Something different

A scruffy way to start the day. Smile and the whole world smiles with you.

Last of the new...

A final look at Sara.  I kind of like this one and purposely kept it to a head shot.  I actually wanted to leave it without any indication of the torso but felt guilty about breaking down early so I kept drawing.  I knew I didn't have enough time really delve into the face without leaving it incomplete and I was happy with the simple rendering I had so I threw in the shoulder and such.  Next session I think I will concentrate on finishing what I can rather than trying to get a finished piece.

Perchance to dream

Another similar pose to Wednesdays.  The same reasons apply as to why I like these poses, the weight of the figure collapsing in upon itself creating shapes and that are not readily drawn from memory.  I'm told that much of what artists put down on paper or canvas is easily identifiable imagery.  Do we actually render the shape in front of us or do we rely on icons to form our drawing?  I know that I often render an ear as I think an ear should be.  When I stop to really look at the ear I'm drawing I get lost in the uniqueness of what I'm seeing.  I know that I do this to make the most use of the time I have (usually only ten minutes) so I fall back on familiar images.  Perhaps I will try to be more faithful and get less of a complete drawing done the next session.

A few more

Just a couple more over the next three days to finish off the latest session.  Then I'll dredge up some of the older work.  Oofda, turkey really does me in...

Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy the love of family and friends today, and hopefully everyday.

Repose...

or perhaps she's just resting before that big Thanksgiving Day feast. Regardless, these are some of my favorite poses. With the angle and gravity creating great shapes and interesting layers that challenge me to be faithful to what I see and not try to draw what I think should be there.

I got your back

Okay, corny I know. Generic drawing as well. Competent but nothing special. I think that with the upcoming holidays I get a bit distracted. Stupid considering I won't be drawing from life for a couple of weeks. I need to get my touch back, perhaps with longer poses.

Okay, back on track

Much happier with this one. Not a great drawing but at least the pose didn't make me look foolish. Got a little too enamored with the hand, I think, but at least you can tell it's a person. Baby steps, everyone, baby steps.

Uh, oops

Only explanation is that this pose kicked my butt.  And it was only five minutes long.  And... this pose simply kicked my backside.

Basic Construction

I started the evening with the simple construction of the figure.  Five minutes.  I'm actually heartened by this little effort.

Gestures and thoughts

Okay, maybe just gestures.

Final two of the night

I believe I ran out of steam at the end here.  I sort of like the back shot but I just went through the motions with the last piece.  I think I wanted to finish a face and just did enough to do that.  I hope to do a little more tonight, you know, finish strong.

... and better

Alright, I actually like most of this one.  The design and execution all work for me.

Better, I think

Standard pose.  Standard drawing.  I'm happy with most of it but am disappointed that I seem to be missing the spark that makes these shine.  Not sure what it is (or isn't) but I'll have to keep at it.

Win some...

Would I like to blame this drawing on poor choice of materials?  Of course!  However, I just felt befuddled by this pose.  There's nothing I can point to exactly as to why this doesn't work for me, it just doesn't. 

Take a seat

Pretty pleased with the direction this one was going.  Not enough time but what got done was encouraging.  Even the flow of the draped sheet on the stool added to the overall image.  Probably my favorite sketch of the evening.

Bits and pieces

I finished up the gestures on this page and then did the first drawing (bottom right) of the night.  I guess I felt a little impressionistic, using the large vine charcoal exclusively on this one.  M's body type really lends itself to the broad strokes to indicate the masses and the chunky lines give this a bit of that illustrative look from days gone by.

M to the rescue

I want to thank our model for bailing us out at, literally, the last moment. He did, as always, a terrific job and we are grateful. Thanks, M.

This, obviously, is the gesture page to start the evening.

Last sketch of the evening

This drawing proved to be a bit difficult for me.  I probably should have changed locations in the room and gotten a foreshortened angle to work with.  The drawing looks flat to me and I had issues with the right leg and foot.  I do like the left hand, the simplicity and shape were my favorite parts in this piece.  Whereas this rendering had potential I don't think I was able to get it to where I wanted.  And so it goes.

Seems like a linear night

I guess I was in a bit of a minimalist mood last Thursday.  I kind of like this although there seems to be a bit of a proportion problem.  Believe me, I measured many times and I still think the head is too small.  Not sure why...

A wee bit better

I've done this pose many a time and it never fails to remind me of a Jeff Jones drawing.  For me, that's not a bad thing.

Eh, not quite right

There are some things I like in this sketch but overall I wasn't happy with it.  Too heavy with the outline on the head and how it drew down into the neck.  A lack of confidence, it seems.  I was having problems with the eye until the last ten or so seconds.  Amazing what a bottom lid will do.

Back to Basics

Simple line work with a dynamic pose.  I was quite happy with the way the evening began.  Wonder how the rest of the night unfolds.

Gest Justures

The warmups from Thursday night.  Still a little sluggish from getting set up for and having last nights artist's reception at the store.  No great insight on the line work or freeing blah blah blah.  I'll try harder tomorrow.

Too busy to post.

Well, too busy to photograph last night's drawings, since I'm obviously posting. We (Gallery Interiors) are having an Artist's Reception tonight and things have gotten a little crazy. I'll put some drawings up tomorrow.

Back to class

Seems like we haven't been drawing for a very long time. Back to normal tonight. In the meantime, here is another older drawing, probably from the Monday night sessions at the local college.

Two

To make up for yesterday. Again, sorry for the lapse. These are both older drawings from the Nicholas Gallery and MSU-B days. Not sure if I've evolved or devolved in my drawing style but at least it's still fun.

Oops

Kinda got distracted.  No picture today.  

Knockoff

One of our clients asked for me to reproduce one of my nudes in a smaller size.  I took the liberty of softening the face by rounding it out a bit, but otherwise tried to be faithful to the original.  This is the result.  I would put the original up for comparison but it is under glass and I don't feel like taking it out just for this post.   

A few of the crew

Last sketch of the night.  Some of the crowd.