old man

love this old guy.

full figured... updated

Started working on my first "fine drawing.” it's an imagine selected by my teacher. It's a naked lady. Call me immature, but I was a little sheepish in taking super amounts of time studying and shading the back side of an old lady. Not finished, but learned a TON in the process of drawing the shape. Adding layers of shading because I'm a chicken when it comes to going dark with the pencil. I think she's coming along...

Bottom photo is the original, obviously. 

Worked on it a while last night. Not sure that I'm fully satisfied, but it's done for now I think. Needed to be darker in a lot of places, but as I said, I'm gun shy with my darks. 

gesture drawings

I can totally see how this improves drawing. I'm starting a drawing in my class of a classic female figure. My teacher wants me to do a bunch of gesture drawings because I need to get to know my subject before I commit. :) anyway, I'm having so much fun! It's actually relaxing to only spend minutes - even as little as 30 seconds - on anything.  Very relaxing to not obsess. I can see my figure proportions getting better already.

value study pear

Working on pencil control and having trouble with it. Starting with some value study in my class.  I can't say enough good things about my teacher, Jill Saur. I've only been twice, but she's so calm and encouraging. The space is beautiful. 2.5 hours of quiet and challenge. It's so peaceful. I'm worried less about what I produce and focusing on the basics and the process.

for momma

Crooked mouth. Charcoal.

Popeye.

this was actually from a photo of my oldest, but it looks absolutely NOTHING like him.  he was on a Popeye kick for about a year, so I had to make a costume for him, which he wore every.single.day.  Anyway, I was attempting to copy a picture, but since it looks nothing like him and the teeth/mouth are just bizarre, I do love the use of the white in the nose.

charcoal.

my sweet granddaddy

This might be my favorite so far.  I gave it to my father for Christmas.  It's a picture of my sweet, sweet Grandpa Joe.  I miss him every day.  He was the most amazing man I've ever met - sweet, humble, STRONG, gentle and loved the Lord fiercely.  He was a firefighter, fisherman, hunter, gardener, and an artist himself.  What an example.

But first, the awful, awful rough draft with wonky eyes.  So glad I did a final draft.

all charcoal.