Paper and Threads

 I thoroughly enjoy my monthly figure drawing sessions - and last evening one of the two models was the lovely pregnant woman from my last session.  The fast, i.e. 2 minute and 5 minute sketches are the most fun for me, probably because I get bored during the 20 minute poses when I think I should add faces and hands.  Feet are rarely an option because I can't see them from where I sit.

2 minute Pose

2 Minute Pose Left and 5 Minute Pose Right

5 Minute Pose

5 Minute Pose Left and 10 Minute Pose Right

I realized that I chose to upload only the drawings that I did of the pregnant model. (there are always 19 total)  She is just glowing - with a beautiful calm face and lovely smile.

Posted by Shirley at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Last night, The Society of Illustrators had two lovely models, one of whom was 6 months pregnant.  It was a joy to sketch them - trying to capture their lovely poses and bodies. 

 A Five Minute Sketch in Graphite

Two twenty minute poses - with watercolor pencil in a new Daler Rowney sketchbook.  I'm not sure yet how much I like it.... 

20 minute

Posted by Shirley at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

As I started 2010, I finally overcame my block in the chapter 2 exercises in the Bert Dodson book Keys to Drawing, and now I'm working on Chapter 3.  This is a great set of exercises re: measurement since I often have trouble fitting figures onto the page. 

Here are two figures drawn by marking the top, the bottom, and then the midpoint.  Then a quick drawing was done and the actual midpoint measured by sighting before working further on the drawing.  This is very different than my usual technique of starting with the head and then hoping that the feet fit on the page!

Posted by Shirley at 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

I went to Figure Drawing last night, in spite of the incredible cold in the City.  We had two models during the entire time, one of whom wore an elaborate head dress with devil horns and 3 large silk flowers.  I'm posting a few of the 19 sketches I made - all were done in graphite in a 9 X 12" sketchbook. 

This is one of 10 two minute sketches: 

These are 3 of the 4 Five Minute Sketches:

This is one of 2 ten minute sketches:

You can probably tell that I was sitting in a place where I couldn't see the models' feet.  But my skills sketching hands and feet are so weak, that is OK with me for the moment.  I'm still concentrating on drawing the basic position - head, shoulders, and hips. 

 There were 3 twenty minute poses - but I don't like my drawings as much as the shorter, less overworked poses.  I just purchased a new figure drawing sketchbook that will take water media and may try to draw with a watercolor pencil and then add water for shading during the 20 minute sketches in the future. 

Posted by Shirley at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Last night was my 4th monthly figure drawing session at The Society for Illustrators in New York City.  It is a 3 hour, drop-in session - no instruction - but there's great live jazz and wine!   I'm posting one of 10 two minute sketches, one of 4 five minute sketches, 1 of 2 ten minute sketches, and 1 of 3 twenty minute sketches.  We had another bald model - and I would think I'd be used to it because I sketch figures from posemaniacs.com.  But I'm not.

I see some of the same people there every time I go.  Since my date is random each month, I have to think that they never miss - and sketch every Tues and every Thurs!  That is dedication!

Posted by Shirley at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)