Delivering

Ok, it wasn't nine months, but the delivery date is Thanksgiving. Probably could have worked on it for another year or so...but here it is.

A & A getting close

Making progress on the form painting. Changed the background orange to a slightly yellower color. Still refining and refining, but it is looking better.

Albert & Adam

Continuing the form painting. Still struggling with the jackets and shirts.

More on Raven

Found this drawing from the spring session at the Ryder Studio. Thought it would be a nice change from my current portrait work.

Graphite pencil and white charcoal on toned paper. 18" x 24"

Starting the form painting - challenge

I've started some of the form painting, chosing the large block areas first. Since the background is going to remain an unmodulated orange, I started there, then the clothes. I still need to work on the finer details of the fabric. Started work on the hair for both, so I could work a bit on the edges with the orange.

Challenge Wash-in

"Wash - in" of painting. A full color work using oil paint thinned with solvent. A bit like a loose watercolor. Albert (left) will have different glasses, so they are not really detailed. Adam chose the background and clothing for the father/son painting.

More on Challenge

"Inked" in over charcoal drawing with diluted oil paint. Then wiped charcoal off.

Continuing with the Challenge

Drawing in charcoal on canvas.

A New Challenge

Started work on a commission of a double portrait. One of the models is an installation artist and has particular ideas about background and what they are wearing. So I will be trying to balance my opinion with his. This is the poster study for the piece. I will be doing some work from photo, but will get the models into the studio at least once a week. Will keep you posted!

Yippee!!!

"Raven".............."Randy".................. "Cherished"

I entered these three pieces into a regional art show put on by the Kate Hoffman Art Association. Saturday, I was thrilled to learn that "Raven" received 3rd place and "Randy", 1st place in the Portrait Category. "Cherished" got 1st in the Still Life Category. AND.... "Randy" was judged Best in Show. Wow! guess those classes paid off!

New Still Life Poster Study

Taking on a real challenge.

Cheap Model

Decided to try a self portrait....can't beat the price. Tried to keep smiling. Obviously couldn't do a 75 hour pose.

This Little Piggy

Finished the still life. Just a few favorite items. Could be "conceptual"....art, music and the funds needed. But it was just some stuff.

Got Distracted

While working on my latest still life, I received some beautiful roses. Couldn't really do a full painting, so I tried a larger poster study.

Still Life Poster Study

We are back in Alpine, TX and I have started a still life painting. Above is the poster study. Anxious to see what happens to my work outside of class.

Portrait Drawings

Thanks Krista for use of your time at the studio. These are the works from the latest drawing class. Wayne, Lori, Maribou and Nova.

Drawings from the Studio

Randy, Maribou and Raven....some of the studio staples. Randy is on toned paper all are in graphite. All 18" x 24"

More Posters

Poster studies (color studies) 5" x 7" of Raven, Rose, Still Life and Wayne.

Poster Studies 2009

Finally photographed all of the poster studies I did since February. Didn't realize it was so many! These are all 5" x 7" and done in oil.

Ashby Portrait

Ashby, aka Wayne, sat for the Ryder Studio for a two week intensive portrait class. Although I didn't finish this during the class, I was able to get him to sit for an extra day. Oil, 8"x 10"

Raven - Finished and rephotographed

I retook the photo after using a bit of retouch varnish. Came out a bit better than an earlier post.

Raven sat 6 weeks for this portrait. Oil 14" x 16". A bit larger than I'd been doing before.

Figure Drawing

In the Ryder Studio, on a "normal" day, we work on our portraits in the morning and figure drawing in the afternoon. During the last two weeks, I've been working with Randy in incandescent / halogen lighting. These are the two pieces I completed.