Yet Another Page From the Sketchbook

Here is a drawing from my sketchbook. I am really partial to the mother and child theme. I definitely want to explore it more. A series of paintings would be great. It has been an ambition of mine since I was in college. I might have to continue to put a hold on that idea until time permits me to devote enough time.

Drawing Exercises

This is an example of a drawing exercise that I like to do. The drawing is a from a cast drawing from the Charles Bargue Drawing Course book. This is a great exercise in and of itself. I use a modified version of the sight size method in my sketchbook which really helps me focus and measure and really observe what I am seeing. After I spend several hours or more drawing I usually wait a day or two or more to draw the same drawing from memory without referring to my previous drawing. I know when I am done because I can't remember anything else to draw. This exercise is so helpful in forcing me to really be observant and to file the information in my brain ready to access at any moment when I am doing my creative drawings. The next step is to redesign my memory drawing, exaggerating some features and the overall shape of the head. I use my memory drawing for reference. I draw just to the right of my memory drawing so I can refer back to it without having to flip the page. This helps me to feel less confined to what I saw in the original, plus it is a simplified version of the original which helps me to simplify things. I take the drawing as far as my memory drawing will let me and then I pull out the original reference and add the details and really refine the drawing. This is an example of the three drawing exercises.

Nu Pastel

This is a figure drawing I did in Nu Pastel when I was in school at BYU. Nu pastel is a great medium to work in, you can cover large areas and establish values quickly. I love drawing on newsprint. It seems to be more forgiving than other papers I've tried. The only down side to it is that it yellows and becomes brittle over time. I guess that only matters if I thought someone would be seeing them fifty or a hundred years from now.

A Page From the Sketchbook

Here is a page from my sketchbook. Most of the drawings from my sketchbook are from observation. Every once in a while I draw from my imagination or from memory.

Making Progress

I took some time this weekend to continue painting the portrait of a friend of mine, Spencer Nuggent. As I had mentioned in a previous post, it had been a while since I last painted it (2 years was too long) and I was a little concerned that I might do something to mess it up. But, I overcame my fears and set the paint brush to the canvas and this was the result. My goal is to finish it by March. I am not happy with the photo I took, I definitely need to make some improvements in take photos of my art work.

Figure Drawing

This is from a figure drawing session at Wahoo Studio. It's where I work. They have figure drawing sessions about twice a month. These are a great opportunity for me to draw from life and sharpen my observational skills. Every once in awhile I am fortunate enough to produce a drawing that I like. This was one of those.

The Power of One

Last night I was flipping through a magazine and saw this ad for The Smile Train. A non profit organization that raises donations for children with clef lips and clef palate to receive corrective surgery. There is a special place in my heart for these unfortunate children. Last year I wanted to become a maxillofacial surgeon so that I could help children like them. So I quit my job to go back to school. You may think I was crazy and deranged, or still am for that matter. But I felt that was a way I could use the gifts I have been given to make a difference. Unfortunately, do to some unexpected events, such as beginning chemistry class, I realized that artists do not make good chemist and seeing that I had no chance in passing the entry level class that there was a pretty good chance that I wouldn't do so well in the remaining chemistry class I needed to take. I also realized that not all worthy aspirations are realized and that I could still make a difference in their lives, but in a different way. I believe that each of us posses the power to change lives, including our own. This ad was helpful reminder to recommit myself to making a difference in the lives of others and to live life to the fullest and let others know that I was here.

Work In Progress

I thought a would post an oil painting that I started two years ago. I still have not finished it. I guess I am posting it because it just might give me the motivation I need to finish it. And for those who are wondering, no that is not blood on his coat, its paint that was smeared from the background when I was painting his face.

Gotta Love That Afro

This was a demo that I did for my Illustration class that I teach a Utah Valley State College. This was an in-class assignment. The students were to paint a stylized portrait in high viscosity acrylic paint, incorparting tactile texture and use a monochromatic color scheme. I really tried to push texture and exploit the acrylic paint as well as make the most out of the monochromatic color scheme. I did allow students to start with a warm or cool wash before painting with a monochromatic color scheme. The wash is burnt sienna and I painted the rest with raw sienna and black and white.

Kneaded Eraser!

Who would have thought that you could sculpt with a kneaded eraser? Well, I was looking at my kneaded eraser one day and thought that it looked a lot like clay and so I decided to put it to the test. This was my result. For those who do not know what a kneaded eraser is I will attempted to explain it. It is a pliable eraser that can be reused and holds what ever shape it is formed into.

My oldest daughter, Thea, was so excited watching Chester come to life she later ask if he could talk to her. What a great imagination.

Chester

I did this drawing in my sketchbook and liked it so much that I named him "Chester." I usually don't name the characters that I draw, but I took one look at him and I thought he looks like a Chester. The next thing I thought was he needs some way to get around, so I gave him a unicycle. I was surprised how quickly he learned to ride one of those things. I have yet to ride one myself. Chester was given an early birthday present this year and by the looks of if he will enjoy it.