn't make me sneeze, get in my eyes and just generally make me feel itchy, I've acquired a nice collection of Caran d'Ache.  Most likely, how I use pastels is the problem, but since I'm mainly an oil pastelist, problem solved!  This was a pretty quick drawing - don't remember how long - but I was mainly interested in the satiny strap over her shoulder.  It's on toned paper, 12 x 9".  Thanks for visiting!

Guitar Practice - original graphite portrait drawing

 Although I hardly ever use graphite, I had a great time doing this one on Strathmore marker paper that I had to buy for a landscape course.  Maybe y'all have used this paper before, but I never had and was surprised to find it such a delight to draw on.  Even though there's a slick finish - it's great for graphite!  Drawing is my first art language - not painting, really - and I will be doing many more pencil drawings  (used HB, 2 and 4B) on this paper - a great find for me!  Plus, even though the weight is only 50.5 lb, the paper feels much more sturdy. This drawing is 7 x 12".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maiko - original oil pastel portrait of a maiko

I love drawing geisha and maiko. This interest began with a drawing group I attended years ago where there was a model from Japan who often dressed in a kimono when she came to pose for us.  Just about everything they wear and do means something  - it's fascinating to me, so sometimes I go through my old drawings and find something I'd like to take a little further.  This drawing is on 12 x 9" Pastel Premier.  Thanks for looking!
 

Feather Earrings - original oil pastel portrait

 

                                   One of my drawings was accepted for exhibition in the

                                Catharine Lorillard Wolfe online show that can be viewed

                                                        during the month of October.

 I was trying to work with neutrals here to give the red feather earrings more 'pop'.  This piece is painted on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  The great thing about Pastelbord - when working with oil pastels - is that with time, the oil pastels on this support tend to feel dry to touch.  Still, I like to spray with oil pastel fixative several days after the piece is completed.  Thanks for stopping by!

Nude on Black Paper - original oil pastel nude

Ever since my college days where I first encountered life drawing classes, drawing nudes has been my very favorite art thing - could do this all day long and when I have the chance, that's just what I do.  The figure is my true love!  I also adore the mystery of back views.  Anyway, here I drew the outline very lightly, then did a gestural drawing of the model, working over the whole painting very loosely with my Sennelier oil pastels and butting the colors of the figure up against the colors in the background. (Edge battles are even present in oil pastel.)  I really do recommend working on a black support - it's definitely a 

pleasure to use. This piece is about 6 x 8" on black Mixed Media paper by Strathmore.  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!

Scribbled Dancers - original ink figurative drawing

I was watching a movie and this couple was dancing and I just had to draw them.  This was one of those times when drawing from memory came in handy since I had to draw really quickly before the vision left me!  Drawing the action on the TV is one of my favorite practice devices.  Anyway, much fun doing this one, using unforgiving ink and giving my memory a workout.  The ink was a Sharpie ultra fine and a Prismacolor marker on Strathmore Mixed Media matted to about 12 x 8".  Thanks for stopping by!

Little Landscape - original small oil landscape painting

Okay - not really my thing, but was out at the park, sooo. . . .  The canvas is 5 x 4", and that makes it easier.  It's been way above 100 degrees day after day here and being outside was the very last thing on my mind.  It's a little cooler now so I have absolutely no excuses!  The South Llano State Park is beautiful and a treat to visit - just a few miles from Junction so maybe - just maybe - I'll get this landscape painting thing down!  Thanks for stopping by!

Lilia Looking Back - original oil pastel portrait

Not a pose she (or anyone) could hold for the usual 20 minutes at a time, but little by little we got it done.  For this one, I used Pastel Premier sanded pastel, 12 x 9" which is such a wonderful surface for oil pastel.  Also used mostly Sennelier, with a few Caran d'Ache and Craypas Specialists.  I tried with this one to make it more 'finished' and smoother - not so sketchy.  Anyway, much fun to do this painting and Lilia liked it which is always the seal of approval!  Thanks for stopping by!

Lost in the Tango - original oil figurative painting

My little dancers are back and wasting no time!  I tried a more blue background on this painting, with bits of green. I love the way this guy is so in control, which when reflecting on my teenage ballroom dance lessons, is the way it's supposed to be! This one was done on 7 x 5" Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch of Mei as a Maiko - original charcoal and white drawing

A several month old sketch of Mei, who has posed before as a geisha/maiko, drawn with charcoal and white pencil on Mi-Teintes paper.  I've always loved using the textured side since I think it keeps me from overworking, but for this drawing I used the smooth.  Not sure if this is my best depiction of Mei - and I have a lot of drawings of her - but I am happy with how it turned out.  Thanks for looking!

Drawing of the Model on Black Paper - original oil pastel portrait

It seems like forever since I've posted but I've been working on lots of art - have even done some printmaking with a few monotypes and a drypoint to show for it.   Here's an oldish drawing done on Strathmore black mixed media paper, 12 x 9", using mostly Sennelier and a couple of Caran d'Ache Neopastels and Sakura Specialists.  The black paper is great to work on and I just bought another pad of it to take to the next drawing group I attend.  This was a quick study - my favorite - and while I didn't have a lot of time (to kill it with overworking), I was pretty happy with the results.  Hope you're all staying well and thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of the Model in a Black Robe - original oil pastel figurative

I love when the model is just relaxing - not worrying about maintaining a pose - and waiting until the break is over.  This 11 x 10" oil pastel is done with Sennelier oil pastels on Strathmore acrylic paper, which I like for its "canvasy" pattern and the 246 lb. weight.  Very sturdy!  I also like using this paper for acrylic brush drawings - give it a try.  Thanks for looking!

Ballerina Sketch - original figurative charcoal drawing

I love dancers - whether ballet, tango, country - they are my favorites to draw and paint!  This pensive little dancer was a dream to draw on one of my favorite papers, Colourfix smooth, using my true love of a medium - vine charcoal.  Also used my trusty kneaded eraser a lot.  I just went with the looseness, especially in the body and kept it kind of flat, only modeling the face.  A lack of time makes one choose from the available options.😊
  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of the Seated Model - original oil pastel and charcoal figurative

I have made and destroyed so many drawings and paintings over the last several weeks - probably in my continuing quest for ways to combine color and line - and this drawing proved so satisfying - all of you artists out there know that feeling! 😊  Plus I was so happy to have a really great model.  Also I was trying out Pastel Premier 9 x 12" sanded paper and am delighted to report that I'm crazy about it!  It's made in the USA - Yay! The combination of General Pencil's Peel n Sketch charcoal pencil and mostly Sennelier and a couple of Caran d'Ache oil pastels on the Pastel Premier pastel paper was heavenly for me.  Hope everyone's doing great and can get back to work soon.  Thanks for stopping by!

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!

Blue Night - original oil pastel portrait

This piece is one that I did mostly from a charcoal drawing, although I did begin working with the oil pastels while still at the drawing group.  Alas, there wasn't enough time before the model left, so I did have to spend more time working from the drawing.  It's on 8 x 8" Ampersand Pastelbord, one of my favorite surfaces.
I've been away for awhile, in London and Paris - was lucky to have seen the Gauguin show in London and the 'Degas at the Opera' show in Paris.  I loved that they showed Degas' work using essence - which I have rarely seen - and gave such an honest portrayal of the realities of the ballerinas' lives.  Not just pretty paintings, for sure!
Thanks so much 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!
                             

New Year's Jive - original figurative oil painting

Starting 2020 off the right way, this little jive couple keeps the dance going on 6 x 8" Gessobord with lots of brushwork describing their energy.  Thanks so much for looking - and Happy New Year!

Sketchbook Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude

I was attempting to draw the model without much modeling.  It was kind of slow work since there was no gesture drawing as I usually do.  Loved the heck out of doing this one!  It's about 10 x 14" - thanks for looking!

Jiver Twirl - original figurative painting of dancers

Just a couple of jivers having fun - oil on 8 x 8" canvas.  Hope you're having a great Thanksgiving!

The Student - original charcoal portrait drawing

Here's a 14 x 11" drawing of a young woman done on Strathmore toned paper, using General Pencil Company's EuroBlend charcoal pencils and vine charcoal. Hope y'all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sarah with Red Hair - original oil pastel portrait

Loved doing this one - made the background "chartreusy", even though in real life it was grey.  There's just something about greens and aquas - yum!  Plus, with the red, red hair, I couldn't help myself.  Anyway, this little drawing is 7 x 5" on Pastelbord - will probably put it on a small easel.  That's another of the things I love about Pastelbord - I can display my work either on an easel or framed using spacers.  Makes art life easy!😃

Ready for Odile - original figurative oil pastel

 Maybe I will eventually do this one in oil paint or acrylic.  The Black Swan is a fascinating character and what a beautiful ballet "Swan Lake" is!  This piece is on 14 x 11" Pastelbord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Jive Scribbles No. 7 - how I draw jive dancers

I've had this drawing for months and finally decided to post it since at the moment, all I have are pieces in various stages of finish.  This drawing was a lot of fun to do - just scribbling gestures all over the paper with smaller scribbles on the bottom.  I used an Itoya Calligraphy pen, along with fine  point Sharpies.
 I was lucky to be at a jitterbug exhibition where it would have been so awkward to pull out my pencil and paper, plus it was really dark where we were sitting.  And anyway, I've decided that in these instances, memory is better, even if you can only remember one bit of the dance.  (The reason for that approach is that when you're drawing - unless you're doing a blind gesture - you'll miss lots of the actual dancing because it goes so fast.)
So when I returned to the studio, I streamed some oldies jitterbug music like "Tutti Frutti","Whole Lot of Shakin Goin On", "Rock Around the Clock" - great jive music.   And, using the fine point pen, drew just a bit of what I remembered from the dancers' movements and then keeping my pen on one part of the gesture, began another drawing of the same subject in a slightly different position.  I love that layered look for drawings!  And having the jitterbug music on is kind of an inspiration and helps me to remember more of what happened on the dance floor.  It reminds me not to get tight and to just let the lines flow.
Worked my way across the page - only drew a couple of gestures before the main drawing, but sometimes I do a lot more of the fine line gestures - and then end up doing a bolder line drawing.  I added a few smudges of charcoal in the center.  The little gestures on the bottom are there because I was just fooling around while listening to the music - I never meant to post this - it's just a stream of consciousness kind of thing.  This drawing is on 16 x 20" Canson board.  Thanks for stopping by!

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. 😊

Stella Doing the Twist - original charcoal figurative sketch

Play old-time rock 'n' roll music and get the model doing 'the twist' - much drawing fun!  (I recommend Chubby Checker's music.)  This all dates me, of course. 😃 I loved doing this drawing and would like to do a much longer piece of dancers twisting - it would probably have an athletic look - something to pursue - always looking for ways to depict the figure!  This one is on 14 x 11" Strathmore toned paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Morning Watercolor Ivy - original watercolor sketch of ivy

More watercolor practice using the little jars of ivy in my kitchen window.  Not a watercolorist, of course, but fun to do and sort of gets me going early in the a.m.  Was so anxious not to overwork, that I left a few things really unfinished.  I'm wondering if anybody out there is as likely to overwork - in any medium - as I am.  It must be a personality thing.  I did this one on 9 x 6" cold press paper.  Thanks for visiting!

Nellie's Red Hat - original oil pastel figurative drawing

Totally love those flappers!  And the delight of not having enough time to make it an actual "finished painting" so it remains loose and more of a drawing.  Of course when is it a drawing and when is it a painting?  Some of my most successful drawings have been done with oils and you probably can say the same.  I was reading the other day about alternating between paintings, which I do, but always setting a timer for each one so there's a freshness for each piece.
I sometimes set a timer, but then get hung up on some little something and turn it off.  And then the overworking sets in.  Memo to me - obey the timer!  This drawing is on smooth Colourfix paper.  I bought two packages - one fresh grey and one black - great for lots of media - 12 x 9".  Thanks for looking!

Two-Stepper Sketch - original oil figurative sketch of dancers

Every summer I go to the rodeo dances here in Junction and draw and take photos, just like I do at the rodeo that precedes the dance.  I have tons of drawings and photos that I can draw upon (pun intended) through the winter months.  There's just nothing like the way people move, plus their expressions - endlessly fascinating, I think.  Like this guy and the way he was looking at his dance partner - I keep wondering. . . .  I'll be posting more two-steppers in the days ahead - have been looking for two-step instructional videos for those of you who are interested in learning, but most I've seen are so corny.  Will keep searching, though.  This one is 14 x 11" on stretched canvas.  Thanks for looking!

Portrait Sketch in Sanguine - original portrait drawing

I seldom use sanguine, but used it along with a few General's pastel sticks and had a good time with it.  Colors in the pack were perfect for redhead coloring and I used smooth 9 x 12"  Colourfix paper in Fresh Grey, which has a blue tint so the color couldn't have been better as a surface, I think.  Usually I'm not a fan of drawing teeth, but in this case, the model had such an engaging smile that I found it a pleasure.  I knew, though, that it would be difficult to hold, so I got the smile down right away because I loved the way it looked at the beginning.    Thanks for stopping by!

Blue Robe - original watercolor portrait painting

The cobalt blue robe was so pretty on the model and showed off her porcelain complexion perfectly - a joy to paint her.  Watercolor is always so iffy for me - tough to put the paint down and leave it alone, so maybe it's good I didn't feel there was enough time to get everything finished.  Putting the paint down on the paper and not noodling with it is foreign to me but I worked hard to do that here - just lifting the brush and not going back. Whew!  On about 7 x 6" watercolor paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

Floating Nude - original oil pastel nude

I loved the pose and painted it on 5 x 7" Pastelbord using Sennelier oil pastels.  This brand of oil pastels is like painting/drawing with a luscious lipstick, plus by not sharpening to a point, I feel it keeps my work from being too tight.  It seems that when I touch the surface with the blunt, unsharpened oil pastel, it's anybody's guess where it will land 😀 and that often works out well, I think!
When I looked at this piece later in the day, I realized I hadn't fully covered the bottom with the red rug and decided it looked like she was floating - sooo "Floating Nude" it was.  Thanks for stopping by!

Ivy - original watercolor with ink painting of ivy

I was looking out my window and decided to do this little jar of ivy in the window.  After doing the leaves, I decided they needed a few lines - I'm a line lover - so I took out my ballpoint and added lines here and there.  It was early morning when I did this one and it was fun to start my day with this little piece - about 8 1/2 x 5 1/2".  Thanks for stopping by!

Profile in Charcoal - original charcoal drawing of woman in kimono

Love these profiles - this is a quick one in charcoal on 12 x 9" smooth Colourfix paper.  Not a lot of grit to it (what did I expect when it says "smooth") and I like it a lot for pastel pencils, not so sure about using it when drawing with charcoal.  It'll be okay with oil pastel, but won't hold lots of layers, so I'd better work at getting it right the first time and not piling it on the way I ususally do.  Thanks for stopping by!

Leah in Green - original oil pastel portrait

Green is such a beautiful color and I'm always looking for ways to include it in portraits, so it was wonderful that Leah strolled in wearing a green top.  Generally I like to mix greens, but I had a dark green that worked well and I lightened it here and there with lighter values - not with greens, but warmer colors like peachy shades.  I used mostly Holbein oil pastels on 7 x 5" Ampersand Pastelbord.   I'm posting this while listening to the soundtrack from "Honeymoon in Vegas" - so great and a funny movie, too!  Until recently, multi-tasking was considered a good thing, but lately I've been hearing that it's not such a great thing for one's brain.  Gotta protect those cells, so stopping now to hear the rest of Vegas, then on to Johnny Rodriguez.  Thanks for stopping by!

Portrait Sketch in Oil - original drawing in oil

Trying out the Strathmore oil paper, which I love, with a quick little sketch.  This paper has a linen-like surface that isn't at all distracting and is also perfect for oil pastel.  Strathmore has introduced some papers lately that I really like, in addition to this one - their Printmaking as well as the Dark Blue toned paper.  They're both great additions to the Strathmore line.  Thanks for stopping by!

A Couple of Baseball sketches - charcoal drawings

I have pages of these, but kinda liked these two - seemed to have the fire.  Keep hoping for the O's but alas - maybe next year.  Thanks for looking.

Blue Sofa - original oil pastel figurative painting

  This little 5 x 7" piece is Holbein oil pastel on Pastelbord.  Thanks for stopping by!