New Drawings for Sale

Every few months I look around my studio and realize I have been spending WAY too much time drawing and painting and not nearly enough time selling my work.  The selling part is a necessary part of the art process...how else can I afford to buy guacamole at the taqueria across the street from my studio if I don't sell my work?!?  (The accompanying margarita that makes it's way into the rotation once a week ain't going to pay for itself, either!)

So I am finally finding myself catching up!  I have recently listed a bunch of charcoal drawings in my Etsy shop.  Browse...enjoy...shop...feed my avocado addiction...

View all of my original drawings on sale on Etsy!

Drawings and Paintings from the Live Model

I will say this again, because I believe it to be true, and vital to your success as an artist:  draw and paint from the live model as much as possible.  Yes, you can learn a lot from copying master works and photos as well. But from the live model, you can chose so much more - what to leave in, what to leave out, what to emphasize, what to soften.  As you perfect those skills from the live model, you can take that knowledge to a photograph - because an Artist should not just strive to copy from a photo, but should always be trying to lead the viewer to a new point of understanding.

Male nude, oil painting on oil primed linen, about 90 minutes

Crouching male nude, oil on oil primed canvas, about 90 minutes.  I was trying to avoid creating any hard edges.  This pose was particularly difficult for the model, the balance that was needed, and so I could not lock any element into place - he was always making minor shifts (and I say that with great respect for this model - who can hold almost any pose!   See the next drawing...) But as you draw and paint from the live model, you learn to be flexible, because it WILL change over time - the model breathes, takes breaks, shifts weight - even the lighting may change.  You have to always be open to change.

So...this is our interpretation of the "Flashdance" pose...all we needed to do was splash a bucket of water onto our model as he struggled to breathe for 25 minutes....

I'll post this one just as a teaser - I do have some progress shots and I fixed the dark spot by her chin.  But this was how far I got in about 115 minutes.  Oil painting on oil primed linen

I think this was about 90 minutes.  I loved her earrings, and tried to leave the earring on our right behind - drawing the negative space around it - instead of outlining the shape.  Charcoal.

Charcoal sketch, about 25 minutes.  

Catching up: new drawings and paintings

There are cycles with every activity, hobby, relationship  career, etc.   There are times when you are enthusiastic and believe in what you are doing right down to the very marrow of your bones.  You put every bit of blood sweat and tears into taking it as far as you can.  There are times when you have to let it ride...coast along for a bit...enjoy the cruise control of a happy medium - nothing's going wrong, but nothing major is going to set your heart and soul on fire either.  There are times you also want to give up completely. Call it a day.  There's someone out there doing it faster, better, getting more attention or reward, and you just can't stand not getting the same.

The act of being an Artist goes through all of these cycles.  There are times when I am making strides with my work, breaking new ground and discovering new things about myself in the process.  But there are just as many moments where I want to give up out of pure frustration.  And then when the dust settles, and I reach that next plateau - even if it's not in an entire painting, but just a few moments where I REALLY got it right - then I'm back at that excited part of the cycle where I can't wait to put my whole heart and soul into my next painting.

Luckily, I've been caught up more in the "I can't wait to take this to the next step - the next painting!" cycle more than anything else in the studio.  Which is why (sorry!) I have been neglecting my blog.  I'm PAINTING, ok?!?  A couple recent pieces...

This painting is oil on textured 11" x 14" panel.  It's based on a sculpture.

(Prints are now available)

A thirty minute charcoal sketch from a live model.

A little 9" x 12" oil painting on panel. About an hour and a half from the live model.

Another little study, 8" x 10" (I think!)  About 90 minutes from the live model.

This portrait of a little boy is based on a photo I took outside of my studio during an event.  The panel is 24" 24".

And I did finish one more tree painting that was snapped up right away...not a very good photo, but it was really pretty.  I took the original photo on a very foggy morning.

And I have more, but that's all for now.  And you should see how many I am painting in my head...

Charcoal Sketches from the Live Model

I know I haven't been posting a lot of my art lately.  It's not for a lack of productivity.  I have been drawing and painting quite a bit.  But my mind, when not actually holding a brush, has been elsewhere.  I am very concerned about my son's diet, in fact the diet of my whole family.  I am incredibly depressed to see how much junk food children are allowed to eat in the classroom every day, and what a huge negative impact it can have on them mentally and physically.

SEE?! There I go again!  I'm here to show some drawings and back I go to ranting about the junk food!

So... FOCUS! Here are a couple recent black and white drawings from the live model.

This is the very beginning of the charcoal portrait below.  I find it helpful to block in the largest areas of light and shadow first - getting proportion and a sense of the light source before getting caught up in the tiny details.

I think this was just about an hour of drawing.  I used vine charcoal and then switched to charcoal pencil. 

This drawing is built up mainly from charcoal lines, similar to cross hatching techniques.  This was partly due to the paper.  I think this is a Canson drawing pad, and I find that I can't "smudge" as much as some other drawing papers.  It doesn't erase as cleanly, either, which kind of forces me to get it "right" in fewer strokes.

This figure drawing in charcoal was done in 30 minutes from the live model. I love compact poses like this, especially in short periods of time.  Strong lighting, a good pose, you can get a lot accomplished in a short time period if you look at the big picture - the largest areas of light and shadow first - and then work in to the details. 

Charcoal Drawings of the Male Model

OK I'm going to post and run...just a couple recent drawings from our awesome male model.  Charcoal on white drawing paper.

16" x 20" charcoal drawing on white paper, 25 minutes

Charcoal drawing on 18" x 24" white paper, about 80 minutes

Portrait Classes and Open Studios in Woodstock, GA

I'm excited to announce that I am adding more classes and studio times at my Woodstock Art Studio!

Portrait Drawing and Painting

This will be an on-going class, new artists may join at any time.  The first 4 weeks for each

student will be a series of exercises to study anatomy, learn about proportion, and how to

capture a true likeness.  Students will start with black and white and then progress into color, in your choice of media, including pastel, watercolor, oil or acrylic.

Tuesday Mornings 10:30—1:30.  4 Consecutive Weeks $108

*Classes Start November 7th!*

Open Figure Studio

Every Wednesday evening join a diverse group of Artist as we draw and paint from the live model.  A variety of short and long poses.  Professional models (male and female, nude unless otherwise stated.)  Work in your choice of media (Orange paint thinners only, please)  Some easels are available—portable easels or drawing boards are recommended.

$12 per week or $45 for five consecutive weeks

7:30—10:30 Wednesday Evening

Studio opens at 7:10

4 hours 4 art

Join me in the studio to dedicate 4 hours a week to your Art.  You could bring in a painting you have been trying to finish, resolve a drawing you started from the live model, get a critique on some new work, get help photographing your work, pick my brain on setting up a Blog,

an on-line shop, or Facebook business page, or hire a model and work! 

Dedicate 4 hours a week to building your portfolio, making new connections, finishing new work—being an Artist! 

Every Friday 10:30—2:30.  $20/Week

*Additional sessions will be added!

I have really missed teaching regular classes.  Portrait and figurative work is my specialty, but I am willing to critique or help you with any other paintings or projects during 4 Hours 4 Art.   4 Hours 4 Art is not just the name of the open studio time...it's a promise to yourself to dedicate 4 hours a week to becoming a better Artist.  As the sessions grow, I hope to establish a group of artists who support and encourage each other to create, try new things, enter shows, share their work, share a model, whatever!  

View my entire Event and Studio Schedule.

Contact Me if you would like to sign up!

Artists Helping Artists Radio Show - Listen for my Advice on Selling Art on Etsy

I was invited to be one of the Artists on a radio program called "Artists Helping Artists".  Along with two other Professional Artists, we will be giving tips and helpful hints on sucessfully selling Art On-Line.  The program will cover two major venues - Ebay and Etsy, discussing the pros and cons of both sites, helpful pointers on getting started on the right foot, and how to build your business thru networking, blogging, and utilizing the best of what each site has to offer.

(And don't worry...I have promised not to sing OR swear OR talk over any other guest OR use sarcasm. I know what you're thinking...so, I'll be muted the whole time?!?)

The program will air on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artistshelpingartists Thursday February 24th at Noon EST.   Have questions? A success story?  Want to request a song? (think long and hard about that...I paint, but I can't sing!) Call in at (646) 915-9243.  Miss the show?  Listen anytime on demand.

And while I'm here...just finished this new drawing on modeling paste!  This might be my favorite in the series so far.

What's happening in the studio...

Wow I feel like I've been going a million miles a minute lately!  Even now I am rushing...but I want to share a few things that I either recently finished or are in progress, so you know I'm REALLY busy...not just ignoring my poor blog :)

I have two big announcements to share in the near future, so please...stay tuned!

And if you have bee WAITING for some mini, affordable art...check out my art magnets in my Etsy shop!

Imagination or interpretation? Where does your Art come from...

I am wondering if most artists can fall into one of two categories - Imaginative or Interpretive.  A loose definition...Imaginative Artists build their work from within, based on passed experiences, images in their mind, colors and textures that flow naturally.  Interpretive Artists need a reference source - a live model, a photograph, a landscape, a still life.  The artist can Interpret the inspiration any way they want, but it still has to be physically in front of them.

I am debating about this because I definitely fall into the second category.  I have tried to create work based on books, dreams, ideas...but they never seem to become fully fleshed out a realized.  I always admire art created by those who can just let it flow from their imagination to their fingertips, it comes out right from their subconscious onto the page, and is as real as anything else.  If you put me in front of a model, a photograph, a still life, I can turn it into anything I want, in many different ways - realistic, abstract, painterly, whatever!  But I can not just "come up with" an image.

What kind of artist are you? Imaginative or Interpretive?  Do you think most Artists fall into one category or another?

Just finished...from a photo I took of the live model..."The Center Ring", charcoal on textured panel

New Figure in Black and White - Dramatic Charcoal

This is the latest in my series of charcoal drawings on gesso/modeling paste.  I love this pose - it's the first one that's not only embracing a dramatic shadow, but pushes the depth from the tip of his head to the back of his foot.

You can see more from this series in my album on Flickr.

Bald is beautiful - new drawings of the male model

I can't say it enough - I get to work with so many amazing models in my figure drawing groups!  Last Wednesday our model was kind enough to pose for a few reference photos.  My desire is to create a large series of the black and white charcoal drawings on the textured surfaces.

With his shaved head and broad shoulders, I had a feeling this pose would be perfect for him, and so far it's looking great!    His head and hand are coming forward, the right shoulder is dropped and twisted towards his knee, there is a lot of tension where his hand is gripping the stand.  This particular surface is pretty gouged and not as smooth as some of the previous pieces, and I decided not to sand it any further because I liked that grittiness and imperfection.

He also had some great poses during our group, one of which he used a rope to pull and create tension along his back.

The second, longer pose, had a dramatic overhead light that, again, really benefited from his shaved head and well defined shoulders.

Both of these were drawn with charcoal and watercolor pencils on watercolor paper primed with gesso.

Drawing Video - the progression of the couple drawing

I love putting these videos together of my drawings as the progress.  They are not professional by any means, but it is a lot of fun to watch how the drawing came together.  I think my favorite so far is the pastel portrait of the Olive Scarf - the way the colors change as I draw.  But this drawing of the couple is interesting, too, because you can see how the drawing had several shifts - the background is dark and then light, the shape of his head changes, the size of her foot is adjusted...all the elements are worked and re-worked to bring it to life!

Enjoy!  Drawing the Couple in Charcoal

After a morning in the studio...

....here is an update on the drawing of the nude couple.  Looking very sculptural...there are a few issues with scale....still bringing in the darker values...but it's coming along!

I've ignored my family. And liked it.

Did you ever have one of those pieces that just DEMANDED your attention...a painting or drawing that haunted you at night, causing restlessness and the inability to fall asleep, a piece that just says "PAY ATTENTION TO ME!"  Well I have one of those pieces right now, and my family had to pay the price.  I ignored them all day just so I could do what needed to be done! (of course...if you ask them...they may have enjoyed my absence...but let's not go there!)

So here is what I'm working on! A new 30" x 30" drawing from the evening that we had the couple model for our group.  (his head looks really blurry right now!)

  Because of the complexity of the pose, I used a grid to transfer the photo to the board.

Then I used some vine charcoal to establish an over-all sense of light and shadow.  Trying very hard to think of the WHOLE drawing...not just the little moments that I wanted to dive into.

 After using the vine charcoal, I switched to a hard charcoal pencil to start really defining the shapes. 

I still have a long way to go, but I am so excited about this piece I couldn't wait to show you! It's probably the most beautiful pose I have ever seen...I kind of have to shake my head in des-belief that I actually get to work with these incredible models. 

Oh...and the family's ok.  I think I'll ignore them more often.

New figure drawings - the standing pose

Forgive the quickness of this post!  You know I'm only an artist when I don't have mom duty...and pretty soon I have to fetch the little one from school :)

So real quick!  Charcoal drawing on white paper, I think it's 12" 16", 30 minute pose.  Lovely lighting and beautiful model.

And the longer pose of the evening - about an hour and a half of drawing.  The challenge was to take a simple pose, the frontal, standing pose, and make it interesting.  There was a cool spotlight overhead and a warm spotlighting to her left, so I pushed those two temperatures and had fun with color.  Nupastel on Wallis paper.

And a detail of the face and torso...I blocked in the large shapes on the face and then tried to leave it alone...I was about 20 feet away from the model, so details would have been difficult at best.

I loved the pink fan that our model brought as a prop.  It created a lovely glow on her torso!

Face masks and Sandpaper. Tools of the trade!

I'm almost finished with the drawing of the female nude in shadow (I have yet to give her a more profound name!  Suggestions are welcome!).

Today I finished the over-all shadows, and was ready to move into darker darks.  This is the drawing after only drawing with a hard charcoal pencil...

Shadows are all pretty even, there is a nice value range, but I can go even deeper and darker by using a soft charcoal pencil that creates a richer black.

 Detail of the hand area of the drawing...before

and after

The texture you see on the legs comes from the (intentional) rough application of modeling paste on the surface.

And while working on the shadows, I also worked on the light.  For this technique, I used a soft kneaded eraser in the shadows to model the figure, but for the strongest hi lights I used sandpaper to remove charcoal and reveal the clean layers of modeling paste and gesso underneath.

And this gets rather dusty, which I am sure is not good for my lungs, so I was looking ever so stylish in my face mask!

(Can you see the thrill in my eyes?)

I did have to laugh at myself many many times.  I kept trying to blow the dust off the piece as I was sanding.  With the face mask still on.