Figurative Studies

[WV.Artistry]

Bouguereau study .. sketch experiment #37, charcoal and pigment on fugitive toned background.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_37_ULa.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_37_ULb2.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_37_ULc.jpg

[PattJ]

Welcome to the forum! The blend of this background and the charcoal have a pleasing effect......sort of dreamy and subtle. I like it.

Are you interested in critiques, or are you just sharing for our enjoyment?

Pat

[macrobertson]

I like the result of this experiment!... pigment is a kind of vague description of what you used!

Mac

[Rosic]

Richard... so good to have you back in action... you were missed! This type of study has become synonymous with you... I love it! Please do explain the technique in greater detail.
Bern

[MarkMark]

I think it is quite lovely

[WV.Artistry]

Thanks for looking .. I used blue food coloring to mottle the background (faux blue paper), not archival. It's also fugitive in the short-term, because it gets oddly absorbed by the charcoal or scratched off -- unintentional purply hues, and erroneous white values. It was an experiment I wanted to try to mimic a substance used by Rubens and Leonardo -- Bouguereau lent the pose.

[WV.Artistry]

Sketch #51 in Field Journal : Open-Studio with an Actor

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_51_UL3.jpg

[WV.Artistry]

Sketch #56 & #57 in Field Journal : (preliminary studies for an oil painting in red chalk)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_56_UL_WC.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_57_UL2_WC.jpg

[Rosic]

Richard... I could spend hours looking through your field journal.
How is Gallery Orlando going? I know you have put much of yourself into it.
B

[WV.Artistry]

Like anything .. it's a balancing act, and I have to set priorities that make time for me to be an artist. I'm part of an exhibit opening Friday night, on a plane next week to Pennsylvania, get back a week later, and take 2 works to an exhibit opening that evening. Need to get one of them to the framers today or it won't be ready .. so I'd better logoff now :)

Hope to get a little plein air done in Pennsylvania, but I've started a painting I'm packing with me and that has a priority. It will be incomplete work .. but on exhibit the 16th for a few days, weird huh? But, that layer of paint needs a few days to dry anyway <<shrug>>

Most of the sketch work in the field journal is done having a cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe, in between a schedule .. weeds growing up through the sidewalk.

[rimbauds shop]

Very striking. You have a lovely individual style and I'm hoping you get to squeeze in more posts between rushing from one hectic moment to the next.

[WV.Artistry]

Very striking. You have a lovely individual style and I'm hoping you get to squeeze in more posts between rushing from one hectic moment to the next.

Thanks for looking .. (and to prior posters, et.al.)

This isn't ready to post, but here's the rough start of a painting-to-be. I hope to complete the sketch by the weekend, and have the turp wash dried by Tuesday .. This painting will be a child of the wind -- just like me :)

w/i/p : Study and Rendition of Echo after the painting "Echo and Narcissus" by John Waterhouse

24"x36" (61x91.4cm)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Jun-2005/62433-echo_wip_0602_ULv3.jpg

[WV.Artistry]

Sketch #32 in Field Journal / Sketch #41 on Paper
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_32_UL.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_41_UL.jpg

[WV.Artistry]

w/i/p
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Jun-2005/62433-wip_0604v1.jpg

[DanaT]

These are lovely Richard. Your work has such a painterly feel. I wish you success with your gallery. A field journal is an ambitious project, how do you go about it may I ask? This could be a good technique to get some practice in.

[mkap.garde]

ooh I really like these. They do have a vey nice unique style. Like the old style but, with you're individuality.Thank you for posting them.

[WV.Artistry]

Thanks for looking ..

Oil #80 : study of a young woman, Elisabeth
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/14-Jun-2005/62433-080_Elisabeth.jpg

Detail :
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/14-Jun-2005/62433-080_Elisabeth_Detail.jpg

[MarkMark]

I still love the first one. I re read my comment to it and it came across a little condecending given justhow nice the work is. I started a prep sketch yestersay using oil on paper, my initial sketch was in charcol and I suddenly realised just how nice tis medium can be. YOur drawings here are amazing.THanks for sharing

[WV.Artistry]

. .THanks for sharing
Thanks for looking Mark(s), .. painted that in Pennsylvania, Sunday and Monday in the afternoons. She was sitting on her back porch. Would've liked to have spent more time with it, but I returned to Orlando today (Tuesday).

Looking forward to seeing your experiments develop.

The Bouguereau study (first one) is on exhibit this Thursday (June 16th) at "Nude Night" here in Orlando. Should be an interesting evening :D I'll run with your vote of confidence and do a companion for it to exhibit. And if it resembles the first experiment, I'll post you the details. Some of the materials I use are here : Materials (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3582134&postcount=43)

Red Chalk (or Red Ochre Pigment)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_31_UL_WC.jpg

Bistre
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_B.jpg

Blueish Paper
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_48_v2UL.jpg

Purply Paper
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_53_UL.jpg

Seque into another conversation
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_xx_UL_WC.jpg

[Rosic]

Ah yes... been missing stuff like this... keep 'em coming Richard!
Bern

[WV.Artistry]

Saturday morning sculpture class 20050618 :

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Jun-2005/62433-20050618_a.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Jun-2005/62433-20050618_b.jpg

[WV.Artistry]

Oil #81 : Study of John Singer Sargent, "Girl from Capri, Ana"
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jun-2005/62433-Capri_UL_wip_4.jpg

[WV.Artistry]

Worked on this Bouguereau study a little bit . .
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Jun-2005/62433-Etude_wip_1.jpg

[WV.Artistry]

Sketch #60 in Field Journal : Degas, Lacing Her Dancing Shoe
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Jun-2005/62433-Sketch_60_UL_WC.jpg
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[beebluefern]

Richard you have done some beautiful work with all of these-quite lovely and very emotional pieces. Lots and lots of talent-I wish you much success with your career. Well done!

[WV.Artistry]

Oil #83 : Study of Woman with Auburn Hair

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Jun-2005/62433-Auburn_UL_wip_2.jpg
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[beebluefern]

Richard, this is just lovely...very emotional piece I think. Your work is so expressive and I especially like the atmosphere you have in your paintings-it just tells such stories! Very well done!! :clap: :clap:

[macrobertson]

Richard,I agree with the comments here you are getting a lot of expression and feeling with the different mediums, and plenty of practice!

Mac

[WV.Artistry]

Thanks . .

Quick sketch of a local sculptor/painter who sat for us in the gallery downtown as the last of sunset fell through the window.

Sketch #61 : Brown Packing Paper
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_61_UL_WC.jpg
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[billiam]

your on a roll. lovely. bill

[WV.Artistry]

Saturday morning sculpture class 20050709:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jul-2005/62433-20050709a.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jul-2005/62433-20050709b.jpg

[mkap.garde]

ooh I really like these. Leaves the rest up to ones own imagination. Good job.

[beebluefern]

Richard, just looking at your Saturday morning drawings-I think these are so lovely-they remind me of 3D stone rubbings-there are the breaks where the medium doesn't meet the paper, yet in those spaces appear the rest of the figure..in the mind...you have the completed work. Just how I see it. It's just amazing work that you are doing! Well done! Hope things are going well and as planned with your career!

[WV.Artistry]

The model moves around a bit for the different sculptor students and their pieces, anatomy discussions, breaking, etc., so I have limited time to catch what I can as "an observer" in the class. But I'm beginning to see some improvement over time with these life studies. It's such an entirely different gear to work in vs. a stationary subject.

Thanks for looking . .

[macrobertson]

Richard, very textural, and particularly 2 has a feel of solidity and movement.

Mac

[Adair_P]

Hi Richard
I'm just loving those sculptural drawings of yours... incredible. :clap:
And the others.... well, I'm just sitting here and ejoying them.... like sitting back in a superb gallery and taking them all in. (sigh) :envy:

Thanks for those, keep them coming. :)
Cheers...
Pauline

[WV.Artistry]

Hi Pauline :)

Here's something I'm working on. Got the easy part done . .

Sketch #62 : w/i/p
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_62_WIP_1_UL_WC.jpg
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[Adair_P]

Hi Richard...... absolutely incredible what you can do with a piece of fabric. The colour subtleties in the folds are superb..... loving it.
Can't wait to see it finished, but it is still beautiful as it is.
Thank you.... more..........? :D (Can't get enough!)
Yes... Bernie will love this.
Cheers...
Pauline

[WV.Artistry]

Next time, I'll do this on the correct side of the paper.

Finis'

Sketch #62 : Study and interpretation of Leonardo's Drapery
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_62_UL_WC.jpg
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[Adair_P]

Hi again Richard.....
Are the colours of the finished painting so different from the one you posted earlier? Maybe it is just the photos giving them completely different looks.
Two very nice studies anyhow ! :clap: What medium?
Cheers..
Pauline

[WV.Artistry]

Hi again Richard.....
Are the colours of the finished painting so different from the one you posted earlier? Maybe it is just the photos giving them completely different looks.
Two very nice studies anyhow ! :clap: What medium?
Cheers..
Pauline

Sorry about that. It's the lighting (and my poor photo skills). The 07/10 photo was taken indoors, at the gallery downtown at night, the second 07/11, outside on an overcast day. If I use a flash, it accents the paper lines. These w/i/p's were taken with a flash :

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_62_WIP_a_UL_WC.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_62_WIP_b_UL_WC.jpg

Materials :
Blue paper
Raw umber pastels
Grey pastels
Willow charcoal
Chalk

[DLJohnson]

Wow Richard!

This is incredible. The detail is especially interesting and then when I looked at the whole study again I saw more. I love how you did this and the pastel, of course.

Did it take you very long? You make me want to finish one of mine, well not really, after seeing yours.

More please!

Donna

[drawright]

Wonderful loose style. Very artistic. One comment on the first one - the head seems a little large. Otherwise very well drawn. Good job

[WV.Artistry]

:wave:

Saturday morning sculpture class 20050716
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_63_WIP_2_UL_WC.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_63_WIP_3_UL_WC.jpg
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[Adair_P]

More wonderful work....... :clap: :clap: :clap:
What colours are you using in the first one here?.... they work so well the way you put them together.
Cheers...
Pauline :wave:

[WV.Artistry]

What colours are you using in the first one here?


Hi Pauline . . . that was basically charcoal and white chalk, but the chamois and stump I used are stained from using red chalk, so it's probably just a happy accident. And I shot the photo outside so it probably picked up light reflecting off a wall.

My photo skills are limited.

Sketch #64 : Profile of a Young Poet
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_64_WIP_1_UL_WC.jpg
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[WV.Artistry]

I had a very strange evening . . experienced something called "fun".

Went to an event, intending to show my supoport but mind my own business, work on a sketch, be out of the way -- instead, women lined up all night long for me to do their portraits and they took off their clothes. Since it was a dimly lit environment, I'm afraid to look at the sketches because I have no idea what they look like. And the last woman was gorgeous -- I couldn't concentrate anymore. Had to apologize because my brain melted.

My feelings at this moment : art is detrimental to the quality of my work.

:)

Have a great week!

[Adair_P]

I had a very strange evening . . experienced something called "fun".

Went to an event, intending to show my supoport but mind my own business, work on a sketch, be out of the way -- instead, women lined up all night long for me to do their portraits and they took off their clothes. Since it was a dimly lit environment, I'm afraid to look at the sketches because I have no idea what they look like. And the last woman was gorgeous -- I couldn't concentrate anymore. Had to apologize because my brain melted.

My feelings at this moment : art is detrimental to the quality of my work.

:)

Have a great week!

Most men could only fantasize about something like that. I bet that wouldn't happen to me or to Mac when we're doing portraits in shopping centres! :D

Oh... and The Young Poet is great... thanks for giving us a look.
Cheers..
Pauline

[macrobertson]

I bet that wouldn't happen to me or to Mac when we're doing portraits in shopping centres! no I'm still waiting!... I think we may need a few more tips from Richard... (hope the brain has returned to normal!)

Mac

[WV.Artistry]

I think we may need a few more tips from Richard...

The friend who invited me was painting nude women.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Jul-2005/62433-rv3.jpg

[macrobertson]

no wonder your brain was melting!

[chsm]

super work, u seem inspired!!!!

[WV.Artistry]

Sketch #65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . / Sketch #71
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_65_UL.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_71_UL.jpg
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[WV.Artistry]

Saturday morning sculpture class 20050723:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_73_UL.jpg
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[WV.Artistry]

Sketch #75 : Coeur D'Alene
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_75_UL.jpg
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[Art_at_43]

Great work!

[WV.Artistry]

Great work!
Thanks for looking.

Sketch #76 in Field Journal :
Study of Leonardo's "Lady of the Dishevelled Hair"
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_76_UL.jpg

Notes : Discussion still considers this possibly one of the preliminary sketches for his lost painting, "Leda and the Swan"
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[WV.Artistry]

2004 photo of sketch tools
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Jul-2005/62433-2004_Tools.jpg

2005 photo of sketch tools
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Jul-2005/62433-2005_Tools.jpg

Note : the dust in the 2004 photo is red ochre pigment from a mine in France. Very messy, but a much more rich color than sanguine. Also received from a WC user in Hawaii some dirt the natives use for water color painting, ground into a fine dust, it's a reddish-brown color.

[WV.Artistry]

Sketch #78 : Anna

http://myfilestash.com/userfiles/r601020/Sketch%20%2378%20UL.jpg
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[WV.Artistry]

Saturday morning sculpture class 20050730 :

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_791.jpghttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Jul-2005/62433-Sketch_792.jpg

[Adair_P]

Hi Richard...
Anna is stunning! And I love the chiselled figures too.
Love looking at your work..
Cheers.. :wave:
Pauline

[Rosic]

Richard... Anna looks great! Thanks for sharing the photo of your working tools. That red does stand out.
Bern

[Striver]

Hello Richard
Just having a peek
Les

[macrobertson]

Richard, always interesting to see what tools are being used, I like that last portrait.
My dial up is having trouble handling so many images on one thread!!

Mac

[Rosic]

My dial up is having trouble handling so many images on one thread!!

Mac
Mine too Richard... Maybe it's time for Figurative Studies II... :wave:
I'm placing a link to this one in the our reference library under Hall of Fame - the Figure staff's favorite artwork from the forum ...
Bern

[WV.Artistry]

Okay, close the thread -- I'll start F2 with the next post.

Thanks for looking all :wave:
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[Rosic]

Not going to close it Richard... people still may want to comment on your work and converse about your techniques on these. I posted a link in the HOF thread just because this one is HOF material... gave it 5 stars.

Glad you are going to start another one though... :)
B