12x18 pastel princess

results of aborted sketching session

This time I went out in the middle of the day but got called back before I got very far. It was my second attempt to paint today. The first time after being released I got called back before I could start.

I am using an old box of nupastels, probably about 24 colors. It's hard to tell as it's an old box and it's all broken up. I generally have to blend the colors to get the shade and value that I want. For instance to get the sky, I used 3 blues and white. I generally start by sketching in the main shapes with a pastel stick close to the color of the paper. I use a cloth rag to wipe away my mistakes. Once I got the general shapes in I start to put in the darker base color then blend in the lighter colors on top. I like to stop at the top of the paper and work my way down to keep from dragging my jacket sleeve over the paper. I'm just using a drawing board and sitting on the ground. Looks like I'm free this morning so will try again, but now it's early morning so will have to start a new sketch. It looks like it will be sunny again.

9x12 Pastel Sketch of Indy House

Only had an hour before sunset to quick block this in. I think I got the proportions right but I didn't match the roof and green trim colors. I also couldn't see the right side of the building because a truck was parked there so made up something. I could see mountains in the distance. It's nice here, you can see really far. I might work some more on it but didn't bring workable fixative with me which is not available here. Also I think next time I paint this house I might move a little bit to the left. I put my garbage down on a pile of dirt to sit up a little higher. We'll see how much time I have and if the weather cooperates. (Yesterday it snowed.) As soon as it hits 5pm here the wind picks up and my hands get cold and stiff.

 

Also here is a picture my sister took of me. I think the colors in her photo are a bit washed out due to the bright sun. I felt that I got the color of the house walls correct and the intensity of the sky was pretty close too.

9x12 pastel of building that used to house railroad workers in Antonito Colorado 2/27/14

The temperature was approaching 40+ and it was mostly sunny so I headed out to sketch something, I was going to do the old train station but then I liked the color of the old railroad worker dormitory with the train overlapping it in front. I had to blend olive green, a medium blue, and white to get the right shade of green. It was partly cloudy with blue sky and dark clouds so the colors were very intense at times in certain areas and dark in others. I think I managed to get the color of weeds the right shade and the part of the railroad car. I used purple to make the dark sky but should have added touches to other parts of the painting to balance it out. I didn't get everything perfect as I couldn't find a good windbreak so my hands got cold and stiff before I wanted to quit. I'll have to remember to bring gloves. The wind was pretty fierce. It took my full box of rembrandt pastels and rolled it. It was so windy I had to tape all around the paper not just the corners. I also didn't need to bang the board to get rid of the excess pastel. I only used nupastels for this drawing. Don't know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow. I hope it's dry.

Pastel Portrait from MSC sketching session

Gregg brought his guitar and played a few songs for us. I'm pleased with how his skin tone turned out. I think 3/4 views are a little difficult to get proportion right. He had cool hair that was fun to draw.

Conte Crayon Portraits 1/21/14

I'm trying to get faster so tried to complete two in our 2 hour session at sketch club. Still having trouble with three quarter side view. Liked drawing her hair, eyes, and nose.

Some watercolor sketches