Fifteen minute figure study. Charcoal pencil on toned recycling paper. 35 x 50 cm

I spent the afternoon out in the field working on a new landscape watercolor, so I was really tired but also artistically lubricated by the time the weekly figure drawing session rolled around. Nice. Thus, after a few warm ups – and getting a more or less intelligible figure down on paper – I felt inspired and ready to jump back into laying in the highlights quickly (the way I used to do) but now also (at least hopefully) more accurately.

Fifteen minute figure study. Charcoal pencil on toned recycling paper. 35 x 50 cm

The three minute poses were still too incomplete – I’m still too slow. That will come, but for now, nothing to see here. I’m far more interested in getting accuracy first.

Fifteen minute figure study. Charcoal pencil on toned recycling paper. 35 x 50 cm

Anyway, our model tonight was a fellow we had about three weeks ago. His body is remarkably easy to read. I found myself joyfully discovering, first and foremost, the thoracic arch and the pelvis, the two (fixed) bookends upon which the torso rotates. That’s basic Bridgman – and I really appreciate it. From those landmarks the rest can follow: abdomen, external oblique (the “love handles” – not that this fine fellow had much to grab), clavicle, acromium process – and all that’s just the torso. The limbs extend from there. Here then are some keepers from the evening.