The best Life drawing I have ever done. Plus a few others.

Last Friday was a real test. I wasn’t happy with the way the session was going, the pub at lunchtime had dulled me and the lack of concentration was translated on the page.
For the last pose of the night 3 pieces of paper were stuck on the wall. The model was in a position to see as the drawing progressed. The work seemed to make itself, it felt like swimming, natural movements. My hands were a mess of colour afterwards. It felt like a real breakthrough.

So, from top: The final image photographed at home. The final pose photogrpahed in situ – you can see marks continue on the wall. The other work, some were photographed really badly hence the colour.

A painting, a sketch, a small sculpture and my mousemat.

This painting put a stop to copying other artists. It’s a copy of Carravagio’s John The Baptist. It never satisfied, the glazes of colour should have worked better. The brushwork and colour just are not good enough. Made around 1994. It had some copy at the bottom of the painting now lost.

I’m much happier with this sketch of Kate from 1995. You can tell how much I like her. You can also tell she’s watching TV.

My daughter wanted a little Roman lady sculpture last weekend. This is what came out.
It’s great fun working in clay, so I’ve bought some wire and intend to do some more.

What my mouse travels on. An ongoing thing.

Life Drawing 10/05/13

This week the oil pastels came out. Lighter colours overlayed with darker.

The last of the night. An amazing pose to keep for 45 minutes. A lot of blood going to the head.

The legs are a tad too long.

This technique of making circular forms seemed to work well.

Lot’s of talk of balance and weight. The style is a bit blocky, not that the style is that important.

A really tough pose.

Drama. The model was fantastic, straight out of a master painting and really into his job.

Talk about not starting the drawing in the right place.

The first of the night. It shows.

Stéphane Hessel, doodling.

What an interesting chap. His Times obituary and portrait of him by Boris Horvat inspired me to doodle over the course of three months; a little here, a little there. Here’s some of the stages.

From the sky.

I’ve been in the air recently. It always strikes me how beautiful it is. Heavenly.
I realise most people have taken shots like this but it doesn’t stop them being lovely.

Leaving blighty.

A windfarm. Now that’s perspective.

The view was better than looking at my son covered in breakfast, sat next to me.

It would be nice to think this is where we go when we lose our physical bodies.

Yeah.

The first life drawing class in a while

How I loved it. A good tutor, model and venue. Friday night.

The last pose of the night. My back was killing me.

Drawn with both hands at the same time. An idea from the teacher meant to loosen you up. I had had some chocolate & coconut cake so was already as loose as a goose.

A five minute pose. His left leg was on a stool.

Made with my right hand, which is my ‘wrong’ hand. Five minute pose.

Made with both hands on the charcoal. Notice the distortion on the legs. I was fairly close and cramped so the legs were done on my knees.

The left hand gave me a fair few problems. As did the shoulders. The buttocks were praised.

Fête accompli

I think this is the 4th year of designing the poster.
Advertising such a happy day is good for the soul.
I’ve tried to make the attractions more… attractive this year.
Zesty greens seem to make it look good and summery.

It’s also been a good test run for the new typeface (see the last post).