I tried out some new materials on my figure drawing this Saturday. A warmer gray, almost beige paper…lighter in value than I have been using (yes, I know it looks gray in this photo), and three colors of ‘Conte’ chalk/pastel pencils: white, a rust red, and a burnt umber. This is also a really large drawing. The portion of the figure shown is 20 inches in height.

The Guest Sketchbook goes up a week from tomorrow.  Send in your drawings any time before noon Monday December 3rd.

It’s a few days late, but here is my sketch from last Saturday’s figure drawing session.

This represents around 90 minutes of work. My first attempt was, shall we say, not worth finishing. No amount of attention to detail and careful refinement can cover up a poor layout. The lower portion of the figure was done quite rapidly, but after warming up on the top half, and is actually the best drawn part of the sketch.

Here is the end result of today’s figure drawing session. I spent a lot more time, working very lightly, trying to get proportions and anatomy drawn as accurately as possible before working in a little value. Even though it slowed me down considerably, I think it was time well spent. The head may still be the slightest bit on the small side, possibly because I was sitting somewhat below the model and closer than usual (meaning there was appreciable perspective at play which I didn’t fully account for). I still really like the drawing.

You can, as usual, click above for a larger version.

I have been, I fully realize, a bit scarce on the sketchbook postings over the past two weeks. I am in the final days of another sort-of commission painting, of which I have agreed to postpone posting images. This includes the several sketches and drawings I did in preparation. At some point in the near future, I will post them, just so you don’t get the impression I have been sitting on my hands all this time.

As for the recently finished ‘Architect Commission’ (not the real title), it has been introduced to it’s new owner and I am awaiting his permission to post images of the finished painting.

And now, concerning the Guest Sketchbook for December. I would like for it to be a big one. To that end, I am hoping to encourage as many of the other artists from the U of U figure drawing group as possible to submit a piece or two (not necessarily work done in the drawing sessions). I am also hoping for a little participation from one or two other local artists. However, I really would love to see new work from some of my old, regular participants. Please feel free to send in your stuff as early as you like. I don’t have a particular preference for time limits at this point, but I would like to encourage drawings as opposed to paintings. Please limit the size of your files to a width of 500-1000 pixels (1000 only if the detail requires it…500 if possible), and try to include your name and no spaces in the file names. JPG files are best. If you would like a more direct email address than the link on the website, please comment to this post and I will send you one (if you would like your email address to remain private, I will read and then delete your comments).
Happy Sketching.

Remember, remember the 5th of November? Yes, it’s a date of note in the recent movie, ‘V’, but it is also the date of this month’s guest sketchbook. Erik Widqvist remembered both these dates, and has sent in 4 new sketches, all done in Corel Painter.

First, to commemorate the 5th, this little 25 minute portrait:

Next, a nice, 30 minute nude study:

A portrait of Ron Paul (Erik has taken an interest in American politics) done in roughly 40-50 minutes:

And, finally, a self portrait. 30 Minutes.

Obviously, Erik has really improved his control of Painter in the past two months, especially when it comes to value rendering. I think I still prefer the linear, illustrative qualities of some of his analog work, but perhaps that will begin to translate into this medium with still more practice.

Thanks, Erik. I personally, really appreciate your continued participation in the GS.

Only one month left in the ‘Guest Sketchbook Participation Bribe Scheme’ I laid out earlier in the year. Erik’s basically guaranteed one print, but I would love to give away at least one more. So, sharpen your pencils, or boot up you computers, or whatever you have to do, and get a little sketching in before December.

It’s already Saturday again, and time for another figure drawing in the sketchbook.

Once again, the face is the real weak point in the drawing (though I will be the first to admit, it has some other awkward elements…my fault, not the model’s). I really need to draw the face first, before the models start nodding off. At least I finished most of the figure this time.

Just a heads-up…the Guest Sketchbook goes up on Monday. I hope to get a little fresh blood in this month’s edition, but we’ll see.