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.