MAN OF THE BROTH – PASTEL PAINTING

I initially had a notion of this painting from a side view incorporating the steam from the soup against a dark background. Looking for suitable images to use I came across one of my dad, but a frontal view. Unfortunately he was wearing a hat and had no shirt which was a step too far for me, so I changed that, and added a book.

The real problem came in filling the 50x65cm sheet. I rescoped the head a couple of times, to try to ensure that sheet was filled, but despite all this I only managed 2/3 of the paper and with all the chopping and changing I lost the likeness – well, it’s a bit like him, but I’ve done better – perhaps a candidate for another attempt.

Compared to that the reworking of the Cambodian woman (an image I posted a couple of weeks ago as a smaller sketch) came out so much easier on this larger format – perhaps there was more to squeeze in so I was struggling to include rather than fill it out.

I might do a bit of tweaking to this yet, but in the main I am happy with it. Perhaps this larger format allows more detail and nuance giving it, for me, more authority.

Other figurative work is available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

Advertisements

CAMBODIAN WOMAN – PASTEL SKETCH

Being a bit tied up with family issues I just had time to sketch out this portrait of a Cambodian Lady I spotted when I paused on a cycle ride by a river near Battambang – the second city of Cambodia. The light on her face accentuated her features as she squatted by some sugar cane that she had collected. I have a few pictures of different people of southeast Asia I took on my recent travels and was considering creating a small collection.

Other figurative work is available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

NIGHT MARKET – PASTEL SKETCH

Another of the street food series. I liked the oranges against the blues. I couldnt quite decipher what the stall was selling but the poses of the stall holder and customers was interesting. I’m still exploring the subject at the moment and even deciding what medium to use, though with pastel I seem to be getting a dynamic effect.

Other night scenes are available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

MORE FIGURATIVE STUDIES – PASTEL PAINTINGS

I had planned to look at developing a more forceful and abstract style to my life paintings. I wanted to experiment with the many sketches that I have and explore possibilities and new approaches away from the constraints and distractions a life session imposes, such as finding a viewpoint, contending with poor lighting or being herded into quick sketches – things that drive you into resorting to the same old approach in order to get something down in the time that’s left.

As you can see so far I havent had that time to make such leap and have drifted back into life groups after my holiday. Here are a couple of recent studies. Hopefully I will make some progress in the weeks ahead – well I have a plan anyway.

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

STREET FOOD – PASTEL PAINTING

In Bangkok, as in every town and city, in south east Asia there are stalls offering fresh food and drink along the roadsides and in night markets. I thought I might explore some of the images I collected along the way. I like the spotlit figures surrounded by an almost abstract background. For me, there is a theatricality about them which adds to their draw.

This picture is developed from a number I took in Sathorn, a district in Bangkok, where we had just had a meal sat out on the pavement.

Other pastel figurative paintings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

LOW TIDE – PASTEL PAINTING

A day at the seaside up in Cumbria: I spotted these rock poolers on their summer holidays and took a few photos. The lad quickly wandered off but I caught a pose as he stood by another pool and in this painting drew him in a position that gave some narrative.

Other seaside paintings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

A CLUTCH OF LIFE STUDIES – PASTEL AND ACRYLIC PAINTINGS

After posting a long string of watercolours I have accumulated some life work done at various sessions in the new year.

I am a little dissatisfied with my life output particularly after my session with Crawfurd Adamson just before Christmas.

The lighting in many of our local sessions is absysmal and the poses are staid. Trying to get input is difficult as the people running the sessions do not really want or understand the options possible.

I even gave two of the session leaders at different groups a book of poses to help stimulate some variety, but neither was interested.

So all you get is people sitting stiffly on chairs – which is ok, but not everytime.

I am about to go on holiday and have decided that when I return I am going to take some time away from the life studio and work from photographs and sketches and experiment with different styles and techniques. I find this approach difficult in live sessions as you go into them not knowing the model or the pose and because of overcrowding most times you cant even select a viewpoint – on Saturday I was even restricted from sitting or standing, because it affected those behind me.

Anyway enough of this – you can see I need a holiday!

Other life drawing is available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com