Figure with Egg

Sketching from the SoFA V

Here are the results of last nights drawing group. The last one was one of the two women I drew this morning trying to work with a minimum of strokes. I managed with about 50 (give or take a stroke or two) plus a little blending afterwards with my finger. Maybe I'll give it another 50 tonight, and see how that looks.

Watercolor

 I tried a few watercolors myself.

I think that I struggle with composition. The one of the man sorting throough his bags is in a less finished state. The other one I have to fix up a few ouzzles here and there, but it is more finished.

They look so different on screen than in reality. Watercolors don't photograph well because of the camera's limited dynamic range. I think next time I will try a HDR composite and see if that gives a better representation.

I am trying to be as general with the shapes at first and work towards the detail. It is a challenge. I feel like I am still a bit muddied in the glazing.

As far as working methods on the watercolors. I got the idea this time to consider the temperature of the shadows and choose a tempreature color to lay in the shadows and structure instead of doing pencil work. I hate having to erase pencil lines. I worked over this laying in of shadows.

Generally, I have a thing for Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine for working in shadows and understructure. For flesh tones I use Alizaron Crimson dropped into Naples Yellow. To cool the flesh or give it a greenish cast I use Cerulean. To warm it I use Scarlet Lake,or Cadmium Red instead of Alizaron combined with the Naples.

My knowledge of greens and purples isn't as good. I do like the luminosity of shadows made with Ultramarine and Alizaron Crimson. It makes such a nice clear purple. If I want a really earthy dark purple or neutral, I like to use Prussian Blue, and Cadmium Red.

That's about the best I can say....

Vermeer Academy Sketches

Sketching from the SoFA IV

Thanks everyone who commented on SoFA!
:)

(demented) When starting off it's always a question who likes the back and forth c&c and who doesn't. I'm glad to be able to get some good talk going.

Markers are fun and also frustrating. I agree, Mentler's quality is a lot to live up to. I think that I need to draw with more courage and speed. I drag my pen too slowly, and the vitality suffers.

(sonboss) I'm using the disposable Koh-I-Noors, and some of the Tombo ABT markers with one stiff nib and the other end a long, flexible brush-like nib. I haven't quite tamed the brush end yet.

Here, today I left the markers for a bit last night. I did a drawing from

1.) tv
2.) a photograph (the really loose suggestive one)
3.) from an image that popped into my head (the one on black)

Sketching from the SoFA III

Here's today's (drawn last night). I don't feel as productive today. I wanted to do more eye studies. Hmmmmm... well, tonight I will draw some more

I think the portrait drawing of the lady was bugging me.

Sketching from the SoFA II

Here is the second day. I did some more sketching while watching a DVD. I like doing this because I can see the same faces from all different angles, and in action poses. It is good for me when I don't get the opportunity to draw many live models.

I liked the over the shoulder dramatic look in this one.

Here is just a closer view.

Here is a sketch I did while sitting at a coffee shop.

Here are more studies of the over the shoulder look as she rotated her head around.

A view in profile...

A detailed drawing of a man's fac.