Head sketches 1-30-08

Charcoal on newsprint

These are practice sketches I've done in the last fifteen years or so. I selected them from my sketch pads. The sizes vary from two or three inches to maybe seven inches high. They are not "finished", just taken far enough to show the characteristics of the subject and show some form. I've done a lot of sketches like these. The bald headed guy in the bottom photo is invented. The rest are from photos.

Head study

Charcoal on newsprint, about 6.5 x 7 inches

This is a practice drawing, done from a photo. The subject is Beryl Markham, a well known aviator. She was the first pilot to fly the Atlantic from east to west, which made for a long night. I think the year she did it was 1935. In art school, we did a lot of drawings on smooth newsprint. The rough variety, which seems to be more commonly available, doesn't work as well. But smooth newsprint and charcoal pencil work really well together. It's a softer surface than most other papers, very nice to work on. Unfortunately, it's not archival. It yellows quickly.

Figure study

Oil on canvas board, 16 x 20 inches

This paint sketch was done in class in the mid 1990's, at California Art Institute in Westlake Village. I have many good memories of that school. The instructor for this class was the legendary Neil Boyle, BSWCA. (BSWCA means Big Shot West Coast Artist.) Although I didn't adopt his colorful painting style or his preferred subject matter (dance hall floozies), I enjoyed his great sense of humor. I followed his practice of using kerosene for paint thinner for a while, but I now use odorless thinner. If you're interested, you could Google Neil Boyle.

Pirate and Pretty Girl Drawing

Pencil on Paper (Bristol board) 11 x 14 inches
Well, it looks like my blog is back from the dead. I am working on a commissioned painting and don't have time to do a daily painting, between the commissioned piece and my day job. So, I will post some drawings I have done in the past (recent and distant). Some drawings will be school work, some will be portfolio pieces (like this one), some will be quick sketches I will do in the near future, and some will be from my archives. I have a lot of drawings to show, so I might as well keep my blog alive until I can do new paintings.

Pickled Chili Pepper

Oil on panel, 2.5 x 3.5 inches

I like the reflection of this pepper on polished wood; and the colors harmonize well.

Sold.

Cream Pitcher with Cherries

Oil on panel 4 x 5 inches

Private collection.

Orange Slice

Orange Slice 2.5 x 3.5 inches

Aperitif Glass

Aperitif Glass 4 x 5 inches

This is a study of a glass on white fabric. I recently shot it in direct sunlight, and got a very accurate result. This pic replaces the one with the blue cast. (It looked pretty good in blue, too.)

Plum and Cherry

Plum and Cherry

2.5 x 3.5 inches

Pear and Grapes: Better Photo

Oil on panel, 4 x 5 inches

This photo was shot in direct sunlight. There is quite a difference in color between this and the first photo I posted of this painting.

Sold.