The Model in a Red Coat - original oil pastel portrait

This painting is 7 x 5" on Ampersand Pastelbord.  Thanks for looking!

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!

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.

Cinda's Necklace - original oil pastel portrait drawing

The necklace that the model, Cinda, was wearing interested me.  I wanted to describe it, but not let it take over the drawing.  So, I just left everything understated - 7 x 5" on Pastelbord.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sketch of Lexie Sleeping - original oil pastel figurative drawing

I started this sketch with watercolor, but after about three strokes, I knew it wouldn't work out, (as most of my attempts with watercolor do).  So, onward with my trusty oil pastels.  The support is 9 x 12" 140 pound cold press watercolor paper which worked out well - it's really a lot like Sennelier oil pastel paper.  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - Tango Portrait - original oil pastel portraits in progress

I started work on this one today and will let it dry for a few days, then come back and see where this little couple takes me.  When I look at it, I see all the things I should fix and some things that I can't fix without completely redoing it.  Arghhh - I tear my hair!  Well, not actually, but I feel like it.  This is done on 9 x 12" Pastelbord.  One of the nice things about Ampersand Pastelbord is that oil pastel gets pretty dry on it, so when I really load the support with oil pastel, it works to dry the pastel a little, so that I can work on it again.  I really appreciate your stopping by my blog - thanks so much!

Sketch of Shari - original oil pastel portrait sketch

The model was tired, I was getting a bit weary myself, and I think the feeling is reflected in this quick drawing.  I used dark green Mi-Teintes board, which seems to give a looser feel to oil pastel drawings.  It's about 10 1/2 x 12"  - thanks so much for stopping by!

Sketch of Kristi - original oil pastel portrait sketch

This sketch was done from a sketch from life - so, a sketch from a sketch, I guess.  My joy in doing this was that I used carton paper (about 12 x 9") from Judson's Guerilla Painter - so wonderful and so like that used by the impressionists.  I have always loved that look - as if it were done on cardboard, but I could never find anything like they used, without actually having to resort to cardboard.  Which I would love to do, but I know it's a no-no. 
Check out my oil pastel blog to see my latest flamenco dancer.  I usually like to post oil paintings or drawings on Hackberry Street Studio and use most of my oil pastels for my oil pastel blog, but
I am currently going crazy trying to get some oil paintings finished and some of them just won't cooperate.  Oh well.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Sketch of Lisa - original oil pastel portrait painting

I worked on two oil pastel paintings today - the idea was to post one to my oil pastel blog and the other to this one, but the other painting isn't ready, so here's the little (7 x 5") sketch for Hackberry Street Studio.  This painting/sketch was done from a drawing from life and I allowed myself a short time to do it so it wouldn't be overworked.  At least, I hope it isn't.  Mostly Sennelier, with a few Caran d'Ache on Pastelbord.  Digging through my 'stuff', I found a bunch of things that I forgot about and I suspect will be showing up here in the coming weeks.  Do you do that?  Find things to resurrect?  Such fun - sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, but it's fun trying!  Thanks for stopping by!

On My Easel - oil pastel portrait sketch of Cindy in progress

 I don't know if I'll "finish" this one, or if it's already finished, but I'm just not inclined to work on it any further - will begin something else, instead.  The lines please me and I don't want to cover them up.  I'm having lots of company right now, so I'll probably concentrate on drawings for another week or so.  It's just so easy to pick up where you left off with a drawing - no messiness to it.  Unless you count the charcoal that I somehow get all over my face.  This piece is oil pastel on Mi-Teintes board, 11 x 12".  Thanks for looking!

The Spanish Model - original oil pastel portrait sketch

The model was originally from Spain and had a sort of playful quality - really great at holding a pose, too.  This was a quick one, of course; these short sketches have to stand or fall on what's put down on the surface in a short time.  I think quick studies can be one of the best drawing improvers, plus show a bit of the artist in an unguarded moment.  It's on 7 x 5" Pastelbord.  Thank you for visiting my blog.

A Little Smile - original oil pastel portrait sketch

Here's more of my portrait sketching - this one using Sennelier oil pastels on carton - a newish surface that I love, reminiscent of the tan card used by Toulouse-Lautrec.  Lovely to work on, it's available from Judson Art.  This sketch is 12 x 9" - thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Lexie, Reading - original oil pastel portrait sketch

I did this drawing from life and it took a little less than 20 minutes - kind of a gesture portrait.   It's just wonderful to have models right here in River City and get to practice my all time favorite drawing exercise - short pose.   I used 9 x 12" Colourfix paper in a light grey blue. Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please visit my oil pastel blog