Friday, December 31, 2010

Final drawings of the year



This model was special to me for one reason. Our scheduled model for the evening didn't show up and this young artist offered to pose on one condition, that she get a drawing from me. Now I can't remember the drawing she chose, but the fact that my work meant enough to her to pose for us made me realize the power of art. I have never forgotten how that made me feel and I hope I never do.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope that I have given you a reason to spend a few moments of your busy days to stop and see what I've done. I hope all of you have a wonderful 2011.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Rubenesque

I wish I could remember this models name but she was terrific. Lot's of shape to draw. Certainly not what we are used to but she made it work and I benefited with some very nice drawings over the couple of years she posed for us.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Now THAT'S a DRAWING!

Lost edges. Solid construction. Simple shading. Interesting shapes and a bit of movement to boot. This is what I wish I could bring to my newer work. It seems I could even draw hands back then.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Rare pencil drawing

Must've been in my Andrew Wyeth mood when I did this since I don't often use pencil. Especially on newsprint. I like the work, it just is hard to see.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Appropriate...


The last week of any year is the traditional time to look back and reflect. I'm just looking back a little farther than usual. I hope you're enjoying the peek at my old stuff, I'm kind of having fun posting some of this stuff. It reminds me of what I should be doing. Maybe I'll figure out a way to get back to this kind of detail without sacrificing my love of the simple. A goal (resolution?) for the coming year, perhaps. Cripes how I hate setting goals that are determined by the calendar.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas


I hope everyone got what they truly wanted this year.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Twas the night before Christmas


And I'm sure sugar plum fairies were dancing in her head.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Reclined

One of my favorite models from the early sessions, Adrian. Again, I love using the newsprint versus the higher quality paper. It is far more forgiving, in my opinion, and I am absolutely enamored with the results.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Birthday, Pin Up Gal


Stephanie is celebrating a birthday. Here's to you, Miss S.

Well, what do you think...


have I declined? improved? evolved?

I tend to think I have evolved but maybe taken a step back. Change but not necessarily for the better. I know I had more time but I think I have lost track of focus and that really shows. Anyhow, here is another oldie.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Some old stuff


Back in the days of longer poses, unbridled enthusiasm and not having any responsibility other than showing up and drawing. I was using newsprint from the end rolls of the Billings Gazette. I love that paper. My wife convinced me to stop using it because it yellows but I have never enjoyed a drawing surface as much as the cheap newsprint. Slick and forgiving. Beautiful. And I never cared if it yellowed, in my mind it made it more interesting.
Anyhow, here is one from long ago.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Looking back

Last "new" drawing of 2010. Apropos, I suppose, since I just ran across a lot of drawings from as far back as eleven years ago. I'll begin posting those tomorrow and we'll see how much has changed in my style in the last decade.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Second to last for the year

Kinda diggin' the freeform linework I used here. I think the spotting of darks works far better than yesterday's sketch and I finally got around to a face (sorta). Really happy with the right hand on her hip.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Coming to the end

See yesterday's post and you will understand what I meant by being seduced by the siren call of shading, alas, to ill effect. Don't start something you can't finish. With the wonderful dimension that the right leg had to offer coupled with the folds of the draped kimono I was powerless to resist and, as you can see, the drawing paid the price.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Lines


I really liked where this one was going. I made the conscious decision not to add any contouring to this one. I tend to mess up a good piece by shading it partially and then running out of time.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Funeral for a Friend

This morning I attended a funeral for a man I barely knew. I renewed our acquaintance about eleven years ago. I met him purely by happenstance and, to be completely honest, I didn't recognize him. However he knew me immediately and I fumbled for a few moments until he let me off the hook. I didn't see him for a couple of years after that. I ran into him at an open house and introduced him to my wife, Stephanie. Again, I was a bit slow on the recognition. Not Steve, he started in like we had just been to lunch. He filled me in on his life and I brought him up to date. I saw him only one more time, in passing, a couple of years ago. Why do I tell you all this? He remembered me from track and cross country in high school. I was a senior and he, I believe, was a sophomore. I didn't have much to do with my own class let alone a lower class. Steve reminded me how I helped acclimate him to the group and that I would run with him at times. Honestly, I don't remember. From the obituary and the eulogies I realize that Steve was a man who made it his goal to put everyone ahead of himself. A lesson I am still learning. Funny how I can miss someone I hardly knew.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Lot's of fun here

The mass, the lines, the great shapes! I loved working on this one. I wish I had more time with it and more paper. I would love to have worked on this for a full hour. Two. So much to do, so little time.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Liking this better


Much more to my liking. I like the shading and even the rendering of this one. Lost edges, spotty darks... just wish I had been a little less rusty overall.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

A bit sketchy


Still not in the groove. I fear for my return at the next session, nearly a month from now.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

I'm a wee bit older today

Well, technically, I'm a wee bit older every day, hour, minute, second of my life. But that is neither here nor there, I've just turned 47 today. I wish I felt older but for some reason I don't think I've ever progressed much past 15. Oh well, I'm just using this as an excuse to take up another day of not posting a drawing so I can stretch out the last session as long as I can.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Nice pose, Sara

I really like the execution of this sketch. Quick and accurate. Simplified forms and loose lines. I wish I could give myself permission to render a lot of my work this way.

Monday, December 6, 2010

A bit better

I really like the shadows created here. I'll avoid the familiar plaint of not enough time. Oops, guess I didn't avoid it. I like this drawing for certain things, but don't like it for others. A good way to get my hand back into life drawing after nearly a month off. And now there will be another month off. Sigh

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Eh...


Hey, give me a break here. It has been almost a month, ya know. Alright, alright, no excuse. Not my best but I think there are better ones to come.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

More gestures


Streeeeeeetttcccchhhhhiiiiinnnnnggggg it out. Just a couple more gesture drawings.

Friday, December 3, 2010

FINALLY!!!!!!


Last session of the year, unfortunately. So it was a good session to end on, I think. Here is the first of the gestures from last night.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Back to work

Tonight we will meet for possibly the last time this year. Maybe the 16th. Alas, I'm not happy about this but...

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Up early...


so I thought I'd do a drawing. Just a quick little pencil sketch of one of my favorite models, Cep.