SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

PURPLE + YELLOW SKETCH 14" x 11" pastel on paper Last Friday I went to life drawing. Just love the  time engrossed in observing another's  mannerisms. I'm also curious on what the model's actually thinking while posing. Are they at a far-away place, traveling to another location and time? 

Last Wednesday I went drawing at The Artist Studio  in Albuquerque. AND the model did not show up, so  this wonderful person posed rather than draw herself.  And Gina did a fantastic job! Actually she was better thank many of the other models. Below is the initial start of this 2 1/2 hour pose.

PURPLE MODEL 14" h x 11" w pastel sketch Today I spent 1/2 day sketching. And I so enjoy the time to get lost in my thoughts! The above sketch was executed in about 2 hours.

TURBAN  pastel on paper Getting back to my routine - sure feels good!  (& unbelievable 1/2 the month has already gone by!)  So today I went to life drawing and struggled away for 2 hours on a full body image that was going  nowhere. Then jammed this out the last hour. 

FACIAL STUDY  6" x 6" pastel on canvas Wednesdays have been my day of life drawing. And lately I've been playing with different bases to  study the effects with texture and application of color. Above ' Facial Study ', is my preliminary exploration of the model to work out positioning of her facial  features and shadowing, while executing onto a  square piece of canvas. The canvas is quite textured creating a "pebbly" effect with a subtle tone. I had spent about 1 1/2 hours on this before venturing  onto a larger wood substrate. I'll post that tomorrow so you can see the difference in color and texture.

Model on 6/6/18 pastel on paper I really enjoy drawing from life!  Not only to capture the model's personality  and demeanor, but also the opportunity for  me to phase-out life. Amazing how everyday's  turmoils and chores muddle the brain.    

BLONDE MODEL pastel on paper Difficult but pleasing to draw from life. 

RED SKETCH  pastel on paper This was a day of playing with color!  As I drew from life I focused on the application of a  different color palette than I typically use and also strayed away from creating a figurative-accurate image. Do you play? 

WOMEN IN HATS   STRAW HAT                         A JAUNTY POSE pastel sketches on paper Working on my little ladies for the upcoming show, WOMEN IN HATS . So funny that the title has changed several times. Today it's Women In Hats yet I've also labeled it  Many Hats  Women Wear and Many Hats Worn . Hmmm . . . wonder what it will be on opening night? Come and see!

CHROMA + RED  pastel sketch  How can someone look so dismal with all of those colors?

FEATHER HAT 12 x 9" pastel sketch on paper The return of the pink hair - she's such a lovely model! Today she wore a retro' black hat with feathers . . .   jetting with style.

BERET 12" x 9" pastel on paper A quick study with proportions and emotion. 

PENSIVE 12"x 9" pastel on paper Relishing on going drawing today!  Above is my second piece from last week's effort.  Below is another I did awhile back. Different substrates as well as colors really affect the outcome. And I devoted more time to this, so really was able to punch up the colors!  

IN THE POOL Still playing away over here with a paintbrush!  I have been creating sketches with pastel washes. I know many pastelists create art with undertones  of washes with acrylics and watercolors. But I have  been applying water to a cardboard substrate with  added stroking with the pastel sticks. Sure does speed up my typical layered process!  All of this is in preparation for my upcoming  Second Saturday workshop at the San Diego  Museum of Art to be held on Saturday, July 12th.  This is held in conjunction with the Sorolla and America   exhibit, which I hear is amazing! To sign up and read more of the workshop, please click here .

ME 10" h x 8" w red + white conte Retrospect . . .  Reflect . . .  Reminisce. .

PENSIVE pastel sketch I'm grooving again. Here and below are sketches  I've compiled in drawing sessions. Just enjoy the time with my pastels and thoughts,  which wander as I draw away.  Such a delight after stressful days!

PASTEL SKETCH (detail) Monday evening was truly sad for for all Americans.  Our hearts go out to Boston, the racers and their families. So Monday evening I took a reprieve by drawing. Soothed my soul by escaping.