Figure Study # 9

This is from a another 2 1/2 hour open studio session.  I think my drawing realistic practice is already starting to help.  This painting actually looked like the model. 

 

Oil on paper,  8" x 10"

I'm almost done with a second portrait drawing.  Being larger and so detailed they take me about a week to complete.  Hopefully in a day or two I can post it.

Going Back To Basics

I've been struggling with my painting lately and I think my troubles are coming from my rendering skills.  So I'm going back to the basics. I don't necessarily want to paint realistic portraits but I do want to capture my subjects likeness. I feel like I really need to practice seeing and then interpreting everything correctly to give myself a good strong foundation of skills to then apply to my paintings and hopefully see some improvement.  All that said, this is my first drawing with those intentions:

13" x 8 1/2", graphite on paper

 And this is a painting I did last week during an open life drawing session with a 2 1/2 hour pose:

8" x 10", oil on primed paper

Portrait Study- Bani

6" x 6", oil on primed mat board

Figure Studies

Figure Study #6

10" x 8",  oil on primed paper

This is from today's life drawing session, another  2 1/2 hour pose. It's very unfinished, but if I rush (as I have done in the past) it turns into a mess. I'm hoping with continual practice I'll be able to get further each time.  Painting from life is so different than from photos and for me, so much more satisfying, but a live model isn't always possible.  So, below is one did a few days ago using a photo reference. I timed it, pretending I was attending a life drawing session, for more practice, trying to be more decisive and efficient. Even though I finished it more (cheated a little, bit over three hours) I think the above one has more life.

Figure Study #4

10" x 8 ", oil on primed paper

Figure Study #5 : Model Reclining

8" x 10", watercolor & graphite on paper

This is from another open studio life drawing session---30 minute poses.  This particular session doesn't allow oil paints. I started  drawing the figure with just charcoal and pencil and then, for the last pose I pulled out my little watercolor set---that was a lot of fun. The next time I think I'll do them all with color.