Portrait of my brother

I decided a portrait sketch of my brother Gibbs would be a good practice for me and a nice surprise for my dad.   It was a good exercise, but not a great likeness.  Practice makes perfect - but do I really want to be PERFECT?!   Artistic, creative, interesting - yes!  Perfect - been there, done that!  :>) Ha! Ha!

Yesterday in Andy's class we worked on a much more creative painting!  It's great to learn new techniques and to "see" things in different ways.   I'll try to post my painting from yesterday after it dries.

Lady in Red

I haven't posted in a while, and, actually, I've been in a little bit of a painting funk.  We've been out of town a lot AND the weather has been pretty enough to play some golf.  So, my painting has not been a top priority.  Today, I went back to Creative Figure class after a two-week absence.   Andy is such a good teacher!  Today we worked on the core form (pelvis, hip, pear-shape that forms the middle of the body) and connecting the darks.  Then, I came home and worked on the painting above.  I probably should work on it some more, but may let it "sit" for a while.  I have a tendency to overwork pieces.  It's not "perfect" but I'm pleased with my progress!   (I might need to take a photography class. I didn't make a careful image placement and the top ribbon of dark is actually not part of the painting - sorry!)

Adding a little color

Today I was at the studio for a little over an hour.  I played around with some color (pastels) on my recent portrait sketch.  I'm undecided about whether it is better or worse, but it was a good learning experience.  I think a little more time on it will be enough to say it is finished.

Portrait sketching

For some reason, I have had a very hard time "getting started" on anything at my studio.  I've been excited about work and progress while at Andy's figure class and at the model sessions at Tony's.  BUT, once at my studio - I have been uninspired!  Today, I decided just to do SOMETHING!  I remembered a motivational speech by Michael Shane Green.  First, he told us about the attributes an artist needs - motivation, inspiration, perspiration, creativity, etc.  Then, he admitted that some days he doesn't feel any of these.  It's those times that he tells himself just to go to his studio and "make some mistakes."  What a wonderful thought on learning!  So, this morning I pulled a photograph of my cousin's daughter Betsy and her daughter and worked for a little over an hour.  Above is the unfinished sketch.  I know it still needs some work, but at least I got started and am excited about getting back to it on Tuesday. 

Figure sketching in January

Today I went over to Tony Griffith's studio to sketch with other local artists!  It's a great opportunity to draw from a live model and to be around other artists.  Above are a couple of examples of drawings completed in twenty-minute poses.

Expressive Figure

I'm continuing to enjoy the figure class at Andy's.  Above is a pastel sketch I did a couple of weeks ago.

At the right is an expressive painting that was done on gold gessoed paper.  It was really a fun exercise!

And below is Green Nude - a sketch I did from Pose 3.

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Figure Sketch

I am having so much fun in Andy Braitman's Creative Figure classes on Mondays.  Having the opportunity to sketch (or paint) from a live model is wonderful, and even better is the fact that Andy and Charlotte provide great input, modeling, and feedback.  The sketch on the left took about 20 minutes.  Now, some of you may be thinking that it's not that great!  My challenge to you, try it!  It's a fun and humbling experience.  I remember going to galleries and even museums and sometimes thinking, "I could do that."  Well, in most cases I was speaking out of ignorance.  In the past three years since I have been working on my art, I have come a long way AND I have a long way to go.  In the new book about Stephen Jobs, he is quoted as saying,  "The journey is the reward."  How true!