The Beautiful Thea

                I have been so fortunate to have such beautiful models this summer!  My neighbor's daughter, Thea, agreed to pose for me.  I asked her because she has such distinct, gorgeous features.  She sat (completely still, I might add) for 2 hours.  I photographed her, then I fixed some of the proportions.  I want to transfer the drawing onto a canvas, and paint her.  I still have to work on getting the eyes correct, but here she is thus far:

QAA: Red Chalk

Experiment using red chalk:

Becca: An Exercise in Futility

                                    The past few months I have been drawing more than painting.  The purpose of this, obviously, is to develop my drawing skills to make painting easier.  I feel like I can draw better than average now, so I decided to attempt a portrait again.  I haven't worked on a portrait from beginning to end since last summer/fall, when I completed Magistra Lanzi.    My mother-in-law (kind of), Becca, did me the favor of sitting for me for two sessions (each almost 2 hours), and then I took a photo to finish. I have not yet finished this painting, but I need it to dry for a few weeks so that I can sand some of the clumps down, and rework some areas.

                                     Although I feel this portrait is better than the last one (the one from last summer), the technique is still nowhere close to what I hope to accomplish eventually.  I did not handle the paint well, and I have to experiment with various palettes for skin tones.  I always seem to make my people too red.  At one point, however, Becca's skin tone was so cold, she looked like a corpse.  Becca is far prettier than this portrait.  I hope she will forgive me for posting it!
                                    What I am pleased with is that I only spent about 5 days on this rather than 4 months as last year.  I did this without the aid of an instructor, though my mother gave me some pointers.  Overall, I have definitely improved my drawing; now I just need to work with paint!

Construction Phase at John's

          This evening we worked on constructing the head with lines.  John emphasized placement of features at this first of three phases (the mapping phrase).

          My main problem with this drawing was that I failed to make the tear duct look as if it is behind the eyeball on the model's left eye.

QAA Figure Study

            Hour and a half study of one of my favorite models:

              If I spent a little more time, I would have softened the shadows and added more highlights.  The study was rendered on toned paper with charcoal.  I achieved a good likeness of the model, even though I was more concerned with the proportions of the figure.
              I also learned tonight about the difference between gum turpentine and resin turpentine.  I had no idea there was a difference!  My alchemist, artist friend explained why it is better to use gum.  When I start painting more, I'll pick some up at a hardware store....

Stunning Model, And I Blew It!

            My former student, the gorgeous Leyla, was gracious enough to pose for me today in John's studio.  I didn't measure at all, and that was stupid.  It was a good study of forms, but somehow I managed to mangle the image of the model.  We both concurred that the image doesn't resemble her in the least.  She is far prettier.  I started with charcoal, but switched over to burnt sienna oil paint too quickly.  Leyla sat for almost 2 hours, and then I did some touch-ups from a photograph.  John would be disappointed to know that I work from a photo.  Actually, not even a photo-an image on my iPhone!  I had to make her more human looking, though!  I also blew the composition.  Her head is a bit small for the board, and I know better than to place the model dead center.  Here is the result:

                 I would like to work on this portrait more, though.  I keep having to remind myself that ARA spends 90 hours on a figure pose, and Sargent would spend 3 months with a family before beginning a portrait.  

Frater Marinae

              Last night at John's I drew Nick.  I achieved a likeness and decent proportions.  I always feel I am more successful with a profile, perhaps because I do not have to balance eyes.  Adele indicated that my theory isn't necessarily true, since one is working with less information with a profile. Before drawing, we worked on constructing a head out of clay.  Great way to understand the construct of the head more fully.  Building the shapes and positioning them appropriately was useful.  In addition, John lectured about lines and Holbein.   I limited the amount of shading in this study.  John kept this sketch, since I always destroy them.  He decided it was good enough to keep.