Leslie

This was a one day study.  Cynthia Grilli did a demo of Leslie and then we all dug in and had some fun.

Far Far Away

10x8, oil, $120.

Such a lovely girl.

Still

12x6, pastel

Being still for a model session always amazes me as I can't stay still for 30 minutes and that includes sleeping.  One thing that does happen to the model is the lack of expression.  To sit for a period of time takes it right out and I find the model is far far away in thought and separate from there bodies in a way.  The goal along with being a good model is to stay as still as possible.  I just find we lose just a little of that spark or spirit that as an artist I hope to bring to my painting.  Can't have it all.

FRENCH WITH A LATIN TWIST

6x6, oil, $85.00

by Dori Dewberry

There is nothing like the strength of the male bone structure.  So angular and beautiful.  Wonderful planes of light and shadow.  I enjoyed playing in the warmth of the shadows and laying in the light on the upper back.  He twisted his hair up so that some of the painters could see his back.  At some point in the day we asked about his background.  He told us he was French with a little bit of Latin.  So that is how the title came to me.

I enjoy painting from life so very much, that the idea of painting from photos just bores me.  At the same time I realize it is necessary.  There is such a meditative state that calms my body like nothing else can.

"DENISE IN GREEN"

9x12, pastel, $200.00

Oh it feels good to get back to pastels.  This actually has an under painting in oil, which was fun to incorporate since I love oils.  This was done today at a model session and Denise was our beautiful model. I just returned from Portland where i attended a color intensive workshop with Kitty Wallis.  It was good stuff.  All the things I have been avoiding all rolled up into 4 days.  Well not everything.  Lots of color value and studies with a hugh push into the world of expressive color.  It was great and exhausting.  The last day we took it a step farther in that we learned how to mix and make our own pastels.  I loved it.  Wonderful, wonderful color...I am totally in love and want to make more.  There is nothing like mixing a color and then creating values of it in chunks of pastels that I can hold and covet in my hands.  Anyway it was a great workshop.  Oh and I love Portland Oregon!!!  I was ga ga over the atmospheric color and the colors in the changing of the seasons.  Sure makes So Cal look like a desert.

I will post some of the things I did there over the next few days.   It is still sinking in as it applies to pastels and how it will effect my work in oil.  So fun to get new info.  I think I was starving.

Portrait and Figure Studies in Charcoal

I have been taking a Life Drawing class at Saddleback College with Cynthia Grilli this semester. We work in vine charcoal which is a very movable medium. Working with a chamois, kneaded eraser, stump and whatever else we can to push and pull the charcoal. I'm actually enjoying it and love the subtractive qualities of charcoal the best. It is very forgiving. For the most part I am working on values. I am a bit shy when it comes to pulling values in strong contrast and yet am totally attacked to that quality in artwork. So these are a few of the things I have been working on inside and outside of class. Some complete and some just at a structural start.

I am finding that I want to draw all the time. I am hoping to relate this to my painting. I have to do a self portrait for the final... Now that is another story.

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All About the Leggings 10x8 oil

Yesterday was a fun day back painting the model. I have been working on the figure for the past several weeks in charcoal. Working in paint I was still able to apply the basic understructure and build. Normally I would crop the composition, but I really wanted to get the figure and the enviroment on the canvas. While not emotionally stimulating, I acomplished getting all the information down and with relationship to her enviroment. So I am happy.

Sketch 24x18 charcoal and pastel

Well, my school year has started, along with a number of home repair projects and sending kids off and moving kids in, I have had little time to paint. I am though, taking a life drawing class with Cynthia Grilli at Saddleback College which has been wonderful. I just love the trance of life drawing, getting in the zone. And I am learning more about anatomy.

This was a sketch I did with a model outside class. I wish I had not added the color. It is harsh and very unfinished. I seem to be experimenting.

The Hunt 6x6 oil

It is a process when I paint.  Taking out the paint and setting up is part of it.  I find the other part is settling the mind and deciding what I want to accomplish in the time i have.  

Today I woke with a headache and wanted to paint, but could not clear my head.  I looked through photos and looked outside.  Just wanted to paint without a total plan.  Found this little photo of a grand nephew from the Easter egg hunt at my house this year and like the shadows.  So I started the process pretty lacking in energy.  It is a sketch for the most part.  I want to study the figure in the landscape more.  So this is a bit rough, but a start in a direction of study.
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Model Study Number Two 2 8x6 oil

So this is "Number Two".  

Model Study 6x6 oil

Today was the last figure painting group at Judy Schroeder's Gallery in Old Town Orange.  It has been fun having a larger group and getting to try new eating experiences for lunch.  I have enjoyed my time at her gallery and am ever so thankful for the opportunity.  

Painting with other painters as opposed to solo in a studio is a much different experience.  I enjoy both actually.  Love the chance to see how others work and the conversation that ensues.  Artists as a whole are some of the most generous people I know.  Well at least this wonderful group of artist.  I would say they are kind from the heart, loving, generous and ever so grateful for the opportunity to do what they love.  So thanks to all of you!

Solo is good too.  It is deep meditation for me.  Hours can pass, without ever knowing, until the sun goes down.  It is very peaceful.  I totally enjoy this level of peace and thought and living in the moment.  Those times are cherished in this crazy busy world and again I am grateful for the chance to explore them with my paint brush in hand.

This was the first of two small paintings done today.    

Susan #1 10x8 oil

I do love drawing and painting the figure.  It is very focusing and relaxing.  It also is an intense day of seeing and interpreting.

This was the first of the day.  I worked on this one for 20 minutes.  I do like these faster poses to warm up.  I am working on getting faster so not to fuss and overwork and just see what I can capture in a short time.  To walk into a long pose, when I have not painted for a while, can be a day of frustration.  I liked this much better and would love to do shorter wipe off paintings.  

Susan #2 10x8 oil

This was number two of the day.  It was a 30 minute.  I struggled with the length proportions, as you can see with the feet not really being anywhere.  Strange foreshortening going on as she was leaning back on the chair.  I need to trust myself.  I laid in the under struction and fought with it only to be off in the end.  

Susan #3 10x8 oil

This was the last of the day.  The color just is not coming across.  Anyway this was probably an hour and a half to two.  I needed to work out many things and wiped off the canvas a few times. It was a good experience.

Seated Jana 10x8 oil

This was a model day.  I worked on a slick gesso panel.  I had lots of fun with color and brush strokes.

Susan in Paint 8x6 oil

I did this one after the one below.  At this point in the day I was really mixing different colors and just enjoying the process.  I was trying out a new palette of colors that Kim English uses.  Actually not exactly, but close.  I have so many colors I have worked with over the years.  I am always glad to try a new palette because chances are I have the color or something close in my box.  I typically work with 5 or 6 colors tops.  Today I had 14, I think.  I can't put that much paint out and not play with it. 

Sitting Susan 8x6 oil

Today was lots of fun.  I did a model session with Susan.  She is a wonderful model.  I worked a little more painterly and just had a great time mixing and playing in paint.  

Patty 12x9 oil

This was an afternoon model session.  It is more a study than anything finished, but I was happy to get her down on canvas as quickly and loosely as I did.  If I had all morning and afternoon I might have tightened up.

Patty 16x12 oil

This was a model day a few weeks ago that I did not finish.  I even wiped off the face.  I finally thought I needed practice and needed to finish her or paint over her.  I worked from a photo Patty allowed me to take of her.  It is not a good likeness.  I will keep up with the figure work and hopefully I will get better.