2nd Figure drawing & Portrait painting in progress...

At the Ryder Studio School, we have been working on a 5-week portrait painting of "Crystal" which is still in progress (pic below). Started with a poster study, portrait drawing on canvas, "inking in", & spent much time doing a "color wash" which is basically putting a base cover of diluted paint, paying much attention to hue and value to prep for the "form painting" or final painting. The color wash is also a great way to create a glow of color that will shine thru under the form painting... creating a more realistic, three-dimensional effect. Still alot more to go on Crystal... will post progress.

Prior to the painting, we were also able to work on another 1-week figure drawing of "Ariel". I had alot of fun working on Ariel & was excited to get a teeny-tiny bit more accomplished than the last figure drawing.



Detail of "Crystal"
Mostly color wash ... have begun form painting on left shoulder, shadow under chin, left cheek and eye, & a bit over right eye.



End of 1st Pose

So I may not have finished the drawing as much as I would have liked...  But i'm glad to have spent the time carefully analyzing the facial details within the light and shadow. Overall I had a great time working on "Crystal" & could definitly use another week!



1/2 way there...

So it's the middle of the week... & I'm supposed be 1/2 way to finishing the drawing of Crystal. Hmmm. Well, atleast shes got some hands & a face! Should be interesting to see how close I come to finishing by the end of friday. :)

Middle of week:
partially done- "Crystal"

 

Beginning of 5-day pose...

This week I have felt very much in my element. Drawing is what I am most familiar with... & lucky for me we will be working on the same drawing/ pose for the entire week! Can't wait to dive in & hopefully end up with a beautiful figure drawing by friday...





Start of week:
Beginning of drawing- "Crystal"



End of Week Two!

After 2 weeks of poster studies to perfect our ability to see color & light correctly, it's time to move onto drawing. Sigh. It has been a challenging first couple weeks but I am so greatful and feel a bit more confident as a painter. I never would have guessed making small, detail-less paintings would be so complex and difficult, but I can understand why these studies are such an important basis to any painting.

Last day of poster studies at the studio

A couple of  my completed poster studies

Do you know the way to Santa Fe... ?

After driving 3 days from Orlando, FL to Santa Fe, NM (with the help of my lovely father) ... I was soooo pumped to begin my 9-month portrait painting and figure drawing training at the Ryder Studio School. Knowing I would be able to live and breathe painting and drawing under the guidance of such an esteemed and respected instructor, Tony Ryder... I couldn't wait to get started!

The first 2 weeks of class involve just poster studies- painting small 4x6's of the model without details, but with strong precision as to the color relationships and the influence of light. It has been a week and a half since beginning classes and I think I may be in painting overload. My dreams at night involve mixing paint colors. I have come to the point of no return... there's no escape from seeing life through painters' eyes. Even looking at simple, mundane objects thoughout the day has changed. The side of a gray building to me now is seen in multiple shades of colors as light hits each area differently. Evening shadows no longer seem black or gray... but I see warmth and coolness, purples, blues and cadmium reds! I guess thats what happens to you when your hunched over an easel, staring at paint colors for 6 hours a day. I'm just waiting for that moment of pure bliss when I finally feel like I really know what i'm doing. In the mean time I am trying to keep in mind a quote that Tony had said during one of his incredible, analogy-filled demos, "Your mind wants to be doing something fascinating." For me, this little mind is completely fascinated at the moment... taking in each new day with wide eyes. It doesn't help that the natural scenary here in Santa Fe is so uniquely beautiful and inspiring.

Mountainous view from my casita <3