EVENING STROLL 2 – PASTEL PAINTING

This is a modified painting which  I posted some time ago. When I first posted it I had some reservations about certain aspects. Then, the other day as I was searching through some old paintings, I came across it again and took a moment to reconsidered it and realised that my issues could be addressed. One problem was the central tree which I modified and then I enhanced the main field and strengthened the top field. It may have moved away from the original scene, but it was a bit of a combination of views in the first place, broadly based on the Wear Valley in Durham City.

Other landscapes are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart

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WAITING TO CROSS THE STRAND – PASTEL PAINTING

I wanted to try some more townscapes and get a little more rawness into the image. This is one of Liverpool with the Liver Building silhouetted in the background. I have done this view before and put it on the blog,  but getting figures in this time and making them prominent gives the image more depth and vitality.

Other townscapes including those of Liverpool are available on my website grahammcquadefineart.com

 

 

COCKTAIL HOUR – PASTEL PAINTING

Just wanted to try this scene in pastels. I liked the light  and the complementary green and reds to which I added to keep the rhythm going.  The figures seem a little stiff now that they are up on the screen, but I was trying  out a subject that was more than a life model pose and which contained some context. This is something I would like to explore  further.

Other pastels of figurative subjects are available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

A FEW BREAKS IN THE CLOUD – PASTEL PAINTING

I was thinking of getting my oils out for this one but decided that first I might just sketch it out in pastels, and here is the result. I certainly like the lost and found edges lending an air of mystery to the piece and the way the land dissolves into the atmosphere.

I took it from a couple of photos combing the best bits although I am a little unsure of the darkness that pervades the bulk of the image even though, as I keep telling myself,  this is necessary to state the highlights.

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

REMAINING DRAWINGS – PASTEL PAINTINGS

At one life group I attend they seem to make things as difficult as they can to work. Here they insist on two models who then turn up late and before the main pose the group decide to do some ‘warm-up’ sketches, as if there is some chance of pulling a muscle when lifting your charcoal. Then as soon as you get started it’s time for a tea break. This is what I managed. I did like the way the female sat languidly in the light, though I think that right knee of the male could do with a touch of remodelling.

This one, at a more organised session,  was as much about taking out as putting down. I wanted a rougher feel to the work and think I got it.

Finally a more staid pose, but the turned up foot posed some difficulty.

Other life paintings area available on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com  

A CLUTCH OF FIGURES AND PORTRAITS – PASTEL PAINTINGS

The demonstrations I have just done have disrupted my chance to paint, so I am a bit short of material for the post, but I still managed to get out and do some pastel work at

some of the life and portrait sessions so here are the latest, Some I am pleased with and others, well …

I was after a punchy image, but the lighting at these sessions is very poor so I have resorted to squinting and compacting the mid-tones to try and inject some tonal energy.

If I stick to the plan it starts to work, but then I sometimes go off piste and the effect gets lost.

Then, it’s all good practice.

Other life drawing and portraits are available for purchase on my website: grahammcquadefineart.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