Thursday, February 3, 2011

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

 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.

27 comments:

  1. Gorgeous colour and expression in these drawings Jean. I especially like the last one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. For me, the second one communicates a little more of something--character? mood? a mind at work? Both she and the painting feel more complete, defined.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bold and subtle at same time.
    I love your use of color to turn the form.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Both are nice. I like no. 2 best.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks, all.

    I like the orange paper with this model's coloring. This model really has red hair and is fair. Though you can't really tell from my sketches, she wore different vintage fur coats for these two poses. And for the second pose, at my suggestion, she picked a book to read, which gave her greater focus for that pose.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do you think that's why she's sad?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Margaret, it would have been more accurate to describe her as mourning. She just lost her companion dog of 13 years.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, you really captured a moment.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AH, thanks.

    We were talking about pets we've loved and outlived and remembering them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shanna, it was emotional, but also good to talk about dogs and death.

    I still miss my little painting companion and part of me still expects her to be there when I turn around.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I once had a great artist cat. She'd sit on the table but never walk across a wet canvas. Tova on the other hand, sits on the keyboard, walks across wet tiles and through paint. I try to keep her corralled on a blanket. Try is the operative word

    I've never used colored paper. I'm thinking of taking some heavy paper and using tea to stain it.

    that orange background has me wanting to paint my living room that color

    ReplyDelete
  12. Could be gorgeous--that wall.

    Your current muse, Tova, sounds like the anti-muse. Though maybe that's effective. You work in spite of her best efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the second one with her fiery hair and defined profile. I was going to ask why she was sad but you've answered that question. It's a blessing we get to share our lives with animals yet it hurts so much to lose them.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Susan, thanks.

    Sad as it is to lose them, having them is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Red is the truth of it, but losing her dog of thirteen years, blue would have been true too. I still feel my dog with me at times after a couple of decade. Never replaced him.
    I too like the second head best. The planes of the face are more distinctive, solid forms. There's an abstract quality here I like.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks, L.W.

    Dogs fill such a big place in our lives. Not to mention, they give you someone to talk out loud to.

    ReplyDelete
  17. this expression speek a lot to me, you are so great, this closed and sad feeling that this woman has is simply amazin...

    ReplyDelete
  18. These are both amazing. I appreciate the warm reflected light on her face and neck.

    It's wonderful to have a dog to talk to. Mine is at a stage in his life where he talks right back.

    ReplyDelete
  19. As I've said before, you're able to convey a great deal of emotion in your portraits.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jean,
    are beautiful and adorable!
    colors give a tone
    a little dramatic ...
    amazing

    ReplyDelete
  21. LIKE AUDREY HEPBURN ASKED IN MOON RIVER,"HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE MEAN REDS?" THEY ARE LIKE THE BLUES ONLY BLUER. YOU SURE PUT A FACE TO THIS FEELING.

    ReplyDelete