Life Drawing #2

11"x 14"  Jack Richeson & Co., Inc. Assorted Sauce drawing crayons + Blue & Brown soft pastel on primed board.

It's obvious which medium is which here.  I added the soft pastel around the figure to give it a bit more color.  This is a good example NOT to follow.  If you are going to do something like this, it's best to "blend" to  match the softness created in the figure.  

Now viewing this work on here, I find how I've left this undone,...... too distracting.  My eye definitely doesn't know where to land.  I've lost the importance of my focal point.  

 I may fix this, I may not.  Being the visual person I am, this would be a good example to share with my students when we talk about the importance of texture and edges. 

My critique:    The color in the background of this sketch doesn't compliment the subject.  It would have if I'd softened the application of pastel with my fingers.  Here it shows the texture of the substrate (surface)....making IT the focal point, not my subject. The figure is like a "bystander".  "Okay, there's something curvy in the middle that is white/off white.....Yawn".

Oil Sketch......

Oil sketch on canvas board - 8"x 10"

Here's a break from my usual subject matter.  There's a "Life Drawing Group" that meets twice a month in Fairfield, IA.  There is one model for each session held.  The space is large enough that everyone attending has a unique perspective and lots of natural light to work from.

Pose sessions begin with quick sketch exercises.....starting from 30 seconds and going up to maybe 20 minutes.  Then a long pose for 45 mins. to 1 hour.

I used to attend these sessions years ago and I'm so happy they are still meeting now.  This was my first time back in say....5 years maybe?  Too long....I don't remember last :(

AND.....my first time using oils as my medium of choice for the long pose.  I used a flat brush for the entire work here.  Not sure the #, but I'd say approx. width as being around 3/8's? 

Proportions aren't exactly "correct" here....but this IS meant to be a study and I was pleased I captured how the light from the windows fell on this model.

A Father's Love

15.5"x 22"  Soft Pastel on Wallis paper

Here's a bond that is sooooooo precious!  When my daughter shared with me the photo taken of Clint and my new grandson Aden, I knew right away that I wanted to paint this moment using pastels.

Aden is only a few days old here.  I'm pretty sure this picture was taken while they were still at the hospital.....probably getting ready to go home.  He's 7 months old now and just a bundle of Joy!

I've been blessed with kids that embrace the electronic age......have GREAT camera/phones and get that "kodak" moment when I'm not around.  Thankfully, then share them either on Facebook or by gifting me with photobooks.  I'm a happy camper :D

"Phoebe"

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Oil - 48"x 24"

I really had fun with this piece.  Colors are actually brighter then what is shown here.  This was the best I could do with the photo I took before delivering this to my son & daughter-in-law tonight.  I applied the last few strokes of paint this afternoon.  Talk about a last minute Christmas gift. (it was actually started  a month ago.)

Just for a change, I decided to not cover the entire area of toned canvas and let it be the "background" in this work.  The only exception was to add a few strokes showing the shadow play on the sidewalk where Phoebe was standing.  I intentionally left detail out of her hands, dress, and feet as well.   I guess this would be called....a "sketch" instead of a finished painting.

The finished work...."The Demo"

Here's a view of the painting on my easel with the photo reference.

Checking values here.....

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23"x 17"  Pastel on Wallis paper.

I love that I'm able to get some candid camera shots when Bill Printy is giving demonstrations at Iron & Lace. This particular day he was working at his outdoor forge, creating a metal leaf in front of a group of 3rd & 4th graders.

Easel work space at Iron & Lace store

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I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post.

I've been working the past week on this painting at the Printy's store "Iron & Lace".  It could've been done long before now and I'll continue working on it today.  The shirt and hands area aren't finished yet.

The view out the window is the front porch of the store.  To my left, a large picture window that has a spectacular view of the Des Moines river.  Betty's Raku pottery is highlighted in this area. (the rabbit here).

I have endless inspiration for paintings around me.  Bill Printy (here- the Blacksmith) provides plenty of opportunities to watch him work at his craft.  The photo I'm using as reference for this pastel was taken last year while he was demonstrating for a group of Elem. school kids.

"The Clancy's"

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40"x30" Oil on stretched canvas

I was able to get a better picture of this oil painting I did last month.  It's hard for me to capture a true likeness of a work when there's a lot of really dark colors.  The handle of the rifle is distinct from Nancy's gown in the painting.   

This couple used to travel to participate in Civil War Enactments through out the Midwest.  Brent moved on last year, to walk a higher path with God.  Nancy has since opened an antique store on the West side of the business square in Bloomfield Iowa. She shares her knowledge and passion of the Civil War era with anyone that is interested.   

This year during the enactment of a raid near Bloomfield (always held on the second weekend in October), there is plans for an evening  formal ball in period dress.  I may be taking my oldest Granddaughter to this event.  Definitely want my camera with me.  Nancy plans to help us out with the appropriate dress code for  the time.

....and another pic, showing progress.

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I've made very little progress this past week on this piece.  Yes, A WEEK - 7 DAYS.....UGH!  I can't believe how I'm dragging this work out.  (In a way, I can .....I've mastered the art of procrastination. But, fortunately, that's not my only excuse this time for not being farther along here).   I've had other duties of being Mom, Housewife, Accountant....you get the picture of the other "jobs" that eat up time.

I've finished sculpting the lady's face, her top, and left hand holding the rifle.  What I find odd is, I'm right handed and tend to finish up the right side of a work and move leftward.  When I used to work exclusively in pencil, I trained myself to work left to right. (so not to SMEAR everything)  Now, I've fallen back to my old habit of the reverse.

How do any of you artists out there paint?  I never tire of the wonders of creating something. That's what gets me stuck on "Pinterest" too.  All the creative ideas......from beautiful/fantastically executed paintings, DIY projects, storage space ideas, and the current rage of makeovers using "Pallets". (...and YES...I have a few of those stacked in my barn :D  )

Well.....back to this work shown here.  This week is also going to be a slow process.  I'm thrilled I have commission work to do and have to meet a client today.  Time is a very precious commodity....gift....how ever you want to phrase it.  What I know about me is, if I have to run around doing errands here,there,everywhere.......by the time I get home, the energy to focus on painting  isn't there.  The trick here is to mentally "trick" myself to say I'm not tired :D    

"Curled up in a ball"

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6"x6" Pastel on board

Guess I'm not done with painting images of our beloved cat Wabbles.  Here's another example of using the gouche paints as an underpainting, then finishing the picture with soft pastels.  

......And.......I'm not done yet :D  I have at least 2 more photos of Wabbles I plan to work from.  Then it's our new member of the family, Obie, that will be my next model.  He will be a challenge since he's a black & white kitty.  

"Focused"

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6"x6" Pastel on board

I Love the contrast here....Wabbles was watching a lady bug crawl across the floor ...hunter instincts kicking in, waiting to pounce. The light source is from our South facing picture window.

Again, I've used the gouche paints to establish my value range, then I block in colors with my soft pastels. I'll be sharing this technique of underpainting in a class this summer for the Villages Folk School.

Profile Pose

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6"x6"  pastel on board

I really like the affect of using gouche (opaque watercolors) to establish my value range before applying soft pastels.  I haven't tried this in a larger format yet.  I've been staying with small 6x6 to 8x8 squares lately.

I'm feeling ready to branch out to larger sizes.  We'll see what today brings.........to be continued.......

Look into my eyes......

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6"x6" Pastel on board
Good puppy! I love Labs. I had a black lab years ago and treasure the memories of her.  At the time, a lot of change was going on in my life. So much so, I was forced to find a nice couple to adopt my girl Shadow.  My daughter kept tabs on her (too painful for me to do at the time).  I did know in my heart, she was loved and that's what matters the most to me.

We can't always control the circumstances around us, only how we react to them. In stating this, I realize it's only up to me to continue pursuing my dream of being a prosperous contemporary artist/teacher (and staying healthy while creating).  I have the access to material, place to work, and TIME to devote to studio work. (and workout for the other topic I've mentioned.....good health).

I hope all that read this post today understand where I'm coming from.  We all have our own paths to follow.  I'm ever grateful for the ones I've crossed.  Too philosophical this morning.....my dance club music is playing (Paul VanDyke)....time to go workout , then hit the easel :D

"In my Comfort Zone"

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6"x6"  Pastel on board  SOLD

Here's the finished work that I created during our 1st (and maybe  an annual event?) "Alla Prima" Paint Out held yesterday at the FMAAA Gallery in Fort Madison, IA.

We had a good turn out and decent weather for Winter here in Southern Iowa.  The forecast was for 1 to 2" of snow...didn't happen.  

This picture is of our cat Wabbles taking a nap in one of her favorite spots......the back of the couch above Keith's head (my hubby).  She has  3 special places in our house where she lands for her long naps. I like the play of shadows and light in this picture.

Here you can see where my easel set up is at the far right (hadn't started sketching yet)  and close up of my good friend Anita Lee working away.  We wanted to use more of the natural light coming in the large South facing windows, so we're located in the front 3rd of this space.

Here's a closer shot of the other ladies that showed up to paint.  Connie Morris, Carlene Atwater, and Carroll Michalek.   I, unfortunately, didn't take more pictures.  I had a few friends snapping away and as soon as I get ahold of those shots, I'll post them here. Another person joined our small group of painters a little later...Jeanette Corley. 

Overall, we had a productive and fun afternoon.  I have to shout out another THANKS to the FMAAA Director and his staff for hosting both this event and my show. They put together a nice spread of snacks and drinks for the reception.

Artwork will be hanging here until the end of this month.  The gallery is located at 825 Ave. G in Fort Madison's downtown district.  Gallery hours are Tues. thru Sat.-10am to 5pm. 

"Happy" #20 of 30 paintings...(not in 30 days anymore since it's February)

6"x6" Pastel on board

This face just makes a person smile :D   I was looking through my reference files and came across the picture of this guy.  He just looked at me with those big brown eyes and said "Pick me....Paint me!"

I normally would've chosen a different color for the background.  Maybe something darker in value.  It's amazing how our moods and first impressions govern the outcome of our thoughts. (I needed to see something that reminds me of the Sun)  This color really complimented this little guy and I always think of yellows as "energy" and "happiness".  What better color to use behind that smile!

Re-do.....

So, Here is the final painting.  My husband didn't like the writing....I didn't like the end result either.  If I had it over to do, I would've made the sides white (like a photograph edge), add black corners like it was holding the photo in place in an old fashion photo album.  I would've left the writing in but made it smaller.

As it was....it just didn't seem finished to me....either more needed added (which would've made it too busy) or this.....the end result.

After my hubby standing and staring for awhile, he said he wish he was back at that moment in time.  He also stated he wanted an Eagle painted in somewhere above the boat because they were always there fishing when he was.

Okay....now I feel better about this HUGE work and can ignore it .....MOVE ON TO NEXT PROJECT!
Back to working on 6x6 paintings.  Now I'll be using Pastel for the rest of the month.

"Plein Aire Painter"

16"x13" Sketch pencil and Charcoal on Watercolor paper.

So I couldn't help myself to go ahead and do another sketch before going back to my oil painting.  This is a challenge for me to work with charcoal.  AND....especially on the surface of this paper.  When I used to draw, I worked with drafting pencils on bristol paper.  I was so wrapped up in details.

I thought working with the charcoal and slightly rough paper would force me to "sketch" in shapes yet, I still got caught up in wanting to show details.

Personally?......I'd like this picture as a pastel painting.  I've gotta sketch more often.  It really is a different mindset from working on a commissioned painting.

"Breaktime for the Fire Chief" #6 of 30P/30D Challenge

23"x18"  Graphite on Watercolor paper

I decided to do something different today. I guess I felt the need to practice my sketching.
 Digging through my photos, I found this picture I took a few years ago of my neighbor Dean.  He is a Volunteer Fireman in our small community.

The fire station is located across the street from where we live in Pulaski. I had my camera ready on a day   they were doing smoke drills (how to enter a building safely when you can't see, plus more stuff I have no clue about) .  I couldn't pass up this pose of Dean when he decided to take a break.

Now back to my oils!

Eyes done in Pastel

~ Soft Pastel on Belgium Mist Wallis Paper ~

I thought I'd share something I'm currently working on.  The top picture shows where I've started to pay attention to the eyes on this portrait. 

The bottom picture  shows the finished touches of this part of the painting.  I tend to do the eyes early on in a portrait painting.  For me......If I can't get the eyes right, then the rest of the picture doesn't fall into place as it should.  

Something I've been working on......

12"x9" Soft Pastel

I thought it would be nice to share  what I've been working on lately.  Commissions....Yea :D  They support my need for visually creating  & love for buying art supplies. ( When I think "shopping" it's not for clothes...it's brushes, paint, pastels, oh my!   .....oh....can't forget Chocolate :D)

  This is #3 out of 3 in a series of pastel portraits I've been creating for a couple that live in the Central part of Iowa. 

There are still a few small tweaks (strokes - blending) that need to be done to this work before I call it finished.  Overall, I'm pleased with the likeness. 

Gift of Love

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Here's a view of this finished piece at my work station at home.  Reference photos to the left, and pastel sticks to the right.  Ah....Home Sweet Home!

I finished this work close to the end of November. The image is 20x16 ; pastels on Wallis paper mounted on archival foam board.  The father of the bride commissioned the work as a Christmas present for his daughter.  The vows of love were exchanged sometime this past Summer in Des Moines.