charcoal bust etc

A couple of charcoal studies added...

A3, compressed charcoal on paper.
Ref image by kind courtesy of Cinnamonangel (model) in Deviantart, and Bruce Dienes (photographer).

A4 (approx), compressed charcoal on paper
Unknown ref image source - many thanks for helping me with my volume studies.

And a couple more pastels...

A3, pastel on paper.
Ref image by kind courtesy of Croquis Cafe

Lady with flute 2

Lady with Flute 2 - 30" x 22", Oil Pastel on  paper. The other one (Lady with flute 1) was in dry pastel.

Close up

Ref image by kind courtesy of Marion Skydancer in Deviantart. 

Figure Studies in Oil Pastel

Two figure studies in Oil Pastel

30" x 22", assorted Oil Pastel on paper.

Close up 1

Close up 2

Ref image by kind courtesy of Marie (marystk in Deviantart).

Study of 'Nature Revealed'

(I intend to add more studies to this thread... )
-----------------------------------------------------------

Study of 'Nature Revealed', a 19th C sculpture by the French master L. E. Barrias.
30" x 22", pastels and conte on paper.

Study of 'The First Funeral'

30" x 22", pastel on paper. This is a study sketch of L. E. Barrias' 'The First Funeral' (1878). I was in total admiration of the complexity of different forces - gravitational and muscular, which are interacting with each other to make this beautiful composition possible. I'm sincerely thankful to the unknown ref sources which helped make this study.

Notice how the central male figure is tilting back (please click to access the full size), while supporting himself from falling forwards (due to the drag of the deceased's weight) with his left leg. His abdominal muscles are taut, to counteract the action of his back muscles (responsible for the backwards tilt). The deceased is completely under the influence of gravity, as is evident from the curvature of his spine, the slight inward bend of the left foot, the position of the wrist/fingers on his lap, and the posture of his head/neck. The female figure is slightly bent forwards, kissing the deceased on the side of his head. Therefore, her weight is mainly on the right leg, which is straight and taut, while the left leg is comparatively relaxed. Also, the male figure's head is erect, the neck muscles stiff - showing the strain of the weight he's carrying. He has a melancholy look on his face, as he glances down at the departed person.