Figure drawing

Still learning and enjoying the challenge of figure drawing... The drawings are done on 18x 24 paper

I'm having a few issues with my computer, so I am using my iPad to post this, hopefully it appears ok on the blog page.

Thanks for taking the time to stop and view my artwork!

Drawing and experimenting with egg tempera

From time to time I come across paintings online that are done with egg tempera.  I have read about how to go about making it, but I have never tried it until now.  Following instructions online,  I used tubed gouache paint in place of powdered pigment,  and the egg yolk and water mixture to create the egg tempera paint.  I really liked the velvety smoothness of the paint, and love the feel of it as I painted it on.  The paper I used is a cream colored Stonehenge paper.  I think I would like this manner of painting, as it is not painting in broad strokes or pushing paint around... it is more linear, like drawing, swiftly making lines with it, cross hatching or scumbling... it dries very quickly, and then it's ready for another layer.  As I read about it more, I see that it would take much practice, and patience, but the luminous quality of the paint makes it appealing to do.  The only drawback would be mixing fresh egg medium, and mixing the paint each painting session.  It dries on the palette quickly too... But it is so much prettier than the mat gouache paint.  

Here is my quick little study of marigolds....

Drawing and painting flowers

I spent some time yesterday drawing a pansy, and today I did a poppy and rose.  I first drew with pencil, then lightly painted with watercolor, and finished with some colored pencil.  There are so many flowers blooming right now, and I love studying, and sketching them.

Drawing and Watercolor

rose buds and leaves on 5x7 natural color Stonehenge paper

 I sat outside the other day and practiced drawing and watercoloring a few leaves and flowers....

9x12 Arches hot press w/c paper

Peony bud and leaves, and acorn...  5x7 Stonehenge paper, natural color

(don't know why this pic came through rotated on end, it's the only one I took with my phone, maybe something to do with that)

In the last pic, I'm holding a chive flower and starting to paint in my drawing of it.   It was a lovely day outside and I loved doing these little detailed drawings of the found objects in my backyard.  It gave me a renewed interest in botanical art, and I've been spending time practicing.  I love watercolor, and every so often I come back to try it again.

Pencil drawing on w/c paper

I used a sheet of arches hot press watercolor paper that I had toned with  a wash of gray w/c to do this drawing on, with pencil and white chalk.  It made a very nice surface to draw on.  I added the little vine at the end for fun. 

Easter Lily drawing

A study of my Easter lily, drawn in pencil and white chalk on 9x12 inch  Canson paper,  from a pad of Canson Mi Teintes pastel paper, in gray tones.  This color is "Pearl".

Pencil drawing on 9x12 blue Canson paper

I spent most of the day working on a painting that I'm having alot of trouble with, and I didn't get much done.  So, tonight I spent some time relaxing and drawing, and I'm happy with this little pencil drawing of a little blue bottle, pear and bananas.  Maybe I'll try to do a painting of this next chance I get. 

More figure drawing...

This is one of my drawings from today's figure drawing class.  It was an hour pose with a break after 30 minutes.  I've been experimenting with different drawing media, I started this with graphite sticks, switched to charcoal and finished with pencil.  It is on 18 x 24 white drawing paper. 

Figure Drawing Class

A few warm up gesture drawings, 1 min poses, and a longer 30 min pose.

Both on 18x24 newsprint.

This class has been a lot of fun 

.. and more gourds...

I first drew this with a dip pen and black ink, then water colored it in.  I wanted to try a pad of "Illustration" paper by Canson.  It worked out pretty good with the ink and watercolor.

This drawing is with pen and ink, on Canson "Classic Cream" Drawing paper.  9x12 inch pad.

Gourds drawing

Gourds, a cloth and an acorn...    Graphite pencil drawing on Canson "Classic Cream" Drawing paper

More Gourds...

This pad of drawing paper is Canson "Classic Cream",  the charcoal pencil works very nicely on it, and also pastels!

Another gourd drawing...

Another drawing of my little gourds, this one is graphite, and white charcoal on Ingres paper.  I think I will wind up doing a painting of one of these drawings.

More gourd drawings...

I made a little change to the one above,  and added the acorn.  I thought it made a nice addition to the composition.
And.. I colored in my other drawing (below) with pastels...

Pastel on Canson paper

I think it might be nice to mat and frame some of these.

Little Gourds

It's that time of year!  I bought a few of these colorful little gourds to draw and paint.  I love their shapes and colors.  

I did this drawing with charcoal pencil, and white chalk on light gray colored Canson Ingres paper.