Pastel Drawings of the Female Nude

I bought a pad of the Sennelier Pastel La Carte paper, 9" x 12", and it's just the right size for quick colorful studies of the female model.  Three from our model a couple weeks ago...

Pastel Figure Drawing

Abstract Pastel Drawing

Nupastel Figure on Sennelier Paper

I abstracted the figure slightly, emphasizing the light and shadow through bold strokes of color.

And last Wednesday we had another wonderful pose that I wanted to capture quickly from both front and back.

Sassy Pastel Figure on Black

Hot Pink Nude on Mint

The paper I chose in this case dictated what direction I took the drawing - the dramatic black inspired me to grab bold neon colors that added energy and dynamism to the pose.  The soft mint compelled me to take a more feminine and delicate approach that emphasized her beautiful, subtle curves.

Citrus Colored Nudes. New Watercolor Paintings

The past few weeks I have had the privilege of working with some of my favorite models.  I've also had several requests for more paintings in the citrus colored palette that I explored early last year.  So...I have some new lovely ladies to share!

These were both created from the live model.  I used orange, lemon, fuchsia and red watercolors on 12" x 18" Archival Wallis Paper.  The paper is actually designed for pastel, but I love using it for light watercolor washes.

You can view these paintings in my Etsy shop here

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81600554/reclining-female-nude-in-citrus-colors

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81600138/original-watercolor-painting-of?ref=v1_other_2

I also did three more vertical pieces, base on some photos of another model from the previous week.

New Pastel Figure Drawing...

Just taking a quick moment to share our long drawing from last night's drawing group!  One of my favorite models, a lovely pose and subtle lighting.  This is Nupastel on cranberry colourfix paper, 13" x 19".  I started with dark blue and dark red, slowly adding the lighter skin tones.

I made sure to develop the drapery at the same time as the figure.  Because the drapery was light silver, I had to make sure the light value of the drapery was correct compared to the light values in her skin.  Also, being silver and a little shiny, it had a reflective quality.  So, as I found the colors in her skin tones, I had to pick them up in the drapery as well.

If you are interested in joining us in Woodstock, GA for figure drawing, please check the Studio Schedule.

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

Drawings and Paintings from the live model. Two weeks to catch up on!

Where does the time go?  How did I get so far behind...

Last Wednesday we had a fantastic male model for our evening group.  After a round of gestures that left all of us exhausted from trying to draw as fast as we could, catching every twist and turn and muscle and shadow, we slowed down with a 20 minute drawing.  These are all charcoal on white 14" x 17" paper.

We then moved on to a tricky pose where our model was lying on his back, but his torso was lifted and twisted, as he reached above his head with one arm and held on the his ankle with the other.  It looked awesome, and there were some amazing shadows, but once we realized he was losing all feeling in his shoulder we moved onto another pose!

We ended the evening with a classic standing pose, amazing lighting, a great time to just slow down and capture all of the subtleties of light and shadow.

This week we had a lovely female model who also warmed up everyone with a series of two minute gestures, then we worked on a 15 minute pose.  This is nupastel on brick red colourfix paper.

We ended with a 2 hours pose with lots of drapery and a warm spotlight.  This is a 9" x 12" panel, acrylic paint.  I totally neglected her front leg, so that's first on my list to resolve.

After class the model and I worked together for a few minutes, playing an adult version of "dress up" with an awesome red tulle crinoline I found at the antique store and a sassy black and white striped vest I found at a consignment shop.  Along with the picture I took of the ballerina last week, I have about 13 new drawings in my head...I can't wait to get started!  A preview of the outfit...