Strands of Hair

Last week’s model had dramatic features: large, dark eyes, full lips, with strands of hair that had pulled free from a tightly wrapped bun behind her head.

Strands of Hair
Charcoal study

Strands of Hair
Digital print on aluminum
24" x 26"

Back and Shoulders

One of at least a dozen interesting poses from last night’s model at Argos Gallery. Background ancient parchment texture and highlights added in Photoshop.

Woman’s Back and Shoulders
18" x 24"

Woman’s Back and Shoulders
variation 1
18" x 24"

Detail

In the Zone

A couple of sketches from a recent Tuesday night drawing session at Argos Gallery, Santa Fe.

In the Zone
Charcoal on newsprint
24" x 18"

Joey and Chair
Charcoal on newsprint with digital paint
20" x 24"

Fame and Fortune

While waiting for a shipment of acrylic paint I experimented with a drawing of Freddie Mercury, legendary lead singer of Queen. I drew the image and scanned it over a year ago. Today I opened the scan in Illustrator, traced it as a vector image and enlarged it from approximately 7" x 7" to 30" x 30". I opened the Illustrator file in Photoshop, applied some filters, masked some areas of multiple layers, applied several texture backgrounds, then change the blend mode of a couple of the background layers. Next I'll order a digital print on aluminum and add it to the series of metal prints that I'm working on now.

And Everything That Goes With It
Digital print on aluminum
20" x 20"

Hidden Tattoo

Many of her friends haven’t seen the tattoo on her back. It’s awesome. 

See the previous post, Snake Tattoo.

Hidden Tattoo

Snake Tattoo

Beautiful decorative body art.

A new digital print based on a recent life drawing at Argos Gallery. 

Snake Tattoo
Digital print on aluminum
42" x 36"

Skin Deep Tonight

The opening reception for Skin Deep: An Exhibit of Life Drawings is just hours away. Looking forward to getting photos of the artists with their drawings.

Today one of my 2-minute sketches appeared in Pasatiempo, the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Weekly Magazine of Arts, Entertainment and Culture.

I know, it's not a perfect drawing, but hey... two freakin’ minutes!

Scriptorium

To add a digital background texture to a charcoal life drawing, I used a page from the Lindisfarne Gospels, an illuminated manuscript from a monastery off the coast of Northumberland (in northern England) from around the year 700. The Gospels are on display in the British Library in London.

The Lindisfarne Gospels, lavishly illustrated and hand lettered with incredible skill and artistry, are thought to have been created in a monastery scriptorium by Eadfrith, a monk who became the Bishop of Lindisfarne in 698 and died in 721.

Scriptorium

40" x 30"

I kind of doubt that Eadfrith had this kind of art in mind as he slaved away in the scriptorium. 

Yep, kinda doubt it. 

Sort of. 

Maybe. 

Hmmmm. 

Eadfrith!

Another Bandana Pose

Bandana
28" x 30"

Bandana and Plaid Shirt

One of our favorite Tuesday night models posed for our group last night. Word is getting out about our Tuesday night group and we consistently have more than a dozen artists in attendance. Last night there were 15 artists, with a couple of regulars missing. Pretty good considering the fact that one year ago attendance was low enough to make us wonder if we could afford to continue.

Bandana and Plaid Shirt
Charcoal and pastel on Canson paper
24" x 18"

Skin Deep Extras

In conjunction with the historic Skin Deep exhibit of life drawings that is destined to shake up the art scene in Santa Fe, Paris, and New York, a snazzy collection of Skin Deep products is being offered at CafePress.  A link will be posted here soon for the 66-page, souvenir Skin Deep Exhibit catalog.

Skin Deep All Over T-shirt, front and back

Black T-shirt

Large Mug

White T-Shirt

Skin Deep Exhibit

Our Tuesday night drawing group has announced an exhibition of life drawings that were made during the course of a Tuesday night session. 

16 artists are participating. Each artists was allowed to select, at their own discretion, up to three drawings for the show.

A 66-page exhibit catalog will be given to each artist and to the models that we’ve drawn throughout the past year or so. Additional copies of the catalog will be available at the show, and on Amazon.com, at a ridiculously low price.

The show features a wide selection of styles and techniques of poses that varied from several minutes long to just under 1 hour, exhibiting a rawness and spontaneity that is both refreshing and compelling.

Anodized Art

I'm experimenting with images printed on aluminum. I use sketches from the Tuesday night life drawing group as reference to make vector art versions of the drawing in Adobe Illustrator, then import the vector art into Photoshop CC to add various effects and background textures. The MetalPrint process should result in vibrant colors, although I'm waiting for a test print to see the results.

I’m also collaborating with a artist/jeweler/metallurgist to explore the possibilities of adding special metal enhancements, such as sterling silver, to the aluminum surface.

Blowing Kisses, detail
Anodized aluminum

Sonnet 30

Sonnet 30
Digital print on metal
16 x 18

Nude Unfinished

A drawing from the Tuesday Night drawing sessions at Argos Gallery. The short pose ended before I finished the drawing. That, I think, was a very good thing.

Nude Unfinished
Digital print (original art: charcoal & pastel on paper)
40 x 28

Drawings at an Exhibition

Details are being finalized for an exhibit of drawings from the Tuesday night drawing group that meets at Argos Gallery in Santa Fe. The opening is scheduled for March 7, 2014 at Argos Gallery. There should be a very interesting and wide range of styles exhibited. All submitted art will be drawings of poses that varied between 2 minutes to 45 minutes, so even drawings of longer poses should have a spontaneous and raw appeal.

Final details and the official invitation will be posted here in the near future.

Below are a couple of recent drawings from the Tuesday night group.

Florentine Print
Digital print
20" x 20"

Charcoal and white pastel

Charcoal with a dash of 16th Century parchment

Nude in a Green Room
Digital print
24" x 26"

Sienna Nude
Digital print
20" x 26"

January Pose
Digital print
20" x 26"

Tower at Dusk

Yesterday afternoon, New Year’s Eve, Robin and I went to the New Mexico Museum of Art in downtown Santa Fe to see the Renaissance to Goya exhibit (the only American venue for this exhibition). The exhibit included 132 drawings and prints by artist from four centuries, including Goya, Velazquez, Murillo, Zurbaran, & Ribera. Amazing stuff.

As I left the exhibit and walked through the museum's courtyard I noticed the late afternoon light illuminating the Pueblo-style tower, one of downtown's iconic landmarks. I grabbed a quick iPhone photo, then used Corel Painter X3 and Photoshop to create a 30" x 24" canvas.

Tower at Dusk
30" x 24"

Detail

Sparkling Water with Lime

Sparkling Water with Lime
18 x 24

Merry Drawing

A quick Photoshop enhancement to a charcoal drawing on newsprint to announce the cancellation of our regular Tuesday evening drawing group that happened to fall on Christmas Eve this year. The model has a sleeve tattoo that extends from her shoulder to below the elbow. Pretty cool.

Breakfast At Harry's

Robin at Harry’s Roadhouse, a favorite spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Santa Fe.

Breakfast at Harry’s
Digital print on canvas
28 x 20

Detail 1

Detail 2