Jean's Paintings

Woman In Charcoal

2011-12-26T13:03:00.000-06:00

Drawn from life.

Charcoal and pastel on paper, approximately 22"x30".

Floating Woman

2011-06-11T11:07:00.000-05:00

Drawn two weeks ago, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on 12"x16" pastel paper.

Woman Dreaming

2011-05-04T14:13:00.000-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Tombow marker on approximately 15"x19" watercolor paper.

Woman In Blue

2011-04-19T18:28:00.000-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Woman In Blue is Tombow marker and ink, on four sheets of 11"x14" Bristol paper, about 22"x28" total.

Head In Orange And Purple; Woman Reading At Mozart's

2011-04-13T16:35:00.000-05:00

From life.

Head In Orange And Purple was drawn this morning, indoors. Water-soluble marker and ink on 11"x14" Bristol paper.

Woman Reading At Mozart's was painted Monday morning, outdoors by the water at Mozart's, a local coffee place. Oil on 20"x24" canvas.

Woman In Blue; Head Of Woman In Blue

2011-04-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

These are Tombow marker on paper, the first approximately 15"x22" and the second about 15" square.

Head In Purple And Gold; Head In Orange

2011-03-31T11:47:00.000-05:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

Tombo marker and ink on 11"x14" Bristol paper.

Gold/Lavender 1

2011-03-24T10:47:00.000-05:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

Tombow markers and ink on sheets of 11"x14" Bristol paper, pieced together to 22"x25" total.

Dreaming In Black And White; Standing Figure In Orange And Blue; Reclining Figure

2011-03-22T14:44:00.001-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Dreaming In Black And White is ink on three pieces of 9"x12" drawing paper, laid end to end. (About 28"x9".)

Standing Figure In Orange And Blue is ink and Tombow marker on drawing paper, about 7"x11".

Reclining Figure is ink and Tombow marker on drawing paper, about 8"x12".

Lavender/Blue 1

2011-03-18T17:47:00.000-05:00

Painted this afternoon, from life.

Oil pastel over oil paint, 16"x20" canvas.

Echo In The Sun

2011-03-18T11:47:00.003-05:00

Drawn Tuesday, from life.

Tombo markers on Yupo, about 10" square.

Godiva Reclining

2011-03-16T13:08:00.001-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

The model for this drawing has extremely long hair, which she has never cut.

Lavender/Orange 1

2011-03-15T16:25:00.000-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Tombo markers on Yupo.

Reclining Woman

2011-03-11T10:09:00.000-06:00

Drawn Wednesday morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

This is the second pose from Wednesday morning. I like the attitude of thought in this pose.

Seated Woman In Primary Colors

2011-03-09T14:17:00.000-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Ink and water soluble markers on Yupo, about 13"x20".

The model this morning came in on crutches. She has badly sprained her right ankle and isn't able to drive--very important in this car-and-bicycle-reliant city.

Luckily, she was able to get a ride to the studio.

This was the first of a couple of one-hour poses.

Seated Woman; Reclining Woman

2011-03-03T13:31:00.000-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Ink markers on watercolor paper, about 8"x 11"

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Woman Reading

2011-02-25T12:32:00.002-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Watercolor on watercolor paper, about 8"x12".

This sketch is an experiment with Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor Sticks.

I ordered three (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre and burnt sienna) to try and they arrived yesterday.

I haven't used these enough to judge them, but my first impression is that, combined with water and brush, they are fun to draw with and act like watercolor. When used without the water, the effect is more like bad crayon. Here's a link to a review of the sticks by Robert Sloan, an oil pastel artist.

Seated Figure In Violet

2011-02-18T10:35:00.000-06:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on approximately 9"x12" pastel card.

Woman In Blue; Woman In Stripes; Reclining Woman

2011-02-16T13:06:00.000-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Woman In Blue is Tombow maker, ink and pastel on approximately 18" square Rives paper.

Woman In Stripes and Reclining Woman are pastel and charcoal on 12"x16" pastel paper.

Standing Figure In Yellow; Standing Figures

2011-02-15T15:27:00.006-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

The standing gesture poses are pastel on 12"x16" pastel paper.

I was using some very old, very soft pastels that had apparently been through too many extreme temperature changes: They crumpled to nothing but powder as I tried to use them. It was frustrating.

Figure In Orange; Profile In Orange; Profile In Purple

2011-02-08T13:35:00.001-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Tombow marker and ink on 11"x14" Bristol paper.

Sad Woman With Red Hair; Woman With Red Hair, Reading

2011-02-03T13:49:00.000-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on 12"x16" pastel paper.

It's very cold today; in the 20s (F). So cold that the model wore clothes and a coat to pose (normally, she'd be naked)--and the few artists who showed up wore coats to draw.

Woman Waiting On A Sunny Morning

2011-01-31T13:05:00.001-06:00

Painted this morning, from life.

Oil on 30"x40" canvas.

The figure in the foreground is the figure I painted today. I painted her on top of an old painting (actually one of my first tries at oil painting on a large scale), probably painted three or four years ago.

Today is unseasonably warm, expected to be in the 70s (F). We were able to have windows open while we painted.

Man In Pink And Green

2011-01-29T14:20:00.001-06:00

Drawn Thursday morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on approximately 10"x16" pastel paper.

Another drawing with my non-dominant hand. This time, I remembered to angle the easel appropriately.

After this drawing, another artist and I played a game. We each started drawing, switched drawings and easels after 10 minutes, and continued switching until one of us declared a drawing done. Interesting exercise in working with another person's starting vision and materials The final drawings, which I will not post, are amalgams of style and vision.

To clarify, this posted drawing is not one of the two-artist drawings. Those ended up looking like a tug of war was fought over them, with line over line, concept over concept, color over color. Kind of a mess.

This drawing had one artist, me.

Sketches Of Woman In Marker And Ink; Seated Woman With Feathered Back; Reclining Woman With Feathered Back

2011-01-26T14:05:00.008-06:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

The first is Tombow marker and ink on Yupo paper, about !8"x24".

The remaining two are Tombow marker and ink on 9"x12" drawing paper.

The model has an amazing, elaborate and beautiful tattoo of feathers on her back and upper arms. It was added to her body over the course of a summer.

I did all the one minute poses (the drawings in the background of the top drawing) with my left hand, and I also did large portions of the remaining drawings with my left hand (sometimes I'd forget, when coming back to a longer pose). The longer poses this day were from 15 minutes to 30 minutes long.

Using my left hand for drawing is not what I normally do. So I am much slower with that hand. But the most awkward part was that I am so used to setting things up for right-handed drawing that I placed my easel in a very unnatural position for left-handed drawing.

It's fun to switch to the non-dominant hand, and I find it also helps to diminish bad habits: seems like a fresher take on the subject matter.

Why draw with the non-dominant hand?

Well, it is a standard drawing exercise. The idea is that it frees one up to use the "right brain" to draw with. I don't know how valid this concept is, but it is a popular notion.

A practical reason, that PA is now bumping up against, is that sometimes you need to. Hands wear out or get injured.

Exercising that spare hand and arm and training and strengthening them, just gives the artist an extra drawing arm: a good thing.

Profile In Morning Light; Crying Woman

2011-01-24T13:36:00.001-06:00

Painted this morning, from life.

Profile In Morning Light is oil on 14"x18" board.

Crying Woman is oil and oil pastel on 12"x12" canvas.

I was a bit late to the morning painting session. So I ended up with a very striking profile view of the model.

Her face was lit from the front and she was seated against a window, so most of the light was behind her or just hitting her face, from my viewpoint.

I seem to have developed a pattern of painting a more realistic-looking painting first and then, when I'm comfortable with the subject, painting a looser, faster piece.

Next time, maybe I'll bring more than two surfaces on which to paint and see what happens, then.

Hand In Red And Blue; Head In Blue

2011-01-20T15:57:00.001-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

The hand is Tombow marker, with water and brush, on 9"x12" drawing paper.

The head is Tombow marker and ink, with water and brush, on 9"x12" sanded pastel paper.

This model has amazing hair, which she never cuts.

Liz, this drawing is for you.

Reclining Woman Holding Leg; Seated Woman Holding Leg; Woman Turning Away

2011-01-19T07:53:00.002-06:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

These are pastel and charcoal on 9"x12" sanded paper

My left leg has been hurting, and yesterday, it was hurting a lot. Today, it feels like it's healing. The top drawing encapsulates how I felt yesterday morning.

Also, I was heavily influenced by the art nouveau posters I've been looking at lately in connection with Loie Fuller.

Woman With Cowlick Holding Rose; Woman Holding Rose 2

2011-01-17T13:07:00.002-06:00

Painted this morning, from life.

The top painting is oil on 16"x20" canvas.

The bottom painting is oil and oil pastel on 12"x16" canvas.

It was overcast this morning when I started the top painting. Just about an hour later, the sun had come out, just in time for the bottom painting.

Both of these started with underpaintings. The top painting had some light blue and some yellow and burnt sienna acrylic paints rubbed on the canvas first.

The bottom painting has a canvas that was started in oil pastels a couple of months ago at Rutamaya, so the background that shows represents the walls there, with some oil paint added on top.

What I had on my palette for the top painting was titanium white, ivory black, cadmium yellow light, cadmium red light, and alizarin crimson. Basically, a version of the limited Zorn palette, which I've been using lately for my paintings.

For the bottom painting, I added a little ultramarine blue to the palette.

The model was actually wearing a simple black knit hooded pull-over.

A Quick Visit To MOMA And The Exhibit "On Line : Drawing Through The Twentieth Century," featuring Loie Fuller's Dance Serpentine

2011-01-17T09:28:00.009-06:00

I took a quick trip to NYC this past week and spent a couple of mornings at MOMA.

What drew me to MOMA (as opposed to any of the other places in New York) was the "On Line" exhibit, currently showing into February. This exhibit promises a look at one hundred years of drawing, 1910 to 2010, examining how artists over that time expanded the concept of drawing.

The exhibit is lively and kind of fun, with sculptures and film, as well as works on paper and other supports. Mostly, though, it felt like jokes about line, one-liners, puns, cleverness about line.

One of the things I like best about it is a short film, silent and in color, dating from 1897-99. Called Dance Serpentine II, it features a dancer wearing silk robes containing bamboo rods, moving the robes and herself through space, as lights change the color of the robe. The overall feeling, as Paula describes it, is "Kabuki like." Here's a link to a film of Dance Serpentine, a version with Loie Fuller (the dancer and choreographer) performing, dating from 1896.

The video I've linked to of Dance Serpentine is still inspiring, over one hundred years later. It's under a minute long, and well worth viewing. I am amazed by the early use of color film, something I did not know existed then. And I like the cleverness of the dance.

Loie Fuller was part dance innovator, part applied scientist (she pioneered in lighting). She inspired many artists in her career and she lives on in their works and in her own, with choreography that is still influencing modern dance.

The photographs I've posted were taken by me with my husband's i-phone. The first is a view into the courtyard, the day after last week's snowfall.

The second is of visitors to the permanent collection. The paintings are by Modigliani.

Young Woman Looking Down

2011-01-11T08:48:00.001-06:00

Painted yesterday morning, from life.

Oil on 24"x36" canvas.

Despite it being so large, this is a quick--under two hours posing/painting time--sketch.

Woman Looking Up

2011-01-10T17:47:00.002-06:00

Woman looking Up, drawn yesterday afternoon, from life.

Ink on 9"x12" Bristol.

Woman With Red Stripes

2011-01-07T15:58:00.001-06:00

Painted this afternoon, from life.

Oil on 14"x18" canvas.

I don't know if I'm done with this, or not. I need to give it some time, and then look at it again.

Seated Woman In Green; Green Head; Seated Woman (Ink); Head (Ink)

2011-01-05T14:28:00.005-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

The first two are pastel and charcoal on approximately 9"x12" pastel card.

The last two are ink on about 9"x1O" Bristol and 9"x12" Bristol, respectively..

Reclining Woman In Grey; Head of Reclining Woman; Woman In Leaf; Seated Figure

2011-01-05T08:37:00.001-06:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

Reclining Woman In Grey and Woman In Leaf are pastel and charcoal on pastel card, approximately 9"x12".

Head of Reclining Woman is ink on 9"x12" Bristol.

Seated Figure is Tombow marker and ink, with water and brush, on approximately 9" square Bristol.

Yesterday was grey and drizzly all day, and these drawings show that influence.

Woman Falling Asleep While Reading; Woman Sleeping Sitting Up

2011-01-03T13:42:00.001-06:00

Painted this morning, from life.

Woman Falling Asleep While Reading is oil on masonite board.

Woman Sleeping Sitting Up is oil on canvas.

The model this morning posed reading a book. It was warm inside and the book got dull, so she kept drifting asleep.

Ballerina; Reclining Woman In Orange; Ballerina Figure; Ballerina Hand; Ballerina Head; Ballerina Head In Purple

2011-01-03T09:06:00.001-06:00

Drawn from life, yesterday afternoon.

The first two are pastel and charcoal on sanded card.

The rest are Tombow marker and ink, with water and brush, on Bristol.

George Bernard Shaw and Helmut Gernsheim: Notes On The Gernsheim Collection At The Harry Ransom Center

2010-12-31T08:54:00.013-06:00

George Bernard Shaw, famous playwright, was born in 1856 and died in November 1950. Throughout his life, he took photographs to record events and to express himself artistically. He said:

"If Velasquez were born today, he would be a photographer and not a painter."

In 1949, Helmut Gernsheim, engaged in producing a history of photography, submitted a series of questions to Shaw.

The typed questions and Shaw's handwritten answers are on display at the Ransom Center, along with a 1950 letter from Gernsheim, with handwritten reply by Shaw.

In his answers, Shaw writes that he is still actively taking photographs, something he has been doing for most of his life. He lists the different cameras he has used over the years. The beauty, strength and wit of the replies, written so near Shaw's death, are striking.

In the letter shown here (photographed with i-phone by Matt Spitzer), Gernsheim tries to get Shaw to agree to let Gernsheim look through Shaw's photos, to select some for Gernsheim's book on the history of photography:

Gernsheim pleads: "I won't disturb you in your work; in fact, you need not see me if you don't want to!"

Shaw says no:
"Quite out of the question. You would have to ransack the whole house: a week's hard work. They are not collected and catalogued. Keep off." [Signed, GBS 5/6/1950.]

From Gernsheim exhibit at the Ransom, through January 2, 2011.

Shaw's photographic legacy is being cataloged in the project, Man and Cameraman. Apparently, a great deal more than "a week's hard work."

[Shaw is famous for so many sayings; I invite you to leave your favorites in the comments]

Reclining Man With Headache; Head of Reclining Man; Hand; Head In Profile; Head In Three-Quarters

2010-12-29T14:41:00.003-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

The first two are pastel and charcoal on pastel card.

The last three are Tombow marker and water on Bristol.

In reality, it was not the model with the headache, but me.

Woman In Grey

2010-12-27T13:06:00.005-06:00

Painted this morning, from life.

Oil on 24"x36" canvas.

The light this morning was strong. Blue sky, clear, cold weather, fairly calm.

The model posed in front of a large window, with extra light coming from her left.

Season's Greetings, December 2010

2010-12-23T12:12:00.005-06:00

Drawn from life, this morning.

Pastel on card.

My models were some branches from this morning's walk. I don't know what kind of tree the predominant branch is from, but the leaves suggested in the background are from Spanish oak.

I wish us all a peaceful and joyful season.

Silent Night Woman; Silent Night Figure; Portrait In Red

2010-12-22T17:27:00.000-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

These are Tombow marker, brush and water, plus ink on Bristol, about 9"x12" each.

We were listening to Christmas music.

Monday Morning Woman

2010-12-21T09:37:00.000-06:00

Drawn from life, yesterday morning, at Ruta Maya.

Tombow marker and ink, with water and brush, on Bristol.

The smaller sketch can serve as a thumbnail, with sufficient light and dark information, if I decide to paint this.

It was very dark inside the cafe yesterday morning. And it was crowded with holiday get-togethers, including one revolving around a doula and her clients and their small children. Several of the children came by to watch me paint the portrait and ask questions.

Reclining Figure In Brown; Rainbow Torso

2010-12-17T10:38:00.002-06:00

Drawn Wednesday morning, from life.

The reclining figure is Tombow marker, water and brush on bristol paper.

The torso is Tombow marker, water and brush, pastel and ink on bristol paper.

I am just starting to use the markers and brush again. I am way out of practice, but it's a skill worth redeveloping and developing further.

Woman Among Leaves; Woman Among Calla Lilies; Standing Woman

2010-12-14T14:38:00.002-06:00

Drawn from life, this morning.

These are pastel and charcoal on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

The seated figures are 30-minute poses; the standing figure is a 15-minute pose.

Reclining In Lavender; Reclining In Blue; Artist And Model In December

2010-12-11T13:37:00.002-06:00

The top two drawings were drawn this morning, from life.

They are pastels, on approximately 9"x12" card.

The model was in a single pose. The figure in blue is a mirror image, from a different place, of the figure in lavender.

Do I even need to say I was late--almost an hour late? In this case, it's because I forgot the time while painting earlier this morning on the canvas below.

Artist And Model In December is oil on 20"x24" canvas. It was painted from life Monday morning.

Yes, I was late. And all that was left was a "less desirable" profile view of the model, plus the mirrored image of another painter. We were painting indoors because the weather was cold that morning.

I've been working on it intermittently at home since.

It's probably not complete, but it's far enough along that I'm willing to share.

Two Figures; Seated Woman

2010-12-09T10:46:00.006-06:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

These are pastel on pastel card, about 9"x12" each.

About these:

There was only one model yesterday.

Two Figures is yesterday's model, drawn on top of an earlier life drawing of a male model.

In the comments, we've been talking about influences, conscious and otherwise, in this drawing.

Check out the relevant bit of Botticelli's Venus here.

And the flattened and distorted face Picasso painted here (part of a discussion at Banjo's blog on December 8, 2010.)

And the stark palette of the German Expressionists, in a poster here.

Seated Woman is actually my first drawing of the morning. Very colorful, very classical in shape and pose. Two Figures is, in part, my own reaction to this classicism and high color.

Seated Woman is also my first drawing after getting the thumb on my left hand splinted on Tuesday morning (thumb is sprained, we hope). It is awkward working with a splinted thumb, but much nicer than trying to work without the splint.

In 5 Minutes . . . More Or Less: A Preview Of My Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook

2010-12-07T13:53:00.014-06:00

I've cut and glued and photographed and processed my little drawings for the Brooklyn Art Library's Sketchbook Project.

The book, with the original drawings, is ready to be mailed off to the library, where it will become part of a traveling exhibit of people's art.

While the sketchbook project is closed for this year, the Library has other projects going. Each project seems to involve filling a small notebook with something like story or photos or . . . and mailing it in to the Library, where it is exhibited with others of its ilk: A fun thing to do for yourself or with a group, maybe with children.

Meanwhile, enjoy the movie of the sketchbook, at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt9_imvbNtA

This is my first stab at "movie." I tried to photograph the sketches so they looked like part of a notebook--which they now are. The best part of this sketchbook is all the different papers I used; it's tactilely pleasing.

Keeping a sketchbook is good for drawing skills. It's also pleasant to have a little book that records drawings from a particular time and place, in this case, Austin in November 2010.

I am looking forward to seeing all the notebooks, when they come to Austin.

Seated Woman In Blue And Red; Reclining Woman In Orange And Gray

2010-12-02T07:59:00.007-06:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on card, about 14"x19" each.

About these:

It was a beautiful, crisp, cold, clear morning.

The model, also an artist who draws, posed in two very relaxed and natural ways. A pleasure to draw.

Man In Blues And Greys; Reclining Man In Red

2010-11-30T16:15:00.007-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

The large painting is oil pastel and acrylic paint on 20"x24" canvas.

The small piece is oil pastel on 6" square origami paper.

I will probably add some detail to the large painting, but I want to live with it for a bit before deciding.

Woman In Autumn; Back In Purple; Woman In Blue And Red; Woman In Blue And Yellow

2010-11-24T16:29:00.004-06:00

I painted these yesterday and today, from life.

Woman In Autumn is oil pastel and oil paint on 11"x14" canvas.

Back In Purple is oil pastel and oil on 12"x16" canvas.

The two small sketches are oil pastel on papyrus, for the Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook Project.

About Woman In Autumn:

These are the colors of the leaves on the ground this morning. Although it is a warm windy day today, it looks like and feels like winter is coming. And that is what I painted.

Woman Among Marigolds At The Eastside Cafe

2010-11-23T08:24:00.003-06:00

Painted outdoors, from life, yesterday morning.

Oil and oil pastel, 20"x24" canvas.

About this:

We were outdoors, in the middle of the most marvelous organic garden, with chickens, at the Eastside Cafe. (Check out the Eastside story portion of the Eastside website for more about the garden.)

The day was kind of cool and windy and threatening rain at first, then it warmed up and got sunny and windy. This was a three-hour long session, with breaks.

I painted the dark and threatening part of the morning.

The model, also an artist, was shivering at first, then closed her eyes and kind of sunbathed, fully clothed, once the sun came out. And we enjoyed our cold drinks--our model had root beer-- and painted some more.

Bathing Beauty; Sleeping Sitting Up

2010-11-22T08:40:00.008-06:00

Drawn from life, yesterday afternoon.

Bathing Beauty is oil paint and oil pastel on canvas, 24"x36".

Sleeping Sitting Up is oil pastel on clear gessoed doorskin, 12"x12".

About these:

The model chose her costumes. The first was an early 20th century swimsuit. I imagined a summer day at a beach with a rollercoaster.

In the second pose, she got into a state that reminded me very much of those times when, exhausted, you fall asleep despite yourself.

Reclining Woman In Red, White And Blue 2

2010-11-19T12:53:00.002-06:00

I drew some more on Tuesday's Reclining Woman.

I like most of the changes, but I think I may go back and add some more fleshy colors.

Studio update:

I have put away enough stuff that I can start painting again at home. Yay!

Means I can work bigger, when I like. As I often do.

And I can start going back to the plein air oil sketches and turn them into paintings.

Woman Reclining On Flowers

2010-11-17T14:02:00.007-06:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Oil pastel on pastel paper, about 12"x8".

About this:

I'm having a lot of fun with these oil pastels. Especially now that I've realized I can smear them a bit if I want--and, sometimes, I do.

It's a beautiful, sunny and mild day today. Fairly tame for Austin and appreciated all the more for that.

This model is much larger, lusher, than most and the flowers just seem to belong with her.

Woman With Snake Tattoo; Seated Woman On Gold Paper; Reclining Figure In Red, White And Blue

2010-11-16T15:58:00.002-06:00

Drawn from life, this morning.

Woman With Snake Tattoo is oil pastel on pastel paper, 12"x16".

The small piece is oil pastel on gold fibrous paper, for the sketchbook project.

The third, unfinished piece (Reclining Figure in Red, White And Blue) is oil pastel on pastel paper, about 8"x12". I expect to add more white to it and better define the shapes with black and red.

Anyway, I actually learned a bit about pastels today, courtesy of an artist, Maria Lyle, who also attends these drawing meetups and who is very skilled with and knowledgeable about pastel. And does some beautiful stuff. (Check out the link.)

About these drawings:
Of course, I arrived late. But, some folks left early, so I was able to move around.

The model is a teacher and a poet, and on breaks, we were able to talk a bit about writers and books--some of my favorite things, as a consumer. She is also a stronger appearing, more muscular type than the usual models we've been drawing.

Woman In A Fur Coat

2010-11-15T13:08:00.000-06:00

This morning's painting, en plein air.

Oil pastel and oil paint on linen canvas, 11"x14".

About this painting:

The model, a jewelery artist, was huddled in her coat, reading a book and trying to stay warm with a hot drink on this chilly, overcast morning. She really does have amazing red hair.

We were painting on a sheltered outdoor patio, and we needed the shelter. It was raining a bit and it was in the 50s (Fahrenheit).

Artist And Model 4; Recliining Woman In Red And Green

2010-11-13T13:37:00.003-06:00

Today's paintings, from life.

Artist And Model 4 is oil pastel and oil on 12"x16" canvas.

Reclining Woman In Red And Green is oil pastel on pastel paper, about 5"x8".

About these:

Once again, I was very late to this early morning drawing session. So I got another chance to explore the artist and model theme.

The artist this time is Dave, a talented pastel artist and dancer. As you can see, today is sweater weather in Austin (very beautiful).

I expect that I will add to this painting, later.

I also did another small painting for the Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook Project.

Woman Sleeping In Green; Woman Sleeping In Red; Woman Sleeping At Night; Woman Resting On Stool (Brown); Woman Resting On Stool (Gold)

2010-11-10T13:39:00.004-06:00

Some of this morning's drawings, drawn from life.

These are more for the Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook Project.

All about 5"x8", pastel on varied art paper, including some pastel card.

To see more from this series, go to imagekind. (Blogger was not cooperating with the posting of more images. Indeed, I had to struggle with the program to get any image posted.)

These are small, quick sketches. The actual poses were long, about an hour in each pose, minus times for breaks. So I was able to draw the same two poses repeatedly, with different colors on different papers. Lots of fun for me, and excellent exercise.

Woman Standing On Brown Paper; Back On Purple And Blue; Figure In Red; Reclining Figure In Blue; Reclining Figure In Yellow; Back In Blue And White

2010-11-09T16:07:00.003-06:00

Drawn from life, this morning.

More small, quick sketches (these are about 5"x8") for the Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook Project.

These are all oil pastel on different fancy papers.

I am enjoying the challenges that these different surfaces present.

Seated Woman In Green; Woman Dreaming On Red Couch; Woman Wearing Earrings

2010-11-08T10:27:00.003-06:00

Drawn from life, yesterday afternoon.

These are more of the quick, small oil pastels on crumpled green paper.

Part of the series for the Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook Project.

Seated Woman On Papyrus; Face On Papyrus; Standing Woman In Yellow; Reclining Woman In Yellow

2010-11-04T10:50:00.002-05:00

Drawn yesterday morning, from life.

The first two are oil pastel on papyrus.

The last two are oil pastel on handmade paper.

These are more drawings for the sketchbook project.

About these pieces:

I'm putting together some very quick, small sketches for a fun sketchbook show that the Brooklyn Art Library is hosting. If you have some interest in contributing to this, check out their website. The link is in yesterday's comments.

The model was terrific, and I loved these materials, especially the papyrus. The vertical strands of papyrus forced/shaped the images in surprising and pleasing ways.

One note: I did not prime these surfaces, so their expected lifespan is probably shorter.

Seated Woman In Pink; Seated Woman In Blue; Reclining Figure In Ocher; Standing Figure In Gold; Reclining Figure In Pencil

2010-11-02T16:11:00.002-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

The colored pieces are oil pastel on crinkled brown paper (paper is handmade, but not by me).

The drawing is graphite on white drawing paper.

This model was so relaxed in her body, she continued to pose--in reclining poses--during breaks. A pleasure to draw.

Woman In Red Glasses, Reading; Woman In Red Glasses And Blue Scarf

2010-11-01T15:25:00.005-05:00

Painted/drawn this morning, en plein air (outdoors), by the lakeside.

Woman In Red Glasses, Reading is oil pastel on 11"x14" canvas.

Woman In Red Glasses And Blue Scarf is oil pastel on approximately 12"x20" card.

The model, a dancer, was reading an art theory book, courtesy of one of the painters. Her glasses, highly decorative, are purely a fashion accessory.

In the background you can see a white swan and several black coots. Coots are funny ducklike creatures with chicken feet and loud querulous voices. Don't know if any of these coots are old.

I expect to paint the background and leave the foreground pretty much as is shown, here.

The drawing of the face will probably change a bit, as well.

Face In Blue 2

2010-10-30T16:22:00.005-05:00

Drawn today from life.

Oil pastel on 9"x12" card.

This was the first time I tried using the oil pastel on card. I really like the combination of materials and expect to do more of it.

Update:

I have started offering my work for sale as reproductions through imagekind.

See for yourself, by clicking the button on the left.

Questions or requests? Just leave them here in the comments.

Tree Nymph; Smiling Face In Red; Women In Blue

2010-10-30T12:25:00.006-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Tree Nymph is pastel and charcoal on 9"x12" card.

Smiling Face In Red is oil pastel on oil painting on 11"x14" canvas.

Women In Blue is oil pastel on 12"x16" pastel paper.

About these:

It is such a beautiful day today and the trees outside the studio are so lovely, that the colors of the day and the shapes of the trees made their way into the first drawing. And the sun and blue sky made their way into the third drawing.

This terrific model also seemed to be enjoying the day. She kept a relaxed and happy expression for the entire time she was posing. (Not an easy thing to do.)

Woman With Tattoos; Woman In Red; Woman In Green And Lilac

2010-10-27T13:19:00.002-05:00

Drawn from life, this morning.

The first two are pastel and charcoal on approximately 12"x20" card.

The last is pastel on about 9"x12" card.

About these drawings:

This model has a classical air about her: proportions, hairstyle, demeanor. Couple this with extensive, fanciful tattoos. Makes her contemporary and also not.

The tattoo featured on her chest is one I was quite taken with. In real life, it is not located on her chest, but I wanted to show it, so it got re-located.

Woman In Red And Yellow; Profile In Blue And Red; Crime Scene

2010-10-26T16:28:00.002-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Woman In Red And Yellow is pastel and charcoal on 9"x12" card.

Profile In Blue And Red is oil pastel on oil painting on 11"x14" canvas.

Crime Scene is oil pastel on oil painting on 12"x12" canvas.

About these:

The model kept assuming poses that made her look recently deceased, with limbs and head dangling. Finally, with the bottom portrait, I went with it.

Figure In Blue; Face In Blue

2010-10-24T17:50:00.007-05:00

Drawn from life, this afternoon.

Mixed media (oil pastel on oil paint) paintings on 12" x 16" canvas.

About these paintings:

I love the impact the blues make against the dark background in the top painting.

I also am thrilled that I've figured out a way to oil paint and still take advantage of the meetup sessions, where oil paint and stinky stuff are forbidden.

This model is as close to an artist's fantasy as can be: able to hold difficult positions for 20 minutes at a time.

I've made some changes to both paintings. These are the most recent versions.

Woman In Yellow And Black; Woman In Pink And Blue

2010-10-20T16:19:00.001-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Reclining Man In Red And Yellow; Portrait In Red And Yellow

2010-10-19T21:41:00.008-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on 9"x12" card.

About these drawings:

Once, again, I arrived about 30 minutes late and ended up in a far corner.

But the room was less crowded because this drawing meetup operates with a reservation system, with strict limit on total number of people in the room. And my drawing neighbors were kind, so I could get close enough to see the model well.

I wasn't able to stay for the whole session, but I did do these drawings.

I left because I had a bad headache. I went straight to a nearby restaurant for a restorative bowl of chicken and asparagus soup and some coffee.

Artist And Model 3; Profile In Primary Colors; Back To Back In Orange And Blue

2010-10-16T12:28:00.003-05:00

Drawn from life, this morning.

Pastel and charcoal on 9"x12" card.

About these drawings:

I arrived very late, and once again the room was crowded. So, I got another opportunity to explore the artist and model theme. Lemonade from lemons.

After the artist packed up, I was able to move closer and play with the model's pose. I'm especially happy with Back To Back.

It's Time for "Art From The Streets"

2010-10-15T09:05:00.004-05:00

Chain Link Fence, pastel on 12"x16" pastel paper, drawn from life and inspired by -K- at East of West LA and Karin at Altadena Hiker.

_____________________________________

Art From The Streets is a project in Austin that involves the homeless. It consists of twice-weekly open studio art classes, with donated materials and volunteer facilitators.

Once a year, the artists can choose to show and offer their works for sale through the project. This year, the days are November 6th and 7th, at Saint David's Trinity Center, at 7th and Trinity, Austin, Texas.

I participated in the last class this year before the November show, and I can tell you, it was a community of artists engaged in producing individual works in a group setting: intense, focused, occasionally playful, occasionally competitive.

Because of the opportunity to produce and sell their works, some homeless artists have been able to transition to artists with homes.

If you have the chance to be in Austin at the time of the show--and you collect art or just enjoy contemporary work-- check this show out. You will find much to delight and intrigue you.

Also check out the documentary film about this project. Be sure to read the director's statement about the film and the project.

Woman In Orange, Blue And Green; Woman Thinking In Pink And Orange; Woman Resting In Red And Pink; Woman Sleeping In Pink And Blue

2010-10-14T04:53:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's drawings, from life.

Pastel and charcoal on 9"x12" card.

About these drawings:

The model is a dancer, just finishing up her MFA. Her body-consciousness and expressiveness contributed significantly to these drawings.

I've arranged these drawings in the order they were drawn. Woman In Orange, Blue And Green was drawn in about 10 minutes. The remainder took about 15-30 minutes, each.

Woman Thinking In Pink And Red; Woman Standing In Primary Colors; Woman Resting In Blue And Yellow; Woman Reclining In Primary Colors

2010-10-12T16:40:00.002-05:00

Today's sketches, from life.

Standing Woman was a five minute drawing; the rest were 30 minute drawings.

Pastel and charcoal on approximately 9"x12" Sennelier La Carte Pastel Card.

Thanks, Casey Klahn at the Colorist for recommending this support. I like its finely sanded surface, and it's easy to make four 9x12s out of one large sheet.

Woman In Torn Jeans

2010-10-11T15:59:00.006-05:00

This morning's plein air oil painting.

A bit about this painting: This is painted from life, a 30 minute pose. The model is lying on a blanket covered with a white sheet, on the grass. The time was close to noon, on a hot day which started out clear. Dark clouds were moving in. Then, later in the afternoon and evening, came thundershowers.

I need to look at it again in a few days to see what still needs doing. Already, parts of it stand out as needing repainting/reshaping.

One thing I learned at the Art Institute of Chicago last week is that I now appreciate Gauguin.

When I first saw his work in person, it was at a special show of many of his works that traveled to the LA County Art Museum when I was about 11 years old. I didn't like it at all.

This time, I visited a couple of his paintings at the Chicago Art Institute and I loved them, especially Day of the God, a dream/memory painting. ( For a good explanation of the painting, look here.) It's amazing how much better his work has gotten over the years.

Woman In A Black Hat

2010-10-10T06:46:00.007-05:00

Drawn from life.

A bit about this drawing:

This hat is a favorite of the model's. She put in on for the final pose (about 20-30 minutes), and her expression and body posture changed, became stronger and more contemplative.

Pastel on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

About Public Notice 3:

I spent the last few days in Chicago, and I visited the Art Institute of Chicago every day.

There's a temporary installation on the Woman's Board Grand Staircase that I recommend. It's a site-specific work by Indian artist Jitish Kallat, titled Public Notice 3.

The risers of the staircase become lines of text, and the text is a powerfully moving message from the September 11,1893 address by Swami Vivekananda .

You can read Kallat's statement about this piece here.

I would add to the artist's description that the way Kallat uses the diverging branches of the grand staircase to deliver the same message reinforces Vivekananda's message that there are many paths to the same truth, part of his argument for tolerance.

Woman In Black And Orange; Woman Looking Down; Profile In Blue And Orange

2010-10-06T09:41:00.011-05:00

Drawn yesterday, from life.

On colored pastel paper.

Woman in Black and Orange is very short poses, minute-long gestures, plus a longer drawing on top.

Then there was a break, and a few of us started talking about realism in drawing.

I think, if your goal is realism and you're drawing from life, you need to measure both length and width. Do so, and your drawings will be much more realistic.

After all that, you probably think that I measured for the last two drawings. I didn't, but just thinking about realism made me more careful with the lines and proportions and negative space.

Awaiting Results

2010-10-04T18:30:00.006-05:00

Drawn from life, yesterday morning.

On 12"x16" pastel paper.

Below is an oil sketch I made this morning, from life and out-of-doors ( en plein air) . Motivation to get a painting space set up, unpack my painting stuff completely and start painting again. I'll get back to working on this particular painting when I can. Reminiscent of this painting.

Woman In Green and Orange

2010-10-02T20:32:00.004-05:00

Pastel on sanded paper, about 14"x20".

Drawn September 22nd, from life.

Women Reclining In Blue

2010-10-01T07:59:00.009-05:00

I drew this the same morning as "Artist and Model 2."

Drawn from life.

Mixed media on white Coventry paper, about 10"x20".

Three Deer

2010-09-29T13:53:00.005-05:00

Three deer, photographed yesterday afternoon.

The doe closest to me clearly saw me and calmly stayed put while I ran to get my camera and took multiple photos. She got tired of watching me later and resumed grooming herself.

Update: I've relocated the photo of the three dears to a new place, one which I'll add to as I explore more of Austin.

Portrait in Pink and Blue; Profile in Green; Reclining Man

2010-09-28T14:03:00.008-05:00

Drawn today, from life.

On 12"x16" black pastel paper. Profile In Green is about 6"x12".

Artist and Model 2

2010-09-25T14:21:00.014-05:00

Drawn today, from life.

I've added more color to the page at home. The artist and his work are more defined.

Mixed media on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Working in a room with others, all focused on the same enterprise, but each producing individual work, is informative. Each piece is different and personal, like a portrait of the artist at that time and place.

Woman Standing in Red

2010-09-22T13:23:00.010-05:00

Drawn today, from life.

Pastel and Conte pencil on black pastel paper, about 9"x9".

Woman Sleeping; Moonbath

2010-09-21T16:49:00.012-05:00

Drawn today, from life.

Woman Sleeping, pastel on black pastel paper, about 12"x12".

Moonbath, pastel on black pastel paper, about 12"x14".

Longing; Proposal; Healing Touch; Together

2010-09-19T18:35:00.005-05:00

Drawn today, from life.

All on black pastel paper (12"x16").

Together is pastel and graphite; the others are pastel.

Women in Red and Blue

2010-09-19T12:51:00.003-05:00

Drawn yesterday, from life.

Pastel on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Woman in Gold

2010-09-16T09:01:00.001-05:00

Drawn yesterday, from life.

Pastel on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Reclining Woman; Seated Woman in Blue; Seated Woman in Pink

2010-09-14T15:20:00.005-05:00

Drawn today, from life. Half-hour poses.

All are pastel on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Woman in Red and Green; Woman in Red and Purple

2010-09-11T13:40:00.008-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Woman in Red and Green is pastel on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Woman in Red and Purple is pastel on 12"x16" grey Ampersand board for pastels.

Last night I went to see this exhibit. Amazing stuff. Especially charming to see very early photographers working hard to emulate paintings by deliberately putting some of the image in soft focus, or by coloring the negative of a landscape to produce a lighter sky, or by various other stratagems.

Woman in Flower

2010-09-09T08:30:00.002-05:00

Drawn yesterday, from life.

Pastel and Conte pencil on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Woman in the Rain (Yellow); Woman in the Rain (Blue); Woman in Pink; Woman in Silver and Gold

2010-09-07T15:44:00.009-05:00

Drawn today, from life.

These are pastel, on 12"x16" black pastel paper.

Woman in Pink and Woman in Silver and Gold have been cropped.

Women in Blue and Grey

2010-09-04T13:34:00.010-05:00

Update September 5, 2010:

I've reworked the drawing; the new version is what's posted here.

Drawn September 4, from life, further developed in studio.

Pastel and Conte pencil on black pastel paper, 12"x16".

Woman in the Clouds; Woman in Violet

2010-09-02T08:54:00.006-05:00

Drawn yesterday, from life.

Woman in the Clouds is pastel on black pastel paper, 11" x 15".

Woman in Violet is pastel and Conte pencil on black pastel paper, 12" x 16".

Woman Wrapped in Blue; Seated Woman

2010-08-31T15:53:00.004-05:00

Drawn today, from life.

Woman Wrapped in Blue, pastel and Conte pencil on 12" x 16" black pastel paper.

Seated Woman, charcoal and Conte stick on 14" x 17" drawing paper.

Chain Link Fence

2010-08-25T11:41:00.009-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life, inspired by this photo by -K- at East of West L.A. and a conversation with Karin Bugge of Altadena Hiker.

Pastel and pencil on black pastel paper, 12"x16".

Young Man Dozing; Young Man Reclining

2010-08-24T16:16:00.006-05:00

Drawn this morning, from life.

Young Man Dozing, 14"x17" charcoal and Conte pencil and sticks on white drawing paper.

Young Man Reclining, 12"x16" pastel and Conte pencil on black pastel paper.

Young Woman Smiling

2010-08-21T13:13:00.004-05:00

Drawn this morning from life.

Mixed media on black pastel paper, 12"x16".

Reclining Woman

2010-08-19T20:00:00.002-05:00

Drawn yesterday, from life.

Tombow markers and pastel on 12"x16" pastel paper.