Hertford

 Charcoal, 1 hr

 

Oil, 2hrs

 

Had a brilliant day with a new model, Amanda, who was young and buzzing with energy and quite delightful!

 

We had two 15min and half a dozen 30sec warm ups, which are a total disgrace and not for public scrutiny. I was happy enough with these two pieces, although, do you notice that I have concentrated on the head again? And she had a stunning figure....didn't we all at her age?

HAS

HAS Life

Started badly with the quick poses. I really want to put her head and boob in the right places!

Didn't get better here! This model had a pixie face with sticky out ears set way back on her head and huge eyes, which I couldn't get in a few minutes.

Longer pose, and getting better.

Love this one. Getting the hang of it.

What can I say? Maybe I shall get back and right the wrongs in this one. Still, I had a brilliant day, as usual, despite the lack of masterpieces.

Hertford Art Society

Started very clumsily, but improved as the morning progressed I think. I really like the last one. These are all sepia ink, used with a brush.

The afternoon was spent concentrating on the head study, in oils. Difficult perspective and  thoroughly engrossing. Another enjoyable day.

Hertford Art Society Life Session

A good day, but evidently lacking energy!

Sing and Dance 16" x 20" Oil WIP

I am so excited! I have found a kindred spirit here in Norfolk. I had given up with the life drawing and turned my hand to still life, coastal scenes and folk with clothes on, as there seemed to be a bit of a nudge-nudge, wink-wink attitude to nudity.

I was browsing the King's Lynn Arts Centre and was delighted to see an upcoming exhibition in November, celebrating the human form. Further investigation revealed a blog, Two Naked, charting progress leading up to the exhibition. Long story short, I left a comment and am now in contact with Peter Kavanagh, who has obligingly suggested that we meet up and compare notes.

Peter teaches and I was cheeky and asked his opinion of my work.

'I'm very impressed with the energy and freedom in your painting. There's an honesty in your work that's still struggling to get out and sing and dance! I hope you don't mind but I'm going to risk a suggestion for you... I think you work too much from photographs... I do like your work and can see you have bags of talent, which I think will respond even better to real life observation.'

I do agree about working too much from photos, it is very stifling. So now we come to this painting. Although I plan to get to HAS on Saturday, I couldn't wait, so took off my clothes and got stuck in! It was cold! It was difficult with the curtains shut! And vanity wanted me to shave off a few inches here and there! Oh but I did enjoy it, so I will very likely finish it!

'

 

HAS Life Drawing

Another brilliant day, although, again too much time chatting! Same format, a couple of quick sketches and then a long pose for the afternoon. I quite like the oil, I might even finish it! Thanks to Kate and Sarah.....wonderful models.

Sorry to say that there will be no session next month. It has been cancelled because they are laying new flooring in the hall.

Hertford Art Society

Hertford Art Society Life Drawing

I am astonished, again, at how little I have to show for working very hard all day! I know I felt absolutely exhausted when I got home.

Nevertheless, I had a terrific day and enjoyed it thoroughly. There are a couple of differences to usual. The quick warm-up sketches I did with pen, instead of charcoal, because I would spend time erasing, and wanted to eliminate that. I feel happy with the sketches so will do that again.

The first oil was an idea blatantly stolen from fellow HAS lifer, June, who had zoomed in on the transition from one body to the other, for the sketches. I was impressed, so I did that too and I like the resulting painting. Thanks June, for that, and for tracking down my missing easel, returning it and furnishing it with my name!

Good news is that there will be an all day life drawing session on 12th March close to where I live. How can I not go, so watch this space for extra helpings!

HAS Feb 2010 Life Drawing

Nice pose, pity she is all out of proportion! I shall likely work on this, or a new one.

I like this one.

This is about the third time I have been presented with this view, and my interpretation gets worse with practice!

Don't know why I decapitated her, but I like this.

A bit clumsy with the charcoal here.

I like this, drawn with Ken Paines' teaching in mind.

My favourite drawing of the day, her rosebud lips have an irrisistible appeal.

Fabulous day, although I'm not sure I accomplished a great deal. The main drawback was because I took acrylics. I have been working in oils for the past year, which are completely different, and found I had lost the know how with acrylics for figurative work.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the day, with fantastic models, and wonderful friends to chit chat with.