Sketching at the Bar - original figurative sketch

Much fun even for a teetotaler like me.  And folks there knew what I was up to and they didn't care.  They were having a good time ringing in the New Year - and Happy New Year BTW!🎉 This woman was gazing at someone farther down the bar and was having a good time watching what was going on.  I was involved in drawing her as quickly as I could and didn't see the object of her stare.  Anyway, I always find that folks at bars are having a good time and I love trying to capture those emotions. Well, mostly they're having fun, but sometimes, not so much😧.  I love emojis (can you tell?😀😀).  This sketch was drawn with Caran d'Ache NeoPastels on heavy gray paper - sometimes it separates from the tablet.  I could put an emoji here but I won't.  Oh well😁

 

 

What I'm Working on Today - bar scene figurative oil painting

Working from a bar scene I saw a few evenings ago, this 9 x 12" painting is coming along fairly well.  I have so many sketches from that evening, though, that I may just do a tiny bit more on this and begin another one.  Much more fun that way, so maybe that's a plan.  Thanks 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!

Whispers at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

It seems like months since I've posted.  I've been away, then much wonderful company for the week of spring break.  So now I'm back with another result of my spying at the bar.  This is about 9 x 9" on gessoed panel.  Although I didn't post for awhile, I was actually doing art - just not sharing, I guess.  This painting was originally 9 x 12", but I didn't like part of it, so just sawed it off.  I've done things like that before.  One time I was in an art show where I had originally planned to submit a complete figure, but I decided I only really liked the top part of the figure, so I just tore everything off from the arms down.  It worked - looked lots better than if I had included everything.  Plus, much cheaper to frame! This one, you can probably tell, I did in a hurry.  And meant to, so I couldn't kill it with my overworking thing.  I just sort have to force myself to let it go.  Sigh.  Art is hard sometimes.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Cocktail Waitress - original oil pastel figurative painting

I know.  Maybe not the usual subject, but I did observe this young woman working very hard - dealing with many different types of customers, taking multiple drink orders, working quickly and efficiently and all with perfect aplomb.  I don't think I could do it, especially in that tiny uniform!  Just another of my bar observations.  It's 7 x 5" on Pastelbord. Thanks for stopping by! Sold

Over a Glass of Wine - original oil pastel figurative painting

For a teetotaler, I sure do like the bar scenes.  I just cannot resist the interaction between people, especially between men and women.  This was a quick sketch and there are things that could be changed (corrected?) but I just don't want to lose the "in the moment" feel that I think it has.  It's painted on 5 x 7" Pastelbord.  Thank you so much for dropping by!  Also, if you have time, please check out my oil pastel blog.

Chatting at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

I was mainly obsessed with the woman's red hair and the way she was looking up at the man.  Snoopy me, watching and sketching.  I'm always wondering whether to abstract the bottles or make them more distinct - this time, I didn't abstract them so much, but may do it, yet.  This painting is on 12 x 9" panel - thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Together on Friday Evening - original oil figurative painting

  

This painting is on 9 x 12" gessoed panel - Gessobord, I think.  The table in the background had a shorter tablecloth, but I just like the look of longer ones, so I just took artistic license.  We artists get to do that, you know.  I had an fellow life drawing enthusiast tell me once, when I was fretting over something crazy I had done, 'that's okay, Connie, you're an artist'.  It really brought me up short.  I had never considered such a thing.  But I liked it.  I really did and I still do.  Use it all the time.

Have a great weekend everyone - and thanks for visiting my blog! 

PS. to make it more "bar like", I just glazed it with warmth.

A Good Listener - original oil pastel figurative drawing

This was a fun drawing - I was watching this scene, and although I wasn't in a position to draw it "on-site", I totally remembered it when I was back in my studio.  She nodded her head, sympathetically, to his every sentence.  It was sweet.  This oil pastel is on 8 x 10" Pastelbord.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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!

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

Waiting at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

She kept glancing toward the door.  As I was leaving, I passed the guy she was waiting for and - nosy me - when I looked back, she had a smile on her face and her eyes were fixed on him.  I'm always happy when these little stories end well.  This painting is on 10 x 8" archival canvas board.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Sold

A Kiss At The Bar - original oil figurative painting

This painting is on 6 x 6" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for visiting Hackberry Street Studio.  I have to hurry to get this post finished so it will be ready for picking up by Daily Painters.  Please check my latest posting on my oil pastel blog.  Thanks again! Sold

Another Couple at the Bistro - original oil figurative painting

I just love the blues that decorate this little establishment - juxtaposing warm and cool of any hue is thrilling to me and it's probably why I've always loved this place.  Plus there are always plenty of people to observe - and then paint.  I'm sort of a gossip in paint.  Instead of saying "you should have seen so-and-so at such-and-such a place", I just paint them.  But you're safe!  In almost all cases, I don't know my subjects and only make teeny little sketches - maybe just a turn of head that's hard to remember otherwise.  I do just a few lines, more akin to a gesture than a full-fledged sketch, and then I make them 'my people', anyway.
This one is 5 x 7" on Gessobord.  Thanks for stopping by!  Sold

Another Bar - original oil pastel figurative painting

Here's something that I posted on The Oil Pastel Review, which is my oil pastel only blog, a few posts back and now I think it's finished - more or less. Nothing is ever finished, really, but things do sometimes come close. It's on 16 x 20" Pastelbord and is one in my ongoing series of bar scenes.

By the way, do check out the nude sketch I did on OPR using Sennelier Nature oil pastels.

Thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio - it's always great seeing you here!

New Year's Eve at the Bar - original oil figurative painting

If  you're anywhere near San Antonio, Texas, be sure and visit the McNay.  It's wonderful anytime, but until January 16th, the exhibition, Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism is there and what a show it is!  Absolutely wonderful and inspiring.  I attended briefly the other day, but intend to go back and take my time.
This painting is 8 x 10" on Gessobord.  Thanks so much for stopping by and for visiting Hackberry Street Studio during 2010!   I hope 2011 will be the greatest year yet for you!                                  

                                                  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Lonely Girl - original oil portrait painting

I just think her sort of Gibson girl hair-do appealed to me.  This was a quick, loose study, as you can tell, and fun to do.  It's painted on 10 x 8" Gessobord.  Love that Gessobord! Thanks so much for looking - if you would like to email me, just click on the 'contact me' button to the right of my posts. 
Oh, I almost forgot - tonight I saw a car with a big, lighted Christmas tree on it being driven around town.  I was leaving my studio as the car passed by and I just stood there - with my mouth open, I'm sure - and watched.  I loved it - so unique, expressive and happy!

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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Alone at the Bar II - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

This painting is oil on 7 x 5" gessoed panel.  Thanks so much for visiting Hackberry Street Studio - I love it when you drop by! Sold

The Guys at the Bar - original figurative oil painting by Connie Chadwell

Love those bars! This painting is 11 x 14" on Fredrix archival canvas board. Thanks for stopping by!