Lavender/Blue 1

Painted this afternoon, from life.

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

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

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.

Man In Blues And Greys; Reclining Man In Red

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

 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.

Bathing Beauty; Sleeping Sitting Up

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

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

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

 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

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

 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 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

 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

 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

 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

 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

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

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

 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.)