Figure, Oil Sketch

This is a piece done recently, not framed yet. Beautiful model I just love to paint. She just makes it so easy, the work is a pleasure. Such fun! Looking forward to this weeks session, hope I can make it! I think we're supposed to have another great female model.

When doing these oil sketches, more than simply getting a likeness, I strive to create a good painting. Sometimes, in a group setting, sharing a model with other artists may mean that I don't have the exact view that I'd like to have. This means finding the best composition from the viewpoint I have for that session. But I don't necessarily have to paint the entire figure. I'm just looking for the best pattern of lights and darks, angles, etc. to lead the eye through the painting. Sometimes this is easier said than done but using a view finder (which is my favorite crutch) will certainly help.

Bag-o-Peppers, Do I really want to go there?

I've been posting lately on Facebook so I thought I'd come back to my blog tonight.
Just a little study...don't care enough about it to redo larger. Sometimes a little bit is all you need to know you don't really want to go there.

A face takes me back.

Doodling with paint on a 12 X 12 canvas brought out this face. Then I remembered, this is very similar to the first oil painting I ever did, way,way back in high school. Except that one was done, for some reason, all in reds. Then it was stolen. Maybe that was a good sign.