Anna

This is a Monday night portrait that I hadn't gotten around to posting for a while. I ran out of time on this one, so the composition is a little sparse.

Anna, Alla Prima oil, 14" x 18"

And a recent sketch

Travel Sketches

Here are a few sketches from my holiday trip to Chicago. People in the airport...



And this is my sister's dog Brandy. I know three pit bulls very well and despite the stereo types, they are all the nicest, most calm dogs I've ever known.

The Regulars

Just by chance, I happened to get on a drawing spree of several of the people that frequent my favorite little coffee shop. Everyone in the first two images goes there at least every other day.

Mike

Back to model again, I painted Mike the first time that I attended the portrait night group, posted here. He brought his 16 year old Italian greyhound, Gretta, with him to pose this time. She was sitting in his lap and I had originally wanted to fit her into the painting after I had Mike taken care of, but I decided not to at the last minute. I think it would have crowded the picture a bit too much and I'm happy with this one the way it is.

oil on board, alla prima, 14" x 18"

Sketches

This one is from my head (not the coffee shop, could you tell?)

Svetta II

It was one of those nights, I got off to a bad start. I wasn't getting it down fast enough and the feeling of running out of time was only causing me to make hasty mistakes. I thought for sure it was one for the trash pile.
But then, in the last half hour session, determined not to give up, I slapped down paint to fill in the neglected skin tones, painted over misplaced eye lids, smooshed everything around, and ...I think it came out alright. Despite a few minor issues I'm pretty happy with it.

Svetta II, (same model as in this post) Oil on board, alla prima, 14"x18"

A Few Things

I've been working on some illustrations that I won't be able to show for a while so I haven't gotten to do as much drawing for myself lately. But, here are a few things.


I've been trying out some new pencils and while I was at it I got some blue lead too, just for fun.

Denise

The Monday night portrait strikes again! These have been a ton of fun lately and I feel like I've been improving at least a little. Always a good thing.

Denise, Oil on board, alla prima, 14" x 18"

Erisha

Here is the next Monday night portrait. Erisha (I hope I spelled that correctly) came back the next week after being the model to attempt her first oil painting and she's off to a good start.

Oil, 14" x 18"

Back from Illuxcon

And a good time was had by all. I met many cool and extraordinarily talented people, saw a ton of great illustration art and a few painting demonstrations. As long as it happens again next year (and I don't see why it wouldn't) I'll be there.
Here are a few things I drew while participating in a little impromptu sketch group in the hotel bar.


For those who might recognize her, this next one is of Tiffany Prothero, who was also taking part in the sketch group.

As promised, here is the the last Monday night portrait. Our model was local jazz singer, Tish Adams.

And one last thing...
Thanks to CGunit.net for featuring me on their blog!

Illuxcon coming up

I'm getting geared up to attend Illuxcon ,the first fantastic illustration art convention, next weekend in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Looks like it's going to be a good time and there is going to be tons of great art to see! If you also happen to be going, come find me and say hello.




The latest Monday night portrait is also drying and waiting to be scanned. Our model this week was local jazz singer Tish Adams. Image coming soon...

Monday Night Portraits Begin Again

Hurray! Monday night portrait session have begun once again after the summer break. We had a great model named Svetta for the first session last Monday, hopefully we'll have her back again.

Oil on board, 14"x18"

These sessions do great things for keeping my painting in practice. More to come...

Reoccuring Models

I don't see this guy very often at the coffee shop, but I like to draw him every time I get the chance. I've previously posted drawings of him here and from a less good angle here. There are many "regulars" at the coffee shop (one of which I suppose I am) if you look back through my blog posts you may be able to spot quite a few repeat sitters.

Just playing around with some Art Nouveau curves here

sketch, sketch, sketch

More from the coffee shop...

This is sort of a weird 'exquisite corpse' because the legs below belong to the girl above. I just ran out of paper on the above sketch, but I was interested in drawing her shoes for some reason.

More sketches