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!

More Strumming - original oil portrait sketch

I just love doing these quick little - in this case 12 x 9" on panel - studies.  Once I was attending a graduate class at Texas Tech and the professor said to me after we had completed some quick paintings from life that he would love to see what I could do with a week on the same pose.  I thought to myself 'I would completely kill the piece'.  Nothing like spending a little time on something and then moving on.  That's why I love drawing groups that feature short poses, but they're not easy to find.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Country Music - original charcoal figurative

This drawing started out as a gesture sketch from life at a dance, then I just filled it in with vine charcoal and the occasional swipe of my kneaded eraser.  Really, it is like the silhouette drawing exercise, which I think is so effective for showing each part of the figure in relation to everything else.  Charcoal on pastel paper, 12 x 9".  Thanks for stopping by!

The Folksinger - original charcoal figurative drawing

Nothing like a musician to get the charcoal working.  Really good performance by this guy and I feel I really captured him.  This drawing is on mixed media paper, about 10 x 7".  Thanks for looking!

Strumming - original oil figurative sketch

This sketch was done on Arches oil paper, using a limited palette (black, white, yellow ochre and Indian red) and is about 11 x 11".   It's really great to paint on this surface - very freeing - no pressure to create a 'masterpiece' - not saying I ever do, of course.  Thanks for looking!

Sketch of a Guitarist - original charcoal/watersoluble pencil figurative drawing

This drawing is on paper for pens, but I think it makes a nice surface for other media, too.  Will probably use this drawing for a flamenco painting.  Lately, I seem to be as interested in the musicians as the dancers  The paper is 12 x 9".  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - Sketch for Flamenco Guitar - original charcoal figurative drawing in progress

Here's the plan - I will paint this in oil, with a few minor changes and it will be wonderful.  In my dreams.  (Picture of me with mouth curved down).  The same pose, more or less, is on my oil pastel blog today.  Usually since I'm such a 'drawer', the drawing or sketch is better than the resulting painting.  Maybe this time it'll be different!  Did this on 12 x 9" Canson illustration paper using a Prang charcoal pencil - the kind with the string - and I loved it!  It has a wonderful feel to it and covers well and quickly.  Thanks for stopping by!

Red Skirt - original oil figurative painting

I've been seeing lots more variety in the attire of flamenco dancers, lately, and really like this trend. Seeing really good, emotional flamenco is such a wonderful experience - not to be missed!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Flamenco Practice - original mixed media figurative painting

I vacillate between 'this is interesting' and 'this is crazy'.  Right now, 'this is interesting' has the upper hand.    I was fooling around with a piece of Yupo and some watercolor crayons, watercolor, ink, graphite, and finally, some oil pastel.  It's about 10 x 7".  Thanks for stopping by!

Music Lovers - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

I've had this painting in my head for awhile and today I finally got it done - or 'got 'er done' - as they say in these parts. I'm happy because I think it expresses the emotion I was seeking.

It's 6 x 6" on Gessobord.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Red Guitar - original oil figurative painting by Connie Chadwell

Here's another version of Rock Star, this time it's oil on panel - 7 x 5". Thanks for looking!