The next step

I have worked from the live nude periodically since the early 1970's. This blog started August 9th, 2012 in my second year of working almost exclusively from the figure.

In the fall of 2015 I reintroduced still lifes and an occasional cityscape into my painting repertoire. Rather than abandon this figure blog or start a new one I decided to add them to the conservation.

All drawings and paintings posted on this blog were done entirely from live models or on location.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

A Wink and Nod

I often get a nervous wink and nod when people learn I work from the live nude. Having never been exposed to a life model situation people make assumptions about what happens there. At the very least it must be a bit "naughty". But the gap between what most people think happens at a nude session and the reality is wide. In my experience the overwhelming majority of artists are there to improve their drawing or painting skills. No other setting comes close in this regard. When the model goes into pose your work becomes the focus.

Nude Studies, oil pastel, 8 1/2" X 11",  2012 (Dupont Figure Group)

A nude model session is a world unto itself. It is one of my favorite environments. I've worked plenty of clothed sessions but there is a certain "edge" missing from the room. Nudity has a disarming affect. You have to leave your shyness or ego at the door. The model is revealing their exterior self while the artists are making public their inner selves and abilities.

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