zone

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat

This model was so gracious. It's funny, models can be perfectly still and be in their own zone but still be giving so much energy to the artists.

sweet smile

SOLD

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour with 8x10"mat, ready for store bought frame. 

I painted this lovely model during a life drawing session, using complimentary colours red and green. I love her subtle expression.

the last short pose

$60 - 5x7" original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat

It's tricky not to get carried away with a portrait when doing a figure study. I concentrate on the shapes of the face, and not details. That way, the whole piece balances. I think I still caught a subtle expression on her face within the loose style. ; )

shapes and splatters

$60 - 6x9" original watercolour painting in 9x12"mat

I drew this during a life drawing session, with a strong contour line and added my new favourite palette, pink and olive green. I've been working with these two colours now for awhile, and I'm really liking the way the cool pink plays off the warm green. I then added a few decisive shapes... and not so decisive splatters. ; )

turquoise splatter

$100 - 8x10"original watercolour painting

It's just so fun adding a few final splatters to encourage that playful look!

shazam t-shirt

 I finally remembered to take photos of my watercolour process. I drew him with a 6B pencil, which allows for a dark and light contrasty line. I drew him as quickly as I could while still watching for accuracy.

 I always start the drawing and the painting with the face. It seems I need to get that down first before the rest can follow.

 I like emphasizing shadows on the floor to really ground the figure. Without them, the person can look like they're 'floating'.

12x16" - original watercolour painting

Here's the finished product. I did his portrait first (last post) then, realizing how cute his t-shirt was and how interesting his seated body language was, I decided to do this much looser full figure.
And finally, here is a close up of it.

a few more

$80 - 8x10"original watercolour painting

"mixed colours" above and "resting warrior" below are both from longer poses during two different life drawing classes. I'm trying to achieve an interesting line with lots of colour, and I think this same palette choice works with the two very different poses. 

$30 - 8x10"original watercolour painting on 90lb paper.

parallels

$60- 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

Here's another piece from my last figure drawing session. Same model, same palette. 

criss cross

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

I'm finding my way during figure painting classes lately with a rose and olive watercolour palette. Since the poses are quick and I'm working 'on the fly', I find deciding on the paper size and the colours I'm going to use, before the class starts, gives me the opportunity to just concentrate on getting an interesting line then putting in select values.

whiz

$30 - 9x12" original watercolour painting on 90lb paper.

Today's life model was full of energy when posing for short poses. I think I captured his spark in this charcoal drawing as he whizzed around from pose to pose. Then I added splashes of turquoise, purple and red.