Head sketch 4-08-08
Charcoal on newsprint
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Luscombe sketch
Luscombe sketch
Charcoal on newsprint
The Luscombe Silvaire was a popular light plane in the decade following WWII.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Head quick sketches
Head quick sketches
Charcoal on newsprint
These very small heads were done with a time limit. I don't remember, but they were probably two minutes each. The main purpose of a quick sketch is to practice making starts -- to go from blank paper to a decent start. The start of a drawing is the most critical part, where the main dimensions are established. After that, you are working with smaller shapes, and they are easier to position because you already have major reference points. Another purpose for quick sketches is to practice a particular "spacing and placing" technique, such as vertical and horizontal alignments. You want to improve the accuracy of your drawings and also develop fluency. Fluency (as in language) is the ability to see shape relationships easily and place them on paper or canvas without struggle. It's a product of mileage (volume - practice - experience).
The main problem I have with quick sketches is my tendency to want to speed up and get as much done as possible. So I often get sloppy. It's better to do less and do it more accurately. You develop more skill that way. Perfect practice...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Head sketch 3-20-08
Head sketch after Loomis 3-20-08
Charcoal on newsprint
I often draw heads and figures on the same page on my sketch pads (and sometimes airplanes and basic forms - cubes, cylinders, and spheres), so they have an eclectic appearance. "Eclectic" sounds better than "unorganized". I decided not to crop out the figure quick sketch on the right.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Head study 3-9-08
Head study after Fred Fixler
Charcoal on newsprint
Who is Fred Fixler?
A retired illustrator, classically trained in the late 1940's at the Art Students' League in New York City. He founded the Brandes art school in Los Angeles in the 1980's. A great artist. The school's name was later changed to California Art Institute, and it is located in Westlake Village (www.calartinst.com). I studied under one of Fred's students, Glen Orbik, who has been teaching at CAI for more than twelve years. (Take a look at Glen's website -- www.orbikart.com) This drawing is a copy of one of Fred's drawings; a study exercise.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Reference photo
Reference photo
We wanted to improve on the photo by adding a few things: color in the sky, a pool of water instead of a plain courtyard, a walkway across the pool, a planter with palm plant on the far side of the courtyard, and curtains in the window behind the plant. Stay tuned to see the final painting.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Painting in progress -- study
Painting in progress -- study
Oil on Linen
Approximately 10.5 X 12.5 inches
This is a study in preparation for a finished painting (my current project). It is actually a finished section taken out of the middle of the picture, and allows me to study and problem-solve, at the actual size of the final painting rather than a smaller sketch. I don't always take this step, but sometimes it's the best way to go, if I'm testing ideas. I'll post the photo I'm using for my reference tomorrow.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Painting in progress 3-2-08
Painting in progress -- sketch 3-2-08
Oil on illustration board
8 X 12 inches
This is a sketch for a commissioned painting I'm working on.
Painting in progress 3-2-08
Oil on linen
16 X 24 inches
This is the canvas in its current state.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Head study 2-29-08
Head study after Loomis 2-29-08
Charcoal on newsprint
This is a copy of a drawing by Andrew Loomis, an American illustrator from the last century (1892 - 1959). Students were encouraged to do half of their practice drawings by copying good artists' work, as part of the learning process. Loomis was miles ahead of me, so there is quite a difference between his drawings and my own drawings done from photos or life. I need to keep studying and drawing from Loomis and other world class artists.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Head sketch 2-22-08
Head sketch 2-22-08
Charcoal on newsprint
I want to remind you that these recent drawings are "fillers" -- not new drawings. I'm busy and not able to do new work right now, and I post old sketches so I won't forget how to post on the blog. You never know; it could happen. Use it or lose it.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
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