8/02/2008

Ancient Greek Venus Fragment


Pastel and Chacoal Pencil on White Drawing
Paper, 8" x 10 1/2" ( w/1" margins),
I love this image, even though it is very high
key and the color is very subtle. I feel that it
highlights the line work that way. Line is very
powerful - something that I am always encouraging
my students to understand. Trying to master
line is a big part of learning to draw fluently.
Thanks for visiting today, and have a nice
weekend.

7/31/2008

Oil Sketch of Lesli Posing


Oil on Gesso- and Oil-Primed Rag Board, 9" x12",
SOLD
This was a really fast sketch, and it looks like it.
I did this from a photograph - not from life. I enjoy
doing that, although I always wish I had a model in
front of me. Unfortunately, my studio is too tiny to
accomodate one, so the only time I get a chance to
work from life is when I am teaching, or if I go to an
open life class (which I should do more often...).
If only there were a pill you could take that would
cause you to never have to sleep - I'd be first in
line.
Thanks for visiting today.

7/29/2008

St. John Day


Oil on Archival Card, laid down on board, 6" x 5 1/2",
SOLD
When I was in the Virgin Islands a few years ago I took a lot of
photographs. I am glad I did, for I never get tired of creating land-
scapes using them for inspiration. I never copy them - they are
just "memory-joggers".
I love the colors of the Caribbean, and the
way they change constantly when you are there.
The infinite number of blues never ceases to amaze and
inspire me, and they are so much
fun to play with when I am painting. I enjoy
the challenge of trying to suggest a grand space on a
small picture plane. But the process of painting is also a peasure,
because as I am creating, I am immersed in memories of the place,
and it is a very sensuous experience.

7/28/2008

Quick Gouache Sketch of Alan Posing in Class


Sepia and White Gouache on Light Brown Pastel Paper,
8 1/4" x 6 1/2", Bid Here
This is a quick study of one of my favorite all-time models, Alan
(he has dreads), in one of my favorite mediums, gouache. For those
of you who don't know, gouache is an opaque form of watercolor.
If you ever see the term "bodycolor", particularly in books about
drawings from the past (silverpoint, Renaissance, etc.), "bodycolor"
refers to white or colored gouache.
Gouache is wonderful, because you can use it both transparently
and opaquely, so it is virtually impossible to make a mistake -
at least that you can't cover up!! I love it for quick sketches like
this, and I prefer it over watercolor for painting in water media
in general, primarily because I don't have the skill in it that someone
like Belinda del Pesco has. She rocks with watercolor!
Thanks for visiting today. I hope you are surviving the heat,
wherever you are!