Thursday, November 05, 2020

A Little Sketch of the Model - original charcoal portrait drawing




black and white art, drawing, woman, profile, Connie Chadwell

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!
 

Sunday, October 25, 2020

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!
 

Thursday, October 22, 2020

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!




Sunday, October 04, 2020

Ready for Night - original pastel pencil portrait drawing



 
pastel pencil drawing of a red-headed woman
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!

Friday, October 02, 2020

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!

Friday, September 25, 2020

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!
 

Monday, September 21, 2020

Feather Earrings - original oil pastel portrait

black haired woman with red feather earrings
 
                                   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!

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

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!
 

Sunday, September 13, 2020

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!

Friday, September 11, 2020

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!

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

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!

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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!

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

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!

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

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!

Monday, June 29, 2020

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

seated woman looking down wearing black robe loose painting
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!

Thursday, May 21, 2020

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!

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

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!

Sunday, March 22, 2020

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!

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

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!

Friday, February 21, 2020

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!

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Melissa - original oil pastel portrait

woman, blue dress, black hair, 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!

Sunday, January 26, 2020

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!
                             

Sunday, January 05, 2020

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!

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Sketchbook Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude

charcoal line drawing of a female nude's back while lying on her side
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!

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The Student - original charcoal portrait drawing

charcoal portrait sketch of a young woman on toned paper
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!


Saturday, November 23, 2019

Sarah with Red Hair - original oil pastel portrait

portrait of woman with bright red hair against green background and wearing black
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!😃

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

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!

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Jive Scribbles No. 7 - how I draw jive dancers

ink drawing of man and woman jive dancing with lighter drawings of earlier poses
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!