Sketchbook Portrait-A Hunter

watercolor, ink, pencil, & charcoal

Sketchbook Portrait-A Novelist

watercolor, graphite pencil, & charcoal

In this study I was really focusing on rendering the different planes of his face, imagining the light wrapping around his head, trying to think of the drawing more as sculpture. I need lots of practice. I'm most happy with the eye on the right side, feeling like my drawing of eyes is getting better.

I drew him again below. This time I experimented with a quill pen dipped in ink to make the bold lines. Then I diluted the ink with water and with a soft brush, painted the grays.

watercolor, ink & charcoal

Sketchbook Portrait- The Banker

watercolor & charcoal

This image was inspired by a photograph by Edward Steichen.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Texan

watercolor, graphite pencil, & charcoal

This face was inspired by a magazine add for San Antonio, Texas.   What drew me to him was the hat, the direction of his head, and the sunlight on his face.  In the add, his image is small, his head no larger than a dime.  I don't see well close up and I prefer to draw without my reading glasses, so I really couldn't see him that well which helped me not fuss over detail and see more of the predominant values.  My favorite part of the image is the reflection of the light off his skin onto the underneath of the brim of his hat, it's really subtle and beautiful in the color photo.

Karen's Vessel

6"x 6" oil on panel

I just attended my first painting workshop given by the artist Qiang Huang.   This is the painting I did on the last day.  I did two others but didn't finish them. I took a photo of the set-ups so I may go back to one or to both or not.  It was a different experience to paint objects I normally wouldn't AND in a room full of people.  I felt very nervous. I've been slowly learning how to paint through reading books (and practicing lots), so seeing an artist paint in person was inspiring and very educational. Qiang is a good teacher---patient, knowledgable, personable and articulate. During student painting time, he made several rounds of the room stopping many times to each of us to give critiques and helpful advice. I came away from the workshop feeling full and inspired.

Sketchbook Portrait- A Painting of the Curator

oil on canvas board, 3 1/2 " x 5"

I couldn't resist doing a painting inspired by this found image.  Unfortunately, I don't know who to credit  for the photo I used as a reference. I normally wouldn't paint something that wasn't my own composition but I was so struck by this photo that I wanted to do more than a sketch with it---I wanted more color than I can get from color pencils.  It's from an article in the April 2011 Smithsonian magazine written by Jamie Katz about John Marciari(the man above).  In 2004, Marciari, while acting as a junior curator at the Yale University's Art Gallery, found in the basement's art storeroom an unsigned early Velazquez painting. You can imagine how exciting that must have been.  I'm afraid my rendition of Marciari doesn't look that much like him, his face should be longer and thinner.  It was great fun to paint, especially his suit and the walls behind him.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Artist

watercolor, graphite pencil, & charcoal

Back to more simple sketches...and still trying to figure out this photo transfer bit...

There hasn't been any time for painting lately.  I like to have at least a three hour block of time to start one. Often that can happen at night but this last week we've had family visiting and I'm just plumb tired by the time the house is quiet.  Hopefully soon though...

Sketchbook Portrait- The Secretary

watercolor, prismacolor pencil, & graphite pencil

I actually did most of this sketch yesterday but finished it today.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Forensic Anthropologist Assistant

watercolor, prismacolor pencil, charcoal, & graphite pencil

Another fascinating occupation.

We had to replace our failing computer and in doing so lost the method I use to use to transfer photos.  I'm not having good results with the new program.  I'll replace this photo when I can figure out how it works.

I replaced the photo but in a very convoluted way---sigh--- I hope I can figure out a better way soon.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Actor

watercolor, charcoal, prismacolor pencil, & graphite pencil

Today is devoted to scouring the house, patching holes in pants and repairing broken things, but I'd rather be painting. Sigh.
Yesterday, we went to a wedding and I took a picture of our friend Brant and used it as a reference for my sketch this morning.  I just realized his one eye is looking off on its own, it doesn't do that, that's my drawing skills! Sorry Brant.  You can't tell from this drawing, but he has this fabulous red, shinny beard.
Among the many things Brant does, he acts in local, independent films and is often cast as a scary character which is funny because he's more like a big teddy bear.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Earthquake Lady

watercolor, prismacolor pencil, charcoal, & graphite pencil

Today I tried and tried to create a block of time in which to paint but the day had other plans for me, but I did do this sketch this morning.  I read this interesting article about the women above who besides being a revered seismologist, she's a mother of two, has a doctorate in geophysics, a B.A. in Chinese language and literature, and she plays the viola de gamba (a Baroque, cello-like instrument)---how interesting and cool is that!

Oil Cloth and Mandarins

6in. x 6in., oil on panel

I painted this today outside in our amazing 78 degree weather! This is the table I do my ceramics on.  The composition is inspired by my friend Katy who does these amazing paintings with bold, bright colors.  I had this idea in mind (with Katy in mind) for awhile now and finally, all came together so I could attempt it. Definitely a challenging painting with the light continually changing and the repeated visit of a curious bee. Since I set it up outside, I had to do it alla prima (all at once) which is always challenging in itself for me.  Looking at it now, I would change some things but I will let it go.  

Untitled

5 in. x 12 1/4 in., oil on panel

Often I'll paint a subject three times. This was the third for this one. The other two I painted where on a square panel. I kept imagining the figure in a longer, spread out space---so I gave it a try. I think it works.
(NFS)

Sketchbook Portrait- The Sociologist

Oh my, I didn't realize until after I posted this that the drawing was so off!  Look at those ears.  He has such a great face, I think I try him again.

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

Metal Flowers

6in. x 6in., oil on panel

Yesterday evening, the postman delivered a new tube of titanium white that I had ordered from Utrecht Art Supply.  When I unscrewed the cap, I was amazed to find it so creamy and smooth, like soft butter---not at all like my old stuff. I couldn't wait to try it today, so I set aside a larger painting I have been working on and did this flower study. What a joy! I have never worked with such a luscious white.

Sketchbook Portrait- He Cooked the Fish

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

This sketch is of the man who cooked the fish (below) that the two fisherman (previous posting) caught.  These three images are based on some photos I had taken in 1999.  The prints I did in 2000, this sketch today. 

monotype-oil based ink on paper,  2000

Sketchbook Portrait- Another Face

watercolor & graphite

This morning's sketch isn't anyone in particular, playing with the reduction method again.  I like the softness that I get from using the gum eraser.

And here's another monotype that I found from 2000 where I wiped off more of the ink rather than paint it on to make the images.  I'm enjoying revisiting these prints that I haven't seen in ages and actually, showing them for the first time.  This one I had titled The Seliger. It might be hard to tell, but it's two fisherman. Tomorrow, I'll post the fish they caught.

monotype---oil based  ink on paper---2000

Sketchbook Portrait- Just a Face

watercolor & graphite

I've been a bit sick the last couple days which has left me with little energy to draw or paint. I did do this small sketch today.  It's not of anyone in particular. I was playing with trying something different by using just one pencil and an eraser. Instead of drawing a face and shading it in, I did a rectangle of solid graphite and then with a gum eraser began erasing where I imagined light would hit, sort of working backwards. I made up the face as I saw it emerge, if that makes sense.
Many years ago when I was doing lots of printmaking, I created a series of monotype portraits where I painted or rolled ink on my printing plate and then, with a rag, would wipe portions of it away leaving what was needed to define the face.  I hadn't thought about them in years until today when using the eraser, kind of a similar technique  I found one and thought I'd share it. I think it's from 2000, twelve years ago! I like working this way, I like the surprises.

monotype--- oil based ink on paper---2000

Cigarbox Set-Up

I made two attempts at painting a bell pepper still life today but it wasn't working out---just one of those days.  We ate it tonight, so no more pepper. 

So instead of a painting,  thought I would post a photo of my new cigar box easel sitting at the dining room table.  The palette is glass and I love it. You can lift it off by that right hand corner space, underneath are my paints.  Even though I ended up wiping off my paintings it was still fun and I think this set up will work nicely. 

Sketchbook Portrait- A Man With Many Stories

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

I went to the library this morning and challenged myself  to a search for a face and a fast sketch.  I found this man but started reading the article and almost ran out of time to draw. I think the portrait came out a bit awkward but I do like some of the lines that I did the quickest and didn't fuss over.  My aim is to reach a level where I am accurately catching that certain something about someone with lines that have a lively feel to them.  Practice, practice, practice.

I finished the cigar box! Can't wait to try it out, hopefully tomorrow, but certainly Thursday.

Sketchbook Portrait- A Man Seeking Justice

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

Still working on the cigar box easel, hoping I can finish it tomorrow.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Historian

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

Today I was working on converting a cigar box into a small tabletop easel. I was inspired to do so by the many artist out there that have already done this.   It's great fun and I think it will work nicely.  I'm hoping it will help contain my spread when I'm working at the dining room table.  It's the spot right where I eat every day that has the most lovely light. I cannot resist painting there; perhaps the little box will make it less obtrusive.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Yuba Maker

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

Breakfast with Cow

6 in. x 6 in., oil on panel
SOLD
My breakfast still life is in response to a challenge by Carol Marine (dailypaintworks.com) to paint your breakfast.  Breakfast is my favorite meal and the morning light is so nice I couldn't resist. In addition to grapefruit and coffee there's usually toast and an egg, but today, just a cow.

Clay Collaboration

5 in. tall, Longhorn Red Clay, leather hard stage

Today I set aside my drawing and painting to take advantage of the perfect Texas winter day to play with clay in the sun with my four year old.  This is what we made together.  He did the bunny with the big smile with just a little help to hollow it.   I made the base which is a shallow bowl (with legs) and a lid to which he helped attach the head.  Down the road we'll fire and glaze it. 

Sketchbook Portrait- The Mayor

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

I played with this one a little bit. First I did a fast contour sketch of my reference and then quickly blocked in the darkest value, mid-value and then white.

watercolor, charcoal, & graphite

Then I re-sketched it and did a more detailed drawing. This one looks much more like him, but I kind of like the first one better---I like that he looks a little grumpy.  My goal with these faces is to eventually feel confident enough to ask a live person to sit for me.  When I get that down, I'd like to try some small, quick paintings which would eventually lead to larger portraits.  I have a portrait project idea in mind but I need to strengthen my skills to pull it off. Anyway, that's the intention with all these portraits but also, they're just plain fun to practice.

Sketchbook Portrait- The Furniture Maker

watercolor, graphite, & charcoal

Persimmon Among Flowers

6 in. x 6 in., oil on panel

I really love painting.  When I start it's hard to stop.  This went tighter than I had originally envisioned; I had so much fun getting immersed in all the subtleties I just kept going further and further.