Algerian Woman Graphite Portrait

Last week it was dreadlocks, the week before it was horn rimmed glasses and this week it is a head scarf! Each week the Reno Portrait Society presents a new and difficult challenge! Our model from Algeria (I am sorry to say I did not catch her name) was serious, subdued and very still. I first tried drawing her in 3/4 view but she had such an interesting profile that after this sketch of about 45 minutes, I moved my position to the other side of the studio.

The next 10 or 15 minutes were spent in quickly doing these two sketches in an effort to get a feeling for the curves of her profile.

This is  the final drawing - taking about 40 minutes. What an interesting model and a productive morning. Now back to the easel.....

A Lesson in Life

Jolene 1 - graphite on newsprint

Jolene 2 in ebony graphite on newsprint

Jolene 3

This morning I arrived just a few minutes late to the portrait session to find the model already posed, the lighting in place and the studio crowded with artists in deep concentration. Tip toeing to the far corner of the room, I found the only place to set up my newsprint tablet. Unfortunately, it was directly behind the studio light focused on the model and the corner itself was very dark with almost no light to draw by. Complain, complain, complain - I learned a lesson - get to the studio early on Wednesday mornings! I like to do several sketches although most of the other artists work on one sketch the entire time. I was unable to move my easel more than a few inches so ended up with 3 very similar sketches. I will get myself moving earlier next Wednesday morning in hopes of a better spot!

Also working on a British steeplechase scene - oil on linen panel 18 x 24.

Tuesday Portrait Drawing

Alejandro / graphite and white chalk on heavy brown paper / approximately 14x17

Alejandro / ebony graphite on newsprint / approximately 15x14

Alejandro, with his heavy five o'clock shadow, was our model for portrait session this morning. The studio has concrete floors and it was cold! Outside at 9 am the temperature was 16 degrees F and it wasn't much warmer inside. A space heater was brought in and finally the room warmed up a bit and we could draw without shivering! The top portrait was done a little smaller than I usually work as I wanted to include the models hands. I love drawing hands! He was straddling a chair (which I eliminated from my drawing) and resting his arm across the back, He was lit from the back and above so I didn't have much opportunity to use the white chalk for highlights on the brown paper but did manage to catch a few. The second sketch was done in about 15 or 20 minutes and my goal was to get a likeness in that short time. I like the looseness and scribbly character of the second drawing.