Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Sketch of Boxers - original oil pastel figurative drawing

As a little kid, I watched the 'fights' on TV with my father - a brutal sport, I know, but I admire the superb conditioning of the contestants.   I'm thinking about doing more of these drawings, possibly long panels of them.  This one was done on carton paper, 7 x 5".  Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Pink Tutu - oiginal oil pastel figurative painting

I had the pleasure of sitting and watching some young ballerinas - a real drawing opportunity.  This one kept fiddling with her new tutu - I think she just loved touching it and feeling like a real ballerina.  The painting is done on 7 x 5" carton from Judson's Art Outfitters - can also be purchased from Amazon.  I love the cardboard color, since I'm a fan of drawing on cardboard - even though that's a no-no in the conservation department.  The carton is archival and good for oil, acrylic and soft pastel, as well.  Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 05, 2014

Ink Dance - original ink figurative drawing


I had planned to use oil pastel on this drawing, but was happy with just the lines - I really have a crush on line drawings, right now.  Drawn on Paris paper for pens, it's 12 x 9".   Thanks for visiting!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Seated Dancer - original ink figurative drawing

Line is my favorite drawing method and I had a really good time with this little drawing - squiggle, squiggle.  It's done with an Itoya Doubleheader and touches from my Niji Waterbrush on Borden & Riley Paris paper, 12 x 9".  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Woman at a Restaurant - original ink figurative drawing

Another line drawing - just fooling around with ink, 12 x 9" on Borden and Riley Paris paper for pens.  Today I participated in a photogravure printmaking class sponsored by the McNay Art Museum in conjunction with their photogravure exhibit.  We went to Hare and Hound Press for instruction - I will never master the intricacies of printmaking, but today was interesting and fun. 
Here's my print - maybe a little over wiped, but not too bad, I think.
Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Matisse Attempt - original ink drawing after Matisse

Today I went to the Matisse exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art and it was just so interesting.  Here is a (pathetic, I know) attempt at that kind of art.  Now that I look at it, I realize how far from Matisse it is.  His work is more difficult than one would think - MUCH more - but it's kind of fun to try.  I bought an exhibition catalogue (of course) and a print of Embroidered Dark Blouse, plus a few tiny prints, two French song CDs, and I was waiting to look at some other prints being unpacked, but I thought 'I have to get out of here before I spend any more money!' - I love shopping at museums - so many delicious things.  My husband would probably say that I love shopping anywhere.  I drew this on 140lb cold press watercolor paper - thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Brenda - original oil pastel portrait drawing


I wish I'd had more time for this drawing, but  anyway, I loved working on this gray-blue Strathmore 403 oil pastel paper. I know - it looks tan, but that is just my pathetic photography.  My palette was very limited. It's about 9 x 9".  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

On My Easel - Songstress - original figurative oil painting in progress

Here's a beginning - will see where it goes, if it does - am working on so many things at the moment.  I just never know which will turn out well.  It's 10 x 10" on gessoed panel.  Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Sweet Tea - original oil portrait painting

Ahhh - sweet tea - the elixir of the South.  Has to be just right - no harshness - never ever boiled even for a second.  But it does have to have a real "tea" taste and be sweet - but not too sweet.  Sounds crazy, I know, but it has to taste just right and you know when it does.  Reminds me of that Jackie Mason routine.  This piece is part life and part photo - sometimes you gotta use photos - 10 x 10" on gessoed panel.  Thanks for looking!

Friday, August 15, 2014

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!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Nude Sketch - original charcoal sketch of a nude

It seems I got a little caught up in the model's face and never really "fleshed" it out.  She had such a lovely face and I was trying to do it justice.  Anyway, maybe I'll get another chance with this model - she said she'd be back.  Also, not totally pleased with how I took the photo; maybe I'll retake it tomorrow.  I'm such a nitpicker! Vine charcoal on warm white - with a peach tint - Strathmore 403, it's 12 x 6 1/2".  Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Black and White Jive - original charcoal figurative drawing

This drawing is on Strathmore 403 paper, which is really formulated for oil pastels, although it's being touted as good for soft pastels, as well.  They should definitely mention that it's also a great and forgiving paper for charcoals.  I enjoyed drawing this one so much, not just because of the paper, but I had fun with my kneaded eraser.  I like to turn a drawing upside down to see if I like the marks and this one pleased me.  It's on 9 x 12" Strathmore 403 - thanks for looking! 

Friday, August 01, 2014

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!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Two Nudes - original charcoal nude drawing

Here are two more nudes from the latest drawing session.  Done on Strathmore drawing paper, about 14 x 9".  I drew while listening to "music" that sounded like pots and pans banging around.  I am not kidding - but it was a mostly youngish group and since I was the newcomer, I couldn't say anything.  Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, July 28, 2014

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!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Sketch for Cowboy Painting - original charcoal figurative sketch

I've done and redone and redone this one again and again - my painting teacher used to say 'just start another one', but since it's charcoal and easily erased on this canvas with hardboard backing, I just ignored the little voice in my head and went ahead with it.  I'll spray it well - have never done this before, but I hear it works - and paint over it, making changes as I go.  Anyway, it was fun and instructive, which I guess is another way of saying that I was learning from my mistakes.  It's 16 x 20" - thanks for stopping by!

Friday, July 25, 2014

Nude with Her Cell - original charcoal drawing of a nude

It's always so great to have a model, that if they need to talk on their cell - or whatever - it's okay.  Good models are hard to find - or maybe I should say - models are hard to find, whether good or bad.  This one was good, I'm happy to say.  Vine charcoal on drawing paper, it's about 13 x 6".  Thanks for looking.  Steaming in Texas tonight - after 11 o'clock right now and it's 86 degrees!
 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

JiveHappy - original ink figurative drawing

My little jivers are back with a vengeance - well, actually, they are never far away.  I think all my little characters know I love them!  I've been doing lots of sketches that may or may not end up as paintings.  I'm a firm believer in drawing just for the sake of drawing - so whether they become paintings doesn't really matter to me.  This one is ink on 6 x 6" Bristol board.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

A Solitary Evening - original oil pastel figurative painting

This 7 x 5" painting is on Pastelbord.  I'm just waiting for the sprinkler system to wind down - but if my calculations are correct, it will be another couple of hours before I can go to bed.  Next time I'll start it a lot earlier!  We had some rain here in central Texas last week, but it's really, really hot, so I'm back to watering.  Have been busy rearranging my studio and throwing away tons of stuff.  I want to start using my little press again and I have to put it in a more prominent place, so I'm reminded it's there.  Of course, what started out as something simple - with just one objective - has now mushroomed and there are many objectives.  When it's completed, though, I think I'll love it.  Will post pictures, but don't hold your breath - this is definitely going to take some time!  Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Summer Reader - original oil pastel figurative sketch

Here's a little sketch I did of a girl engrossed in her book - not the required reading during school terms.  The joy of summer - I remember it well!  This is oil pastel on 9 x 12" Strathmore 403 paper.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Bareback Rider - original charcoal figurative drawing

This little charcoal drawing is one that I did in front of the TV last night while I was watching a rodeo. Working really fast is artistically invigorating for me and it's such good practice.  Also very challenging is that the format is only 6 x 6".  On Bristol board.  Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, July 11, 2014

Flamenco in Ink - original ink and pastel figurative drawing

I have some paper that I love - the color, anyway, it's a gorgeous aqua from Fabriano Tiziano - and I just could not make it work the way I wanted with charcoal.  So, I did one of my drawings that I've actually done before, but this time in ink with touches of pastel.  At last, a semblance of what I'm looking for.  This is not the best photo, as usual, photography is not my strongest point - the color of the paper is actually more aquaey.  It's about 20 x 26".  Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

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!

Monday, June 30, 2014

Seated Model - original oil figurative painting


I finally got around to finishing this painting.  Not totally satisfied - always like the sketch better, but at least it's done.  It's almost as if I've been on vacation from my blog - and I have, sort of.  But always sketching and trying new things, such as some gorgeous aqua-colored paper, that was SUCH a disappointment to me; at least, a disappointment in the way I had intended to use it.  So, am exploring other ways to make it work.  This piece is on 14 x 11" Fredrix paint board.  Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

One Nude - original charcoal drawing of a nude


Here it is morning and I'm posting a drawing - usually it's late at night or in the wee hours that I post.  Actually, I think I like this better, but one probably can't change one's established ways.  This drawing was done from a seated position, so I was looking upward at the model - my favorite way to draw from life. Well, I don't mean that I like to draw sitting down, but there was no stand for her, so I sat down.  Standing is my favorite way to draw, but that only works for me if the model has a platform. This was a quick drawing, so there's a lot that could be 'corrected', but then I would probably lose a lot, too.  And every time - and I do mean every time - I do that, I ruin the drawing  This nude is one that I cut from a group of three.  There's some shading on the right from the nude that was there.  Just didn't like the others and I really loved this pose, too.  This was done on Borden and Riley Bristol Plate - and as much as I love Bristol, it's just a bit less forgiving for charcoal work.   This drawing is 14 x 5" - thanks for looking!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

On My Easel - seated model oil figurative work in progress

I started the painting of my previous charcoal drawing on 14 x 11" Fredrix paint board - one of my very favorite surfaces.  My accompaniment today was the soundtrack, or at least, the music that was 'inspired by' - as they put it - Call the Midwife.  So many sweet songs are included - mostly from the late 50s, and maybe early 60s.  Will finish this tomorrow, working on my grays - they really need some oomph!  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Sunday, June 08, 2014

Charcoal Sketch of a Seated Model - original figurative charcoal drawing

I was very fortunate to have some wonderful company for the past week or so and they just happened to be terrific models, so I have lots of drawings from which to make paintings.  Maybe my enthusiasm for the drawings will carry over into making the paintings.  For me, drawings are so immediate and don't even require me to think - just react to the model.  It's absolute heaven!  I did one painting from life, last week, that turned out really well, but the other one was a failure.  Except for the nose.  The nose was pretty good, so I wiped off everything but the nose.  This drawing was done with really soft vine charcoal on cream Strathmore drawing paper and is about 10 x 8".  Thanks so much for stopping by!