Thursday/Friday Sketch

The daily newspaper got thrown away yesterday before I could choose a photo from it for my daily sketch, so I went to the office to check email. On one of the blogs I read regularly I followed a link to YouTube. While watching the YouTube movie I noticed links to Queen and Freddie Mercury and couldn't resist watching great live performances of Radio GaGa, We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody, etc. I paused the video, made a quick pencil sketch of Freddie on a watercolor tablet, then scanned the tablet page and imported the image into Corel Painter where I used watercolor brushes to paint a wash over the scanned pencil drawing. Next, I imported the digital watercolor painting into Photoshop where I used digital paint brushes, the Burn tool, and the Dodge tool to add brush strokes and adjust tones. I also used the Liquid filter to adjust and refine the shape of features. While working I put a screenshot of the video frame on the screen of a laptop and positioned it next to the iMac I was using. And, of course, I was using a pressure sensitive Wacom tablet.

Extra Drawing Session

Occasionally an extra drawing session is arranged at the Argos Gallery. At Tuesday night's drawing group I was told about such a session that would happen the following night. The model would be doing the second 3 hours of a six-hour pose.

At the drawing session on Wednesday night, a limit of 6 artists had been set. I was artist number 6, so no problem. I was told not to set up an easel until everyone from the first session a week ago had set up in their spots. That works for me because I think any angle of the model is interesting, often more interesting than the main view the other artists might have.

The only spot available for my easel was on the extreme right of the model stand.
 

The woman running the session had the model pose partially dressed for part of the session. I don't know why, but like I said, it works for me.  

Daily Newspaper Sketch: Somali Pirate

The third day of daily sketches based on a photo in that day's local newspaper. Pirate business is not doing nearly as well these days. Many pirates have had their luxury cars repossessed and can no longer afford the $1000-per-night prostitutes they used to hire. Oh well, you can still stroll on Somali beaches and enjoy the view. 

The Tuesday Night Group Draws Again

Five two-minute warmup drawings. 

45-minute poses. 

A Newspaper Sketch A Day

I decided that if I sketch a wash drawing every day, based on a photo found in the daily newspaper, it would be good practice and might also help ease the feeling of intimidation I have a tendency to experience when facing a nice clean sheet of watercolor paper.

Today’s subject shows a female inmate in Lima, Peru, participating in an event that celebrates the first day of Spring.

Graphite & Fiesta

I'm always squeamish about tackling the pristine first page of a brand new sketchpad or, in this case, watercolor pad, but I wanted to try the water-soluble graphite sticks and blocks Robin bought for me at the recent Art Materials Expo that was held at the Buffalo Thunder Resort north of Santa Fe.

I made a quick sketch from a photo in the Sunday paper, a vintage photo from the 1964 Fiesta parade. I started by sketching the head with a water-soluble graphite stick, but realized I was working too small for the size of the graphite stick and the rough paper texture, so I finished the drawing with a brush and graphite wash. It has been a loooong time since I've drawn with a brush. It's a nice departure from the charcoal-drawing effect.

Brush and water-soluble graphite sketch