Graphite

Life drawing 21st June

| ginnybain

Colin was this mornings life model. We started the session with four 5 min poses. I decided to work with big loose brush strokes (ink) to capture the main thrust of the pose and then on top in line (again ink) to add outlines/edges. A set of dynamic poses on top of a barrel. Particularly enjoyed these, as the freedom of the ink and brush is pleasurable. Worked on sugar paper – which is not quite up to the pressure, hence the wrinkle of the paper.

Four really quick one min poses – all with the body hanging/pulling. Worked in graphite and layered the drawings – choosing a different scale for the fourth pose, in order to fit on page. This created an unexpected composition, which I am happy with.

Still with the sugar paper (of a random colour) a longer 15min pose. A difficult time with drawing in behind the bow and getting the positions of the hands correct in this pose – left hand still a little too small. A struggle too with the setting of the right arm.

Final pose (approx 50mins) was a seated pose, hands interlocked and a slight twist. I worked again with broad ink brush strokes, then brown line. Onto some light blue pastel paper, which survived the ink washing. Built the image up, layering on more ink. With the longer pose I was able to work back onto ink with some white charcoal to pick up areas of highlight. Spent most of the time fighting the legs, a battle which I think I finally won but created a mis-match between the more spontaneous work on the head and shoulders and heavily worked legs (consequently I didn’t photograph them !!) Happy with the likeness to Colin I caught and the energy contained in the drawing.

Life Drawing 14/06

| ginnybain

This Friday session saw another new model. I am not sure I have ever drawn someone so muscular – so it was quite a challenge. I was on a reduced art kit (due to a heading straight off to lunch afterwards) so worked in charcoal and graphite on paper bought at the session.

First pose was for 10 mins – a full frontal standing pose. Working in charcoal I decided to really concentrate my looking at the upper body and arm relationship – which I think I captured well. We then had a three min dancing pose. It took me about a min to relax into this – the result looks nothing like a figure but I can see/feel the models dancing arms. I choose to draw long the outline of the body changing the line as the body changed. Would have quite liked more poses like this. We then had a seated 20 min pose – of the back of the model. Struggled to find definition in the back – but pleased with the head/neck relationship.

Final pose was a 40mins seated pose. I switched to graphite bar and pencil. Tried to be free in my drawing and mark making. In places this was very successful but I think there is something unresolved about the relationship between the body and the legs. Happy with this piece as two separate photos (above) rather than as a whole. Pleased with the hands in this drawing.

Life Drawing 10/05

Image | | ginnybain

Second Art pocket session with Francis. Model this morning Colin. Have drawn Colin before which made drawing easier. Light was soft and diffuse but plenty around to see the model with. Natural light. More into my swing. Stayed with the graphite and charcoal, whilst I re-learn, looking and transcribing the shapes of the body. A series of 10 min poses, then some 3min action poses and then a final 40 min pose. I chose to draw this final pose twice. Preferring the more spontaneous first drawing. Focused on capturing the face of Colin. Caught something of him, but still terrified of faces. Need to keep drawing them – please with the hands and the sense of the the slump/twist Colin had by leaning his head on his hand.
Colin held a series of action poses, hanging, shooting and skiing which were exciting to draw. Brought some better quality paper along, which ran out before the two final drawings but was better to work with. Mental note to self to look out more buy/more before next week.

Life Drawing 1/05

Image | | ginnybain

An evening session, at a bowling alley venue on Dereham Road. In a room – all sat at tables facing the model, Amanda, who was sat on a stool on a stage type area. All work was in sketch book and was graphite black and pencil.
First life drawing back in a while. Happiest with the first fast sketches. Loved the model’s hair, although I never quite captured it. Some quite contrasty lighting. Happy to have captured something of Amanda’s body shape