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.

New Watercolor Figure Paintings

My favorite night of the week is Wednesday, when I get to draw and paint from the live model.  But really, it has become much more than just a night to draw.  The artists who participate in these weekly sessions are truly kind and generous people, who form a diverse group of artists of a variety of skill levels and styles.  And among all of this, there is no competition, pressure, or inclination to be anything but Who You Are.  It thrills me to see such a broad range of interpretation when it comes to drawing the live model - precise and tight, loose and quick, abstract and gutsy.  And it's not just me who thinks this.  So many of the wonderful models that work with us remark about how enjoyable it is to work with our group - the camaraderie is palpable, but they are also there to work, which makes it so successful.  It's not just a drawing group anymore - it's a circle of friends.

But I have been really slacking with showing you my weekly drawings!  So in an attempt to get back on track, a few of my sketches from this past Wednesday...

A 25 minute watercolor on Wallis paper (using watercolor pencil and softening the lines with a damp brush)

We have worked with this lovely model several times in the past but this was our first time where she had this adorable pixie haircut.  I am now wondering if I should chop my hair - she looked so cute!

Also on Wallis paper, I started with a watercolor wash then added layers of pastel on top.  

I didn't want to over-work the pastel, so for the last 20 minutes of the pose I worked on another watercolor on Wallis, using a red watercolor pencil and a damp brush to soften the lines.   It's tricky to know what to define and what to leave loose - I added and subtracted information from her face several times.

Pastel Figure Drawings Everywhere!

There are times in life where I don't get into my studio as often as I would like.  This is unavoidable, and sometimes, for a brief time, even a welcome time to step back and think about where I want to go next with my work.  But I am grateful for our figure drawing group that meets every week, so that these stretches away from my easel are not absolute.  It is so important to stay connected with that part of myself - the artist.  I love being a mom, relish my marriage, and delight in spending time with friends.  But I have come to realize, and accept, that I actually get depressed when I am away from my studio for too long, and therefor everything else tends to suffer.  So...as I embrace being 35, and really accepting who I am, I will be more determined to keep the balance between my work and my family.

This week the kids were both in school all day, and I got a much needed "fix" of painting and drawing!  I put some finishing touches on a lounging nude from a few weeks ago...(nupastel on colourfix, 20" x 27")

I was so happy with the way this profile drawing from the live model turned out that I didn't even touch it after our 90 minute drawing session (nupastel on colourfix paper, 13" x 20")

I also bought a pack of Sennelier Pastel Card that I have been having fun with.  I think the size is 9" x 12".  Love this bluish-green (that's an artistic name for this color) paper with the magenta in her skin tones.  Quick - about 15 minutes I think.

I just framed a couple of these new pieces for the last open house at the studio (mixed in with some other favorites!)  Can you tell I love that dark red color family?

Last night we had another wonderful model, and I tried to keep my work loose and fun (I am working on several portrait commissions right now, so I enjoy letting myself just play a little bit during figure drawing.  And often, I find that these little sketches come out quite nice!)  Horrible photo, but I promise to add some better shots later...

The top two are pastel on sennelier pastel card, the bottom two are watercolor on 200 lb paper.  

I also have a lot of portrait work in the middle of creation right now - I can't wait to share it with you!  That will happen after the clients get to see them....I promise!

I hope you are finding time to create :) 

A Home Portrait and A Special Mother's Day Gift...

A couple more portraits found their way home in the last few of weeks!  For Mother's day, this beautiful watercolor portrait of a mother and newborn baby...

I also shipped out this multi-media portrait of a house, painted on panel.  The request was for lots of color - and an understanding that I am not very good at drawing straight lines :)

This was one of my favorite spots on the painting!

I don't often accept commission work for house/architectural portraits, but I really enjoyed this one!  

And of course our figure drawing group is still active, enjoying our Wednesday evenings with wonderful live models.  Last week I created this nupastel drawing of the male model on grey pastel board

I have had requests to show more progress shots, so hang tight...I will do a post on the progress of my pastel figures - soon!

Figure Drawings in Pastel and Charcoal

We've had a spectacular line up of models in the studio the last few weeks, and I am just now getting around to photographing and sharing some of the drawings.

A couple of new pastels on colourfix paper...

This pose was about an hour and a half...with lots of breaks so the model could regain feeling in her arms.

A 45 minute pose with no breaks, a beautiful arch to her back, and I love the foot tucked into the fold of her knee.

Vine and compressed charcoal, about 20 minutes.  I didn't want to over-work this loose drawing, so I did a second one from a different view.

And a 20 minute charcoal from the male model - great twist in his back!

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!

Sell, Create, Grow, Sell, Create, Grow...

I'm in a place right now that is often elusive to artists...Art is Selling and new ideas are coming to fruition.  To have some of my favorite pieces heading off to new homes is, as always, bitter sweet.

This beautiful and sensuous nude in Crimson is making a trip across the country.  She was part of a National Juried Competition last year, but has been hiding in my closet ever since.  Now, she will be gracing a wall, where she deserves to be. (Prints are available)

I had received an e-mail about this drawing of the ballerina in the striped stockings before I had even finished the piece.  I had turned down the sale, knowing that I wanted to continue the series, and felt like I needed to "live with" the pastel for a little while.  But as I started preparing for the next drawing/paintings in the series, I faced the usual dilemmas...the need to buy supplies and the need for space!  So...I e-mailed the collector and she bought it almost immediately.  (Prints are available!)

And, the second drawing of the ballerina is heading for a long journey as well.  It sold within 5 hours of listing it in my on line shop.  Almost a little too quickly for me!  I'm finding it difficult to say good-bye...

(Prints are also available)

I saw a quote from another Etsy Artist, Panchromatica, that sums up what I am feeling, and asked his permission to share it here...

"Unless you are content to let your work pile up at the back of your studio or in the attic, you need to sell your work. That puts you in business and the ultimate purpose of any business is selling a service or a product to someone willing to buy it at a price that makes you both happy.

Being in business as an artist is of course different to a degree. Selling art and selling cars may share some characteristics but they aren’t identical. When you sell a painting or a print, you are partly selling something of yourself. Paradoxically though, you don’t lose anything when you sell. Each painting, each print you make takes you one step further towards being a better artist. So, in a strange way, selling your work, by giving you the capacity to make more, can be an integral part of your development as an artist – and let’s be honest - who doesn’t get a buzz when somebody likes your work enough to pay over cold hard cash for it?"

For more from this artist, please check out his blog.  This quote is from a future e-book on Business Planning for the Working Artist.

So, I'm saying good bye to some pieces that I am very proud of, but my sorrow, thankfully, will be replaced by new energy and the need to continue creating.  This morning I met with a beautiful young dancer who continued the theme of Classic meets Quirky, like the ballerina above.  Here is a teaser from our photo session, and I look forward to sharing new work with you very soon!

Black Bustier, Ballet Dancer, and Busted by the Cops

I feel like I have a million things to share with and show you!  I'll start with some progress on a couple of pastel figure drawings...

First, the portrait of one of my Zumba instructors.   I loved this outfit - the combination of the leather bustier and hat, with the filmy black mini skit/tutu, the striped socks (it was Christmas!) and the high boots.  The boots are, actually, giving me the most trouble right now.  I can't seem to get the shape right.  I'm also struggling with her lip - there's such a small amount showing, so if it's not exactly right, she seems like she's scowling, and she's actually smiling.

I also worked for a while on the new ballerina with striped tights sitting in the window.  I spent a lot of time adjusting the position of her head - she was, at first - staring directly out the window, and it felt a little stiff and unnatural.  So I tilted her head down a little, using one of the reference photos from our drawing session.  Now that it's in a better pose,  I'm trying to build up the colors!

Working on these latest figures, incorporating more pattern and fabric than I normally do, made me realize something today - I've had these photos in my inspiration pile for quite a while.  I guess I've been drawn to stripes for a while, and now I'm finally getting a chance to play with the theme!

And I drew this beautiful figure Wednesday night at our drawing group.  She brought along these gorgeous fuscia and turquoise fabrics, and the created a beautiful reflection on her skin.  We had one artist painting and one artist sculpting, so we set up one long pose in order to get as much work done as possible after a short warm-up.  

So, while we're in the middle of drawing, I hear the studio door open and somebody walking in.  Now, we are on the second floor of a very quiet building, so we don't get very many non-artist visitors.  Imagine my surprise when I saw a cop standing in the middle of the room!  So I walk over and introduce myself and ask if there's anything I can do for him (while our lovely model sat in the middle of the pose in the middle of the room!) He said he was just checking things out, since he had seen the lights on.  Anyway after chatting for a few minutes, he left.  We're betting now that the Wednesday night Main Street shift will be covered by a new cop every week...

New Pastel Drawings, Portraits and Commission work from the studio!

Has this been the busiest December...ever?!?!  I can't believe 2011 is only a few days away!

I've been trying to finish up a few projects the last couple of days, in between playing with my daughter's new Barbies from Santa and the new Crayola Crayon Making machine - which is like the coolest toy ever!

First of all I was thrilled to hear from one of my clients on Christmas day, after she and her family opened up a painting she commissioned of her son.  It's been 13 years in the making (although only 2 months on my end!) - ever since she had her other son's portrait painted by another artist.   It was a challenging and rewarding experience because I was emulating the style of the other portrait, while still keeping my own personality in the custom portrait.

I'm also trying to finish up a few pastels that I started from the live model in the last couple of months.  I just worked on this pastel figure drawing, which has that gorgeous lime drapery that compliments her black hair so perfectly.

And I am also putting the final touches on this custom pastel of a lounging figure with a white robe.  It should be ready to go to it's new home in the next few days.

I finished this drawing of the ballet dancer with striped socks last week, and have been tweaking and perfecting large and small prints, which are now available in my Etsy shop!

Believe it or not...this is just the very top of a long list of drawings and paintings and ideas that I have yet to develop.  Like many artists/moms, there's never enough un-interrupted hours in the studio!    I look forward to sharing new pieces with you in the near future.

Female Figure with Drapery and Stockings - the final touches in pastel

I finished working on this beautiful figure with a white silk robe and striped thigh high stockings.  The brick red colourfix paper gives the whole drawing a sense of warmth.  I love the way turquoise blue pastel pencil reacts against the color of the red paper...causing a little vibration on the surface.  That effect, combined with the pattern in her stockings and the folds of the robe, create a truly dynamic composition.

I'm working on producing prints of these latest pastels.  Keep an eye on my Etsy shop where they will be available soon.

Time in the studio: a precious commodity!

Did you ever have one of those weeks where it seems EVERYTHING is plotting against you?  I have so many drawings and paintings and commissions and projects I want to work on in the studio!  The longer the list, the more of life's interruptions seem to get in the way.

But this morning I made the most of the 140 minutes I had between dropping my daughter off and picking her up!  I was working on a special request - a female figure, back view, a little drapery, soft palette...

It's coming along nicely!  Destined for a bathroom wall.  The pose was even based on how you enter the room, and what direction the client wanted the model to face.  (And I am so lucky to work with amazing models who allow me pose them!)

And this drawing of the model wearing the tutu with striped socks I started last week has been SCREAMING for my attention!  I had to work on it for a little while.  Other than finishing her hand and maybe paying a little attention to the background, I think she's done.  A fellow artist looked at it on the night I started and said "oh...you are never going to want to sell that!" and at first I thought "Sure I will!"  But now...I may have to live with it for a while :) I love it!

Classic and Quirky, the Ballerina with Striped Socks

A couple of months ago I got this gorgeous ballet costume from my daughter's dance studio.  It is a velvet top with the sweetheart neckline in a warm gold and mossy green color, with a short tutu in layers of green, golds, and cranberry.  I was hoping it would fit one of my favorite models. 

So I brought it with me last night to our figure drawing group and asked our beautiful model if she would be willing to do the gesture poses in the outfit, a little fearful that it wouldn't fit, but also wondering if it might be too dull or "classic", not making for a very exciting drawing.

Well as luck would have it...she steps out of the restroom and the tutu fits her perfectly.  And the best part was that she had on these above the knee black and white striped socks that added just the right level of fun to the outfit.

Her hair up in a bun, she started with some beautiful gesture poses.

I liked quickly massing in the shape of the tutu and striping her socks.

A longer pose, about 40 minutes, with dramatic lighting, making full use of her long legs and gorgeous neckline.

I may fix a few moments, but I really like this as it is - the billowing layers of her skirt, the dramatic shadows across her collarbone, the outstretched leg.

For our final pose, she kept the stockings but switched to a light white robe.  The pattern on the socks again elevated a simple and elegant pose to something more.

Nupastel on colourfix paper.

Lime and Wine. Who knew it was such a magical combination?

Yes, wine is frequently a large contributor to our figure drawing sessions.  However, this time I am referring to the color of the paper I was working on, and the super 70's shag carpet lime green chenille blanket our model brought with her!  The color combination was awesome!

This was our long drawing, about an hour and 20 minutes of work time.  There is also a bit of white drapery under the small of her back. 

A shorter drawing, about half an hour on a grey piece of colourfix paper.  I think her raven black hair and the lime green blanket are also setting each other off perfectly.