Two fifteen minute poses ended up being keepers from this evening. I like how there is a different chromatic feel reflected in the choice of different papers and the subsequent development of the image.
Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
And a four minute one as well. 30.5 x 40.6 cm. or 12 x 16 in
Ina, from Peru or Bolivia (I’m not sure which). She has modeled for us on a number of occasions – when she is in town – because she lives on a boat with her little family, traveling around the world. A very nice lady but not the most inspired model, so I’m glad when a few drawings from the evening make the cut. The highlighted study on the right is actually a good resemblance.
Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on toned pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
Below, a few of the four minute poses. Conté crayon on tinted sketch paper. 35 x 50 cm. or 13 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
Soeren, one of my favorite models. A tall, lanky guy whose body can never fully fill the page no matter how big the paper may be. The foreshortening in the reclining pose, below left, was particularly challenging so I’m especially happy with the way the final white highlights helped to define his splayed out body.
These three sepia toned drawings (plus one gray) are 15 minute studies. Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
Two of the four minute poses below. 35 x 50 cm. or 13 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
The model tonight was a young girl who (obviously) does a lot of yoga. These kinds of models are quite supple and with a good feeling for interesting poses. Embodied awareness. I’m especially happy with the highlights of the featured image here. I used light yellow, light peach and sepia pastels to contrast with the dark brown of the conté crayon
Below are some 15 minute poses on tinted paper with conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on toned paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
The four minute poses tonight went quickly and well. It’s always delightful to have a good model. 35 x 50 cm. or 13 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
I find there is something disconcerting about a nude model, who decides to retain their glasses. When drawing, include them or not? If so, the hard lines and hard reflections from the glasses create an element where previously there were only organically flowing shapes. But still, I think the most successful drawing of the evening was the featured one here where the bright white of the glasses’ reflection forms the strongest highlight.
Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on toned pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
Here below two of the four minute quick poses. Conté crayon on sketch paper. 35 x 50 cm. or 13 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
There are those rare occasions when a figure drawing session yields a number of drawings that deserve the spotlight. This evening there were three 15 minute poses that turned out rather well. I think the difference is that Bruno (our host) instructed the model (or maybe the model suggested it?) to bring a costume and pose with it, or even to pose semi dressed, in addition to fully undressed. Somehow I always find a partially dressed model more exciting/evocative. Chromatically, too, the situation offers more hues to introduce into the drawing – or not. Because with art it isn’t what you say that makes the difference – it’s what you don’t say.
Three fifteen minute poses. Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
A few of the four minute poses. Pastel chalk on toned drawing paper.
An unusually fecund evening. I think the model reminded me of an old long lost lover.
Five 15 minute poses, one above and four below. Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on tinted pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
Five four minute studies. 35 x 50 cm. or 13 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
One of the more frequent models, Soeren. A very tall, lanky fellow with big hands and feet. It is often difficult to get all of his splayed out body on one piece of paper. I like the highlighted one because of the accent of a warm conté crayon for the face and feet.
Three fifteen minute poses, one above and two below. Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on tinted pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
So glad to be back in Belgium and to return to Bruno’s atelier for figure drawing! I usually highlight one of the 15 minute poses however this evening, the 4 minutes poses were more evocative.
Here below is the one 15 minute pose from the evening. Conté pencil highlighted with conté crayon on tinted pastel paper. 32.5 x 50 cm or 13 x 19 3/4 in.
Here are three of the four minute poses. 35 x 50 cm. or 13 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
Second drawing session in San Clemente, California. Though there was no instructor, there was a supervisor who managed the session. He liked to play music, which I always find helpful for expansion. Interestingly though, here in California he liked to play French chanson, while in Belgium where I usually draw, Bruno usually likes to play American country-western jazz. In both cases, the music supports a subtle embrace of otherness – yet in both cases, a different otherness. Nice, you wouldn’t notice it – unless you noticed it.
I found the benches in the SC Art Supply a little hard. So it was a challenging and not a hugely successful session. But here are a few from the afternoon that made the grade. Conté pencil on tinted pastel paper highlighted with conté crayon. 30.5 x 40.5 cm or 12 x 16 in.
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ellentrezevant 