Oil Sketch over Grisaille of Sharon Posing

Oil on Linen, 4 1/4" x 6 1/4"

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This is a loose color study over
a black and white oil grisaille
(underpainting).

Painting this way is really fun,
because you do a black and white
version first, let it dry, and then
paint over it.

This is the way oil paintings were
first done in the 14th/15th Centuries.

I painted into a wet glaze of Gamblin's
Transparent Earth Red, a wonderful,
all-around useful color that I have used
many times for this same technique.

Sonia's Back

Oil on Stretched Canvas, 7.75" x 10", SOLD

Here is that painting I showed the beginning of a few

months ago. I finally finished it! Don't ask me why it

took so long....you don't want to know. It's a loooong

story.

Anyway, I have another post today - a small landscape

painting I partially made up. But I am very happy with

this one, if I do say so myself. I love the colors. I used

my chromatic grays that I mix to paint the drapery that

she is sitting on. It came out perfectly. Just a little

dioxizine purple and some chromatic gray warm!

So much fun.

Sorry about the glare.

Thanks for visiting today.

Essence Sketch of Reclining Model

NFS
Well, I am happy to say that my hand is finally healed,
and I no longer have to wear my hand support (excepting
when I am typing on the computer for long stretches). I
have been gathering ideas for things that I want to paint,
and I am looking forward to the coming week when I will
begin in earnest to become involved in my work again.

I know that after such a long time away from my regular
routine it will be touch and go at first. I have always
thought ( and I tell my students this) of "artistic ability",
whatever it is, as something that we don't really "own" per
se, it comes and hangs around for a while, and graces our
lives with happiness when we have it - but it can just as
easily leave for awhile. I console myself knowing that
Edward Hopper, whose work I truly admire, didn't paint
for five years at one point. Hard to imagine, but true.
Just think how unhappy he must have been!

Well, today I have an essence (check back in former posts
for a definition) drawing on Canson pastel paper. I am very
fond of this one. It is not for sale, because it was already sold.
I'm so glad I have a picture of it. I wish I had the real thing.

Thanks for visiting today.

Demo Drawing of a Recumbant Figure

NFS
This small drawing is a demonstration in graphite pencil of drawing a

reclining figure. The arrow that seems to be shooting out from her

right breast is pointing out the concept of "negative space", or "background

shapes" - those shapes within, and outside of, a pose that one can utilize

to make it easier to get the figure in proportion.

Reclining Nude - Study for a Larger Work

NFS
This is a very small drawing - about 4" by 5". It was done in
colored pencil and graphite on some thin yellow paper. The
reason it is squared up is that I intend it to be a study for a larger
work. What kind of work that is to be, I do not know. Monotype?
Painting? Pastel? Drawing? Who knows? At least I am doing
some artwork again!!!

If you have been following this blog, you will have noticed that
my last post was October 30th, 2008. Sometimes we just haven't
got it. It just isn't there. I have always had this concept of
artistic "talent" or whatever you want to call it, as something
that we don't own. It comes and visits us for awhile. Sometimes
it is a very pleasant visit. Other times....well....you know. There
are a lot of things I want to do now. I wanted to do them before.
I just couldn't. These people who work everyday amaze me, and
have my greatest admiration.

Thanks for visiting today. Hopefully, there will be something
here very soon again. NFS

Gestural Figure Study in Red and White Conte on Blue Paper

Red & White Conte on Blue Paper,

11" x 14" , NFS

I really enjoyed working from this model.

She is so statuesque. Gesture drawing is

so much fun, and good for you too! So many

students are afraid to let go and try it - they

don't realize how much it can improve your

drawing.......

Tiny Figure

Drypoint Etching, 3" x 4"
SOLD
This really is a tiny figure. I had it
in mind to do a series of these. This
is the first one. It is based on a photo
that I took of woman who used to model
for my classes who was fabulous.
Unfortunatetly, she doesn't model
anymore. She was tall and stately,
and really fun to do gesture drawings
of, because she had really long legs
and expressive hands, and she always
had her hair up, but it was always
falling down into these great shapes.

This was drawn on a zinc plate, and printed
on French Rives BFK printmaking paper.
I only printed a couple of prints today, and I
think I'll probably only get about eight good
ones out of the edition, because the lines are
so delicate. But, I am very happy with the
image.