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, March 31, 2019

On The Rocks

For some time now I have been cavalierly riding favorable currents with my figurative work. A medical emergency has crashed me on the rocks. Newly humbled, I now realize how good the sailing has been. This forced hiatus to make repairs should provide ample time to chart the next course.

Profile, oil pastel on toned paper, 8 1/2" X 7 1/2", 2018


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Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Bringing It

Good models bring "it" to a figure session. They aren't just good at holding still. Their poses and attitude say something fundamental about themselves.

Reclining Nude, oil pastel, 8" X 9", 2012 




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Saturday, March 9, 2019

A Village

Art has been my solitary sanctuary since I was very young. When a model is involved even private sessions aren't solitary. Group sessions offer an unparalleled place to share the expense of a model and exchange ideas. For many years I have been attending long pose sessions at The Art League in Alexandria, VA. I owe great deal of gratitude to the artists who keep these sessions alive and so graciously share their passion for the figure.

Sam With Sword, oil on canvas, 12" X 10", 2018



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Saturday, February 23, 2019

On

There are times when working from a live model you are just "on". Brush strokes or pencil marks are uninhibited and aggressive. You might feel the surge right away but more often confidence builds gradually as a session progresses. It is not possible to predict when these welcome occasions will occur. Sometimes you aren't even aware that you were on until looking back years later.

Profile, oil pastel, 7" X 6", 2015




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Monday, February 11, 2019

Just Drawing

Apparently late in his career the French artist Pierre-Paul Prud'hon (1758-1823) abandoned painting altogether and devoted himself to drawing the nude. Sometimes a drawing says all that is necessary.

Sarah W., oil pastel on toned paper
10 1/2" X 6 3/4", 2019



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Saturday, February 2, 2019

Making Do

There is no working central heating in my studio. Electric space heaters take the edge off on cold winter days but rooms could never be described as "warm". Needless to say I am not hosting any models this winter. I will just have to make do.


Burton's Chair, oil pastel, 8" X 7 1/2", 2019




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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

The Human Form

"I can only work from a model. The sight of the human form comforts and feeds me. I have infinite worship for the nude." Auguste Rodin.


Female Nude Study, oil pastel on toned paper, 7" X 7 1/2", 2018




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