CHARCOAL AND INK – LIFE ROOM SKETCHES

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My painting has been disrupted by moving all my stuff to accommodate Christmas guests. I am in the process of moving back, but taking the opportunity to clear stuff out. So painting is a bit slow and this isnt helped by trying to update my website at the same time.

In the process of sorting and binning, I came across these sketches done at various life sessions during last year, so I thought I might post a few.

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As you can see most are people sat in chairs – the favoured pose in these parts. Looking through the work has made me resolving to do more pen and ink. Once the mark is down theres no going back, so you paint by the seat of your pants, whereas charcoal can be corrected.

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Other life drawings and paintings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

LIFE DRAWINGS – PASTEL AND CHARCOAL

The organiser was away for this session so I got the model to strike a more compact pose. It also helped that the session was not as full, so I was able to move into a better position. Normally at this session you can get there half an hour before the start and you are still having to squeeze yourself into  the little space that is left.

The figure above was sparsely done, using the paper  as a tone, but I did like the cushion she rested her arms on.

I did this in about 50 minutes in an evening session where they spend most of the time doing quick poses. I dont normally take my pastels to this session, because of the lack of time. Here I just banged in some primary colours and I was quite pleased with the result.

I normally do these charcoal studies at the evening sessions. You have enough time to make a measured drawing, consider your marks and  develop tone. I also find the constant rushing of quick poses leaves me skittish and hyper, like I’ve just consumed five cups of coffee. So before I start these longer 50 minute poses I need to pause, slow down and consider, before I start a measured piece.

And sometimes you wonder why you bothered. Well I tried.

Other life drawings for sale are available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

A CLUTCH OF PASTEL AND CHARCOAL LIFE DRAWINGS

I  have been doing work in dry media recently after  a notice appeared, from the landlord of one of the groups I attend,  decreeing that paint should not go down the drain in the building. Despite my protestations that this was a ridiculous constraint for an art group nothing has changed. I even asked the secretary of the group to find out from the landlord what their concerns were and told the secretary how we might reduce blockage risks, but he seemed more concerned with defending the landlord than serving the club and its members – and he still hasn’t got back to me .

Now, after seeing members of the committee disposing of paint down the drain, I might restart my acrylic work. Anyway, before my blood pressure rises any more,  here are the rest of my paintings:

  Other life drawings and paintings for sale can be found on my website: grahammcquadefinearts.com

A CLUTCH OF SEATED FIGURES – PASTEL AND CHARCOAL DRAWINGS

I  was trying for a more emphatic style with these pastels, but the second one slipped a bit in this endeavour. Certainly the light in this venue leaves a lot to be desired.

In fact this girl above announced that she was pregnant so I wonder if she will continue modelling. Here she is in a different session, but still sitting rather stiffly.

Other life drawings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

LIFE DRAWINGS – CHARCOAL

Last week I discarded the last crutch and the doctor gave me the ok to drive, so I started to return to the life sessions. I eased myself in with some charcoal drawings.

I might even have a look at a portrait group which meets weekly, now that I can drive again.

Other life drawings and paintings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

 

TONAL LIFE PAINTINGS IN VARIOUS MEDIAS – INK & WASH, CHARCOAL, PASTEL, WATERCOLOUR

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I had a number of sketches in my book done as tonal work in various media. The first one is ink and wash. I use Quink ink which is permanent. As soon as its down it stays, so you need to think about mark making before you proceed. The next one is watercolour, with a drawing in pencil. I have loads of Paynes Gray which I now never use. So I thought this would be a suitable outlet. It doesn’t have the power of the ink, but you can correct and manipulate it more.

The third is charcoal which is a media I have never got to grips with despite many tries. The fourth is pastel on a slightly toned paper. The pastel allows me to use both back and white and I find the depth of tone you can achieve very exciting.

The final painting is back to the paynes grey watercolour.

All were done in under an hour in the life sessions I go to.

Other life work can ne found on the gallery page of my website grahammcquadefineart.com