"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Thursday Life Drawing and a New Painting Start

Ebony graphite on newsprint l4 x 17

Last week I had to attend to some unexpected family matters and was out of town for a while causing me to miss last Thursday's life session. Today is the next to the last class and I was overjoyed to be there. I missed some excitement last week when the model fainted during the sitting pose and fell off the platform! Apparently he was not hurt and even finished the session with the reclining pose! Today went smoothly with no model mishaps, thank goodness. This sitting pose was about 40 minutes and is my favorite of the session. I loved all of the many angles and sinuous curves, the foreshortening of the hand coming forward and the general complexity of the pose.


Ebony graphite on newsprint / 20 minutes
I felt like I was still warming up with this initial 20 minute standing pose. It is similar to one we did a few weeks ago with the model leaning on a pole.

Ebony graphite on newsprint / 30 minutes
I generally position my easel so I can have some fun with foreshortening on the reclining poses. This one was only 30 minutes as we ran out of time.


I also had a chance to begin a new equine painting since returninghome. Its rather large at 30 x 24. Here is the initial oil lay in:


And this is how far I have progressed so far:


As I may not get the opportunity to spent time in my studio tomorrow, I am hoping I can finish it this weekend.

And now I am off to have some fun in catching up with all the blogs I have been following and missed out on last week! I know there is lots of wonderful and inspiring work out there for me to view and comment on!

27 comments:

  1. Your figure sketches are fabulous and so is the new horse painting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. can´t wait to see the finished horse painting. And your sketchings are awsome too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The painting was a wipe off, Maike - sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't!

      Delete
  3. everything is wonderful! i so enjoy your work, it is incredible!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am such a fan of yours, Suzanne - thank you for your support!

      Delete
  4. I love your drawing style. It's got a quirkiness to it that's very energetic, full of motion/emotion. It's nice when there's a model that has a body thatyou can read the skeltal forms. This one reminds me of Toulous Latrec posters. She looks very French. Happy weekend. Happy painting. Just be happy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had the same feeling about this model - her "frenchness" struck me. I had drawn her portrait a while ago and felt the same way then. I love drawing quickly - I have a burning need to capture what needs to be captured quickly and then move on. Thanks for your comment, Linda.

      Delete
  5. It's the angles and impossible shapes the body can make that are fascinating me - both in your work and, at a much lower level, in the work I am venturing into.

    For example there is no way the jockey can stay in the saddle when making the jump you portray, but we know from experience that he/she does. It's incredible isn't it? To paint in that the area that falls between impossible and possible is a real adventure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The human body is endlessly fascinating in its uniqueness, John, making it a challenge to draw and paint and a complete joy. Yes, yes, yes - capturing the impossibility of the action. That is the magic!

      Delete
  6. Belos trabalhos...Espectacular....
    Cumprimentos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just spent some time on your site, Fernando - what a talented photographer you are!

      Delete
  7. Hi Susan.
    I'm happy to see you back at your life drawing. I love your sketches! The style reminds me so much of the French Impressionists.
    Your horse painting will be another dynamic painting, full of motion and passion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love, love, love drawing from life - it energizes me! But, oops, the painting was a wipe off - I just could not make it sing!

      Delete
  8. The foreshortening on your sketches are SO good, Susan...NOT easy !!! and of course,...your horse painting is coming along beautifully!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The foreshortened poses are the ones that challenge me - and I love a good challenge! Thanks, Hilda - I love your recent portrait of the elderly woman!

      Delete
  9. Dynamic viewpoint. I love the movement it creates. Your brushwork perfectly adds to the drama of the moment caught in time.
    The first drawing is a feast for my eyes. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) Thanks, Julie. That pose was wonderful.

      Delete
  10. My you have been busy! Those look like tricky poses but your drawings are amazing as is the horse! Astounding as usual! :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I find that when I love the pose and viewpoint, the drawing flows better!

      Delete
  11. Susan!
    So very happy the model is okay! I always marvel at the length they can hold a pose!
    Your life drawings are so full of life! No pun intent ended! Of course your skill is so very evident but it is your originality and creative spirit that makes these works a joy to look at!
    Your work is motivating me to get back to life drawing. Next class at MFA will be drawing and painting from a model! Thank you for your inspiration!
    Love your paintings in all their stages! So much life, joy, movement, drama, color, and so much more! Always bravo to you!
    Thank you so much Susan for taking time to share your wonderful art with the world!
    Take care buddy!
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I envy you, Michael - life drawing and painting is the ultimate. I wish I could work like the impressionists and hire life models for my paintings - but, alas, I must make do with attending these drawing sessions as much as possible. Have fun at the Boston MFA - I know you will!

      Delete
  12. I never realized that life drawing session can be so full with action and drama.
    I like your drawings so much, so lively and full with character. As all your art, actually. Please keep going. I am inspired by red underpainting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Irina - the painting did not work out. I learned a long time ago that when I begin to struggle, the painting generally gets worse and worse. That was the case with this one and I finally called an end to its suffering!

      Delete
    2. I do agree. "Struggle" does not work at all. Any bad result provides good experience. Foo, banalities.
      I just need to figure out how to combine freedom of painting and request to meet expectations which I keep in my head.

      Delete
    3. Absolutely - that is the key - maintaining the freedom, the boldness, the spontaneity - and achieving a goal. Its a delicate balance and a life time quest.

      Delete

Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!