quick poses watercolor #256

10 minutes on the computer today!!! that's my big event for the day and I drew a picture of my feet with my 2 year old grandson....

20 minute pose 8x10 oil #138

To paint at this angle I sat directly in front of the model on the floor. I wanted to get the most intense foreshortening that I could with the pose. I am overall happy with the results, although I did not spend much time on the arms, hands or face, and I think it would be better if I had worked on those areas a bit more. Her right arm looks a bit like Popeye's! It is all about learning, finding out what I do well, working on what I don't do well and finding meaning in the process.

3 Minute Pose 8"x10" oil #135

It is what the title says. Short and sweet.

Dreamer 8x10" oil #126

The reason I love to do these very quick figurative oil studies is that the model only poses for 5-20 minutes and for me to capture any kind of realistic image, I have to work really fast and not think. When I think too much I start to fuss at my painting and I inevitably create problems with the painting. There is definitely a reason for doing longer poses, even poses that are repeated over several days, but I don't have that kind of opportunity right now, so I am trying to get as much as I can from this exercise. The better I get at capturing a position, the body weight, the proportions, and the values, the better I will be in getting spontaneous poses on the street. There is a terrible glare on this. I tried to rephotograph it, but it didn't come out any better. I will try again later in better light.

On Second Thought 8x8" oil #125

"This is no difference for any creative individual whether it's a painter finding his way to the easel or a medical researcher returning to the laboratory. The routine is as much a part of the creative process as the lightening bolt of inspiration (perhaps more). And it is available to everyone. If creativity is a habit, then the best creativity is a result of good work habits. They are the nuts and bolts of dreaming." Twyla Tharp from 'The Creative Habit'

Open Heart Pose 8x10" oil #117

Makes the blood rush to my head! This was a tricky perspective with her lying on the floor, her hand almost at my feet, and her legs propped up. It is an exercise in getting all the rolling forms, but I wonder if it would read better if I had forshortened her lower legs even more. This was the angle I was seeing it at, but I am learning that sometimes you have to make changes for it to read in a logical way. It is all part of the journey (that is probably my mantra for life). I painted this in 15 minutes on red mat board. I like these quick exercises I do on Thursday evenings. Today I will get back to painting packages and I want to play with some etchings.

Antonia 8x10" oil

#112 On Thursday nights I go to the Chaffee Art Center and they host a live model. We draw and I always try to do a few quick oil studies. I use only burnt umber, white, a bit of cad. red, and some black because those are the only paints they have! I paint on mat board, whatever colors are available, and use a really cheap and overused bristle brush. It is not the ideal situation, but I am so grateful to be able to paint from a model, that I just see it as a time to learn and play. I live in Vermont and they often say that skiers in VT are really good because they often have to learn on slopes with lots of ice. That is how I look at this.

She Has Such a Pretty Face 8x10" oil

This is a quick oil study in broad values. The title is a phrase I always hear people use when they are referring to a chubby girl. I painted this at a model session at the Chaffee Art Center and when someone saw my painting that is what they said.I am grateful to have the opportunity to do this once a week because it is such a good exercise. This model was really good and was able to strike interesting poses and hold them. Mostly I drew in charcoal but I painted this at the very end. #102

Seated Nude - quick study 8x10" oil

Another quick study of a model. I really like the effects of just putting it down...trying to get the broad value changes. Not a masterpiece, but it was fun. #81

Quick Study - Nude 8x10 oil

Had the opportunity to attend a life drawing session, which I don't often get to do. I did several very quick studies in oil. #80