Thursday, December 19, 2013

Pearl E. Gates



Our model this week was the lovely Pearl E. Gates, burlesque artiste, sparkling in crystals and lace. With her radiant smile and cascade of golden hair it was a joy to draw her!

Seated gesture
Reclining gesture
Joyful dance pose
 


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Magnoliah Black

Our model this week was the lovely Magnoliah Black, star of Rubenesque Burlesque, decked out in her cutest Christmas finery.  It was a treat to draw her!


Argyle socks
Detail
 
Seated pose
Detail

Gold bow
Gesture

Umbrella pose

Wrapped in ribbon
Detail


Monday, November 25, 2013

Sarah Christine

Here's model Sarah Christine wearing a feather headdress and fringe.  Sketched recently at our Brentwood figure group.


Sarah Christine, kneeling pose

Sarah Christine, heroic pose

Sarah Christine, gesture one
Sarah Christine, gesture two


Sarah Christine, seated pose

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Dutch Crunch

Meet Dutch Crunch of the Undead Betty's Roller Derby!  Sketched at the Brentwood figure group this week.  It was such a treat to draw this beautiful athlete, AKA Haley Barton.











 
 

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Sketching Souzille

This was model Souzille von Schtupp (yes, it's a stage name) dressed as little red riding hood with a retro checked sun dress and a little white apron.  Sketched recently at the Brentwood figure group.

Pensive


Standing
Detail

Stepping up
Seated gesture
Seated gesture




Saturday, November 9, 2013

More sketches of Aja

Looking like she just stepped out of a Jane Austen novel, Aja DeCoudreaux wore this elegant period gown to our Brentwood figure group one recent evening. 
 
White gloves
Pensive
Reading








Friday, November 8, 2013

Oktoberfest Figure Sketches

It was Oktoberfest night at our Brentwood figure group and fabulous models Aja DeCoudreaux and Susan Monson were dressed to polka!  Susan's character was "Greta on the Rhine" with a sultry, cabaret look.  So fun to draw both of them!
Susan Monson as Greta on the Rhine
Greta surveys the scene
Aja and Susan ham it up
Two frauleins
Greta puckers up








Friday, August 16, 2013

The Brushoffs Drawing Class

The Brushoffs are a group of artists who meet on Fridays at the Summerset Clubhouse in Brentwood, California.  They usually work on watercolor paintings with artist/instructor extraordinaire Sue Clanton, but this month I'm subbing for Sue with a focus on drawing. 

Today our topic was light and shadow -- how to see it, understand it and render it on a two-dimensional surface.  I started by demonstrating with a lamp to illustrate the different zones of light, shade and shadow an artist can usually expect to see.  Then we jazzed things up with some colored light bulbs and saw how the color and temperature of light can produce surprising, richly colored shadows and bounce-light.

Our first drawing project was a simple cube and sphere study with basic light and shadow effects using charcoal and white pastel on brown paper.  The artists then arranged some blocks and balls under strong lamplight and drew their set-up, considering the cast-shadow shapes an important part of the composition and carefully observing and rendering the subtle effects of light and shadow.  The results were really impressive!  Great composition, dramatic lighting and beautifully-rendered three-dimensional form.  Way to go, you guys!
Virginia

Zoe

Lilly and Linda

Pat and Sharon

J.J.
J.J.

Virginia

Zoe

Lilly



Linda and Lilly

Sharon

Pat's drawing





Virginia

Lilly

Linda

Zoe



 
The group's work



Linda's drawing


Virginia's study

Lilly's drawing

Virginia's drawing

Zoe's drawing, "A Square Peg in a Round Hole"

J.J.s drawing

Sharon's drawing