Stark

14 x 22 inches, acrylic on paper.

Black & White reference image by Eric (epsilon3-artphoto in Deviantart), photographer, and the wonderful model who have kindly allowed me its use for study. Many, many thanks!

One more figure study in acrylic, Oct '17

One more figure study in acrylic...

28 x 22 inches, acrylic on paper.

Slightly modified from Ref by kind courtesy of 'R', Voivodess_Stock in Deviantart.

More acrylic studies

More figure studies in acrylic -

A) Study of a tangled-up pose :
14 x 22 inches, acrylic on paper.

Unknown source reference - I wish I could credit the photgrapher/model, the pose was too good not to study. Very educational.

B) Color study - adpatation from Black & White reference.
14 x 22 inches, acrylic on paper

Ref image by kind courtesy of Michael Schalla on Deviantart.com

Figure study in Acrylic Sep'17

'Adhira', figure study in acrylic - 22 x 14 inches, on paper

Study from a reference by Maureen and Douglas Johnson at livemodelbooks-dot-com.

One more figure sketch from April 2017

More figure sketches in acrylic...
1/2 sheet, acrylic on paper. Directly sketched with brush using Burnt Umber.

Reference by kind courtesy of Larry Withers of Onairvideo.com

Torsion - study in acrylic

The 'work in progress' pic is posted at the bottom.
1/2 sheet, acrylic on paper.

A couple of close-ups (you may click to see details in the enlarged version).

The W.I.P shots, in three stages: As you can see, the initial drawing was directly made with brush and burnt umber. At stage 2, more of the background was brushed in using a mix of pthalo green and black (arbitrary choice). Some of this was brushed onto the figure in thin layers, so as to integrate figure with background (helps to take out sharp, cutout-like, sharp edges). Stage 3 shows the finished painting.

Many thanks to Marion Skydancer of deviantart for the reference image.

Figure study in acrylic with WIP

Full sheet, acrylic on buff cartridge paper. Minimal palette - black, burnt sienna, titanium white (and traces of burnt umber).

Here is a three image Work in Progress sequence of this painting:

From above downwards : I began cursorily by pegging the perimeter of the figure, directly using brush and some ivory black (which was left over on my palette from an earlier session). I located the extremities e.g. top of head, right elbow, right shoulder, right toe, right knee, left toe, left knee, left shoulder (in that sequence) by points, and joined these to make a rough polygon. The figure was to be contained within this perimeter. Having drawn the figure, directly with brush, I made some sketchy tonal studies to glean info on the values.

Then I began to add color (although my original intention was to make this black and white), mostly burnt sienna, mixed with black or white, to get the tonal differences. I did use burnt umber here and there, but not much. Having roughly painted all over with this approach, I used a finer brush to adjust the details e.g. highlights, creases etc.


Reference by kind courtesy of GlamourPhotoLight in Deviantart.

Color and form study in acrylic

Another study of the figure from the back. Acrylic sketch on 1/2 sheet paper.

Palette : Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Prussian Blue (plus Titanium White)

Ref image by kind courtesy of Croquis Cafe.

horses and humans

I've made a number of posts on horses, the study of which is as challenging as that of the human figure. Here are a couple of horse heads (or should I say portraits?) in acrylic. Following those are a couple of (human) figure studies in conte.

1/2 sheet, acrylic on paper

1/2 sheet, conte, water-soluble pencil for background.

Couldn't trace the source of the horse refs. The figure is referenced from photos by Lead Birdie in Deviantart. Many, many thanks to all concerned!

A couple of acrylic sketches

A couple of acrylic figure sketches...

Around half sheet each, acrylic on paper. Limited palette - scarlet lake, primary blue, tit. white, (plus bits of burnt umber)

1.

(Heavily adapted version of ref image)

Close up...

2.

Ref images by kind courtesy of 1) Chamarjin and 2) Samo19 in Deviantart. 

Essence

I continue to search for that essence of the drawn human figure. I'm not even sure what I mean by 'essence', except for a vague notion that its something that epitomises all that we look for in a study - proportion, balance, dynamics, structure/rhythm, shape, form, 'fleshiness', texture - in short, life! All in that single drawing, in a sort of visual culmination of years of learning and understanding.

These are mostly sketches on A3 paper, taking all or half of it, using a variety of materials e.g. conte, compressed sanguine clay, compressed charcoal, dry/watersoluble pastel etc. As always, I sincerely thank the photographers and models whose work I've referenced for my studies. Unless specifically mentioned, I have no way of knowing/acknowledging who they all are - but I'm grateful all the same. I'm also thankful to my viewers, who encourage me by dropping in regularly.

Studies of sculptures: the main figure is unknown,
the bottom right if of Earnest Barrias' Electricity

Reference by kind courtesy of livemodelbooks, from their low-res samples/previews

Reference by kind courtesy of Croquis Cafe or onairvideo

The search continues...

N.B - I'd gladly credit my unknown source refs, which have been so helpful in furthering my eduction. Please contact me if you know who they are.

Watercolors

A few watercolor studies...

The first two are of Isoult, sculpture by Edward McCartan.

A3, watercolor

A3, inktense watersoluble blocks

1/2 sheet, watercolor

Ref image by LeadBirdie in Deviantart (Many thanks! Also, many thanks to whomever posted refs of Isoult on the internet)

Back study

Study of the back in acrylic. First one is from 2015, which I don't think I have added to this blog until now.

*** These were adapted from unknown ref sources (to which I'm sincerely grateful for advancing my studies). Please let me know if this was referenced from your photo, so that I may happily post my acknowledgement.

A3, acrylic on canvas paper.

1/2, acylic on paper, more recent - May or June 2016

Figure in Oil Pastel, Jan '16

Larger figure study (30" x 22") in oil pastel on paper..

Adding close up of some details to show the build up of tones...

Adapted from (made slight perspective changes, plus other details) ref image kindly provided by Marion Skydancer. 

Volume, local dynamics...

Continuing to search volume and local dynamics...
Assortment of drawings on A3 pages using charcoal, water-solubles, pastels, conte etc.

Now, what do I mean by 'local dynamics'... this is as against general dynamics, which refers to the general balance/weight distribution, flow of gravitational forces down the body as influencing pose etc. Local dynamics refers to the interaction of local tissues e.g. the compression of flesh at the waist which is bent on that side, the tautness of a tendon when the neck is turned in a direction etc. My aim is to be aware of these little dramas that act out in the human figure, which scripts the larger drama of the pose itself.

Unless specifically mentioned (at the bottom) my gratitude for the various photo refs also goes to various unkownn sources.. thank you so much for helping me with my studies!

Charcoal

Dry pastel

Charcoal and conte

Compressed charcoal, watersoluble

Compressed charcoal, watersoluble

Compressed charcoal, watersolubles for background 

Charcoal pencil

Conte, charcoal pencil

Charcoal pencil

Compressed charcoal

Compressed charcoal

Compressed charcoal, watersoluble

Charcoal pencil

Unsure... probably both charcoal pencil and compressed charcoal

Hard sepia lids, watersoluble

Charcoal pencil, conte, pastel, waterscolor

Conte (most probably)

Compressed charcoal, watersoluble, color pencil

Compressed charcoal

Compressed charcoal

Charcoal pencil, watersolubles

Charcoal pencil, watersoluble sepia lead

Other than the unknown sources, my sincere gratitude to the following for the photo references - Skydancer-stock in Deviantart (Marion Skydancer), Onairvideo.com (Croquis Cafe), Livemodelbooks.com. Please let me know if I've missed listing anyone, or the ref sources for the unknown ones.