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!

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.

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.

Searching form and line...

As you can see, search for form and line continues... A number of study sketches on (mostly) A3 size paper, using a variety of tools - compressed charcoal, dry pastel, hard compressed leads etc.

Many thanks to the reference sources for helping me with my studies. Some of the sources I've mentioned below, about the others I have no idea... wish I could credit them as well. But I'm sincerely indebted to all.

    

   

   

 

     

    

   



Refs by kind courtesy of Croquis Cafe, New Masters Academy youtube channels, and unknown others. Fourth from below is courtesy of Cinnomanangel in Deviantart (model) / Eric Boutilier-Brown (photographer). Thank  you!