A3: Charoal and wash on paper
I’ve never focused on just the the head before but this time I found it interesting to do that, and I like how it turned out, even though there’s very little detail, so it isn’t really a portrait, but I think it does capture something of the character and elegance of this particular model.
Portraiture is another discipline entirely, and one I’d certainly like to explore and develop…
A3: Charcoal and wash on paper
I let the proportions get a bit out of hand here and was conscious of working quickly and relying on the values and the dark wash to do the work and make an impact. So now, without reference to the model, I can’t be sure where it’s all gone off, but the left leg certainly looks way longer than the right.
I think I need to concentrate on some disciplined measuring in my next few sessions to bring my eye and hand back in. They’re slipping!
A3: Charcoal and wash on paper
One of my drawings won a prize this week at the arts club annual exhibition. I also have two paintings in the show and sold one at the private view despite the NFS tag. Someone made me an offer and I took the cash. I’ve had offers for the drawing too but haven’t accepted…yet…as it’s one I’m fond of. I do have a plan chest full of drawings though so why have I not let it go?
It’s wonderful and very encouraging to receive acknowledgement and appreciation, and money, for my work.
I’ve sold many paintings in the past that I really loved and have no regrets about parting with any of them. (Well, maybe one, and I’ve insisted on keeping a few). Letting go of the old makes way for the new, and no one can enjoy work that’s hidden away in a rack or drawer.
I heard that a local artist, an excellent and prolific draughtsman, has been selling his life drawings for silly money at his open house show. A kind of loss leader for his paintings perhaps. I like that this gets his work, and his name, out there and suggests both a lack of attachment and a confidence that he can more or less give them away as there will always be plenty more where these came from.
The winning drawing is “Two’s Company” which I posted here on 18th February.
A3: Charcoal and wash on paper
In this drawing I wanted to stress the strong contrast between her back in bright light and her head, shoulder and arms in shadow.
A3: Charcoal and wash on paper
The day I made this drawing I got into a bit of a wrangle with another club member who thought I was taking photographs of the model. I was changing music tracks on my iPhone during the drawing session and she misread my actions. She was right to question me. I too feel strongly that it’s an absolute no-no to photograph a model without his or her express permission and co-operation, and ‘no photography’ is an important club rule.
I do enjoy listening to music though so I’ll have to remember to turn away from the model whenever I want to change a track!
A3 Charcoal on paper
I’m going away for a week and won’t be able to do any life drawing or post till I get back. This is one I did a few months ago. It keeps haunting me and maybe by posting it here the reason will become clearer…something to do with those sharp little straight lines and accents made with the edge of the charcoal.
A3 Charcoal and wash on paper
I felt tired and niggly and was ready to pack it in and go home but thought, as the model was making the effort, that I’d give it one last go! So I let myself off the old expectation hook by drawing mainly with my left hand which pulled me out of the doldrums into presence and the joy of simply looking and drawing with nowhere to get to. I think this pleasure shows in the end result which has a loose kind of freshness about it.
A3 Charcoal on paper
In the studio…yet she could be lying by a pool on a summer’s day…trailing her fingers in the cool water…
And check out the foreshortening going on here. Measured vertically that hand is the same size as the head…and the hips!
A3: Charcoal & wash on paper
Returning to drawing media after the oil wash-ins I feel the influence of the painting approach on my drawing. The tonal washes are bolder and looser and I really enjoy combining the line and wash like this.
And I even put in some facial features. Which is rare.
6 x 8 ins: Oil on canvas board
I’ve been drawing but haven’t photographed the most recent ones yet, so here’s another wash-in of the previous pose seen from another angle. I prefer the other one. It’s more dramatic.
Dee Berridge's Life Drawings 