Ali

Oil, 11 x 14 inches

Etiquette of Drawing in Public

Persistent followers of my blog know that I often get my drawing practice while visiting my local coffee shop. I am often asked if I have frequent encounters with angry drawing subjects demanding to know why I'm staring at them, but the truth is I've never had anyone get upset. I've only been met with curiosity and enthusiasm.  The secret is... don't act like a creep! This sounds simple, and in practice it is, but it takes some thought to understand it from your subjects perspective.

Number one, don't hide and don't hide your drawing. It may seem counter intuitive when you don't want your subject to be aware that they are being drawn (since this can make them assume a less natural and more self-conscious pose) but acting secretive equals acting creepy. Be open, be friendly. You don't have to tell your subject that your drawing them, but if they happen to come over or walk by, don't cover up your drawing . Show it to them if you like or just make it easy to see so they know what you're doing.

Number two, don't be distracting. This is the most common mistake artists make when drawing in public. They put their sketchbook flat on the cafe table and continuously bob their head up and down between subject and sketch. Movement in our periphery vision catches our attention, especially when it's followed by a face looking at us. So just as the left side of the animated image in your periphery vision (below) is distracting you from reading this, the artist distracts their subject with constant movement and draws the subject's attention to the fact that they are being stared at. Solution: find some way to situate your drawing surface and the subject in or near the same field of vision so that the only thing you have to move is your eyes. This is different from being secretive. It's a matter of common courtesy to avoid being distracting.

Don't be distracting to your subject!

Even using this method, I am sometimes "caught." I glace back up from my sketch to have my gaze met head on by the subject before the drawing is finished. Not wanting to disturb them from their pose, I change the direction of my glances to something else nearby for three or four glances. This is usually enough to make them think I'm actually drawing something else. When they go back to what they were doing I continue my drawing. Then when I'm done, I leave it out on the table for them to see if they decide to come investigate with a walk-by; sometimes we have a conversation.

Satyrs at Dusk

Here's the final image I created for the children's poetry book, Chocolate Chips & Rocket Ships. The poem I illustrated is called Twilight. The Kickstarter page is in it's final days now and still needs a lot of help.

Oil, 18 x 24 inches

(click to zoom)

I'm now back now from the Oil Painter's of America National Show in Evergreen, Co. I had a great time, met some wonderful people and enjoyed seeing the exceptional work by everyone in the show. It'll be up until July 21st if your headed that way!

Rudy Cheeks

Something of a local celebrity in newspapers/radio/music, Rudy Cheeks's nick name reflects his surprisingly magenta skin tones. Amazing colors to try to capture.

Oil, 11 x 14 inches

I'm off to Evergreen, Colorado for the weekend where I'll be attending the opening of the Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibit of Traditional Oils. My painting, Ukulele, is included in the exhibit. If your in the Denver/Evergreen area come say hi and see the show!

Satyr in Progress

Here's a sneak preview of piece I'm currently working on. It's for a book of children's poetry called Chocolate Chips & Rocket Ships.

Mark

Oil, 9 x 12 inches

Crissy

Oil, 9 x 12 inches

I've just received word that my painting "Elegant Enigma" has been awarded an honorable mention in the Oil Painters of America Spring Online Showcase! I am honored to be among the winners which you can see here.

Zane

Oil, 9 x 12 inches

Kate

Kate Huntington runs the portrait group that I paint these portraits at every week.

Oil, 9 x 12 inches

A Glimmer at the Water's Edge

Oil, 18 x 24 inches

Roark

Oil, 9 x 12 inches

Also, more good news! This Illustration for Dungeons & Dragons' Dragon Magazine has been accepted to Spectrum 19, the annual best of contemporary fantastic art. I am honored to be included.

A Commission and the OPA National Show!

Here is a private commission that I finished recently. The client requested a performance magic themed painting so I created this piece of a magician producing a dove, inspired by some of J. C. Leyendecker's arrow collar illustrations from the last century. I think I'll call it "Grand Illusion."

Oil, 16 x 20 inches 

(click to zoom) 

 

Also, I've just been notified that my painting, Ukulele, has been accepted to the Oil Painters of America 21st Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils! The show will take place from June 22nd - July 21st at Evergreen Fine Art Gallery in Evergreen, Colorado.

Ukulele

My friend and musician, Amanda Penecale, came to visit a while back. While she sat on my couch in the window light playing a few songs on her ukulele, I couldn't help but take the opportunity to plan a painting. For the full experience, go take a listen to her music here!

Oil, 18 x 24 inches

(click to zoom)

Julie

Oil, 9 x 12 inches

Michael

Yet another portrait from the weekly sessions. I've been doing these for almost four years now and it has taught me so many important lessons. There is always something to learn and I feel like I've found something new recently that this portrait is a pretty good example of.

Oil, 9 x 12 inches