Gouache and Pencil Standing Figure Life Study

This is a drawing I was rather pleased with, and it is missing

the head because it was a demo of using gouache ("gwash" -

opaque watercolor) in washes with a pencil, to quickly sketch

the figure, and capture the contrapposto stance. (where one

side opposes the other - very popular throughout history).

This model was also very graceful, but had such a sad face

I could hardly bear to draw it - but as previously stated, that's

not why it's missing.

Milena in "Essence" Technique

SOLD

This piece was done in the "essence" technique, which, I

just recently learned, Degas invented to be able to work in

a medium that looked like pastel which he would not have

to frame. -- Although Degas is thought of as being wealthy,

and was, in fact related to Italian nobility, his brother's

erstwhile, failed cotton business in New Orleans placed a

great deal of financial pressure on him during many years

of his life, so I guess he was looking, like most of us do, for

ways to economize. -- In this technique, the oil is soaked out

of the paint overnight on blotters, paper towels - Degas

apparently used cardboard - then scraped onto the palette

the next day.

Then, the paint is diluted with solvent (essence in French)

and can be painted on any unprepared paper surface.

Fun!