Recent drawings - LifeART

Malcolm@Westby · April 21st, 2008, 22:24

I finally got round to taking photos of some of my recent drawings. The first three are from Preston Life Drawing Group and the fourth was at Preston Arts Society on Saturday. The first three are in crayon and the fourth dry pastel pencil. All use the "trois crayon" approach - sanguine, white and brown (with a touch of black on the last one!). In the process, I learned that pastel or chalk will not sit on top of crayon and must make a note to take some fixative with me in future (thanks Dave!). The fourth drawing is more detailed as it was from a longer pose. I'm quite happy with the overall feel of them but (seeing them as photos) am aware that I must concentrate on hands and feet in future - they're mostly just shapeless lumps!

For reference they are Suzanne, Caro, Ingi and Laura - all excellent models.

Malcolm

Big Frog · April 21st, 2008, 22:32

Hi Malcolm, it's great to see more of your work on here! Lovin' the one of Laura, you have really captured her amazing shape.

Malcolm@Westby · April 21st, 2008, 22:56

Hi Dave

Thanks for your response. It was great to be able to spend a bit longer on the pose on Saturday. It's easy to get completely absorbed in the subtleties of tone in such a well toned body!

Malcolm@Westby · October 16th, 2008, 20:13

Following BF's post of last night's work, here's a couple of mine from the same session. I must make more of an effort to post a bit more - especially as I'm a regular "lurker" and read everybody else's contributions without making many of my own. I'll certainly echo his comments about Curvy - a very good model. The rear view is from the 25 minute pose, the side view was longer at about an hour (I confess that I've cropped Curvy's head - which I really wasn't happy with. Actually, looking at it again, I can see that there's something wrong with the length of her right calf as well - but that's not her fault!). Both done with soft Conté pencils on an ochre-y pastel paper and snapped with a little digital camera.

Big Frog · October 16th, 2008, 21:57

Hey those are great Malcolm! It's lovely to see the poses from a different angle.

Thanks for posting!

Curvy · October 17th, 2008, 06:31

They are lovely Malcolm - thank you for posting them on here. I agree with BF, for me as the model I find it fascinating the see the poses from so many different angles. When I am posing I really haven't a clue how it will look to the artists.

bernard w · October 17th, 2008, 07:17

Very nice drawings Malcolm. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Bernard
PS I forgot to add - well done to Curvy too

DennisS · October 17th, 2008, 12:58

Nice drawings - what paper are you using? I must try using a coloured ground myself.P.S. Same question to you B.F. if you are looking in!

Big Frog · October 17th, 2008, 14:38

Hi Dennis,
I'm using sheets of pastel paper. The brand is Murano (I think!) and costs a pound or so for an A2 sheet. I have been tearing it in half lately (before I draw on it, NOT after!... usually).

The reason I was originally tempted to use coloured papers is that I naturally draw very heavily with overly strong confident lines. Using toned papers and coloured pastels has helped me to keep things muted. If things get over emphasized I can bring out a darker tone and bring forth other elements of the drawing to reset the balance.

Malcolm@Westby · October 21st, 2008, 22:10

Hi Dennis

Sorry. Please forgive the delay. I didn't notice your question about paper. The 2 most recent pictures were done on Daler Rowney paper in one of those mixed colour pastel books you can buy (about A3). But I use a range of different papers - including halved sheets (of I think Canson Ingres) bought from Granthams. My favourite brown sketching paper has now been discontinued by Schollershammer. It was called Student #2 and there appears to be none left in the whole world!!

Malcolm@Westby · February 12th, 2009, 22:02

For a variety of reasons, I've been away from home for a few weeks and away from drawing sessions since Christmas! It was a welcome relief to be able to get to Lytham on Tuesday and Preston on Wednesday. As a bonus, I shall also be able to get to a new group (to me anyway) run by a friend in Stafford on Friday morning. Considering my lack of practice, I was quite pleased with the week's results so far. They are all on toned paper with Conte pastel pencils. Anyway,the attached are from Lytham and of Donna, who managed some brilliant poses (in particular - the second one). Times were - 12 mins, 12 mins, 15 mins and about 45 mins. To my mind, the third quick one is the most successful.

Malcolm@Westby · February 12th, 2009, 22:05

And these are the ones from Preston. They are of Claire and around 25 mins, 20 mins and 50 mins.

MissDondons · February 12th, 2009, 23:20

Great to see how those turned out :D
I really like them alot, my arm was on the verge of dying in that last one where it was wrapped around the back of my head, but seeing the nice picture it produced makes it all worth it! I really enjoyed the evening, it seemed to fly by. Very welcoming and friendly group and brilliant venue! I look forward to next week

Big Frog · February 13th, 2009, 07:49

Excellent drawings Malcolm, I love the third one of Donna too, it's your best life study I have seen so far! I like the hair especially and the overall looseness of the sketch.

Donna,
I felt your pain as soon as I saw your arm in Malcolm's drawing! Well done. I am now working in East Sussex for about a month so I hope your modelling goes okay next week at Lytham and with Siobhan's group on Sunday.

Malcolm@Westby · February 13th, 2009, 19:20

Thanks Donna and BF for your nice comments. Had an interesting session in Stafford this morning. When I get a moment I'll post some pictures. Unfortunately, circumstances mean that I've missed a lot of Lytham sessions this term (annoying - especially as these sessions were the main reason that I joined the Arts Society in the first place!). I can't be there for the last session next week. Similarly annoying is the fact that I had been part of the discussions leading up to the formation of Siobhan's new Sunday group (that's also where I have my own studio) and I haven't been able to get to one of those either.

Hopefully, life may return to some normality at the beginning of March and I can get on with some work!

Curvy · February 20th, 2009, 16:03

Hi Malcolm - there are some stunning drawings there of both Donna and Claire.
My favourite if also the 3rd pose of Donna's.
Alex

Malcolm@Westby · March 8th, 2009, 22:30

At last, I've been able to start getting to the "long pose" sessions in Preston. So far, I've been to two of them and been painting (as opposed to drawing) from life for the first time in a very long while. I've added two pictures (last and this week's sessions) to my gallery over on Lifeart.org. I'm posting them here too as I'm not sure what crossover there is between viewers of both sites.

Both are about 9" x 14" and on primed, laminated hardboard which has a couple of coats of gesso and a raw sienna undercoat. There's probably a bit less than 3 hours' painting on each. The first image (last Sunday's) has a lot wrong with it - but it could have been much worse. I wasn't being very systematic in my approach - plus, because of various circumstances, I'd been a few weeks without even doing any drawing from life.

The second one (this week's) is a development (same pose) and this time I was more systematic and did a monochrome underpainting to get some tonal values (raw umber) followed by a "dead" flesh layer before even thinking about colour. The drawing could still be better and there's too much white on her hair - but I'm moderately encouraged!!!

They were taken on my phone - so the quality is not too hot!

Big Frog · March 8th, 2009, 23:02

It's great to see these Malcolm! I'm so jealous of not getting down to these sessions.

Give my regards to all the gang

jakopo · March 9th, 2009, 14:36

It's great to see your work. I'm just jealous that I'm not up there in the North West. Why we ever left Chester I'll always regret. I still visit for work reasons and who knows might make it for a painting/drawing session.
Seeing your work raises a question in my mind. They are consistently good. Mine range from the good to the ghastly with the emphasis on the latter. And I put that down to the way I am feeling at the time. Don't know why I'm blathering on like this. So I'll stop.
Cheers
Jack

Malcolm@Westby · March 10th, 2009, 10:24

BF - Unfortunately, I'm having to be away during midweeks and I'm not getting to many Wednesdays at the moment. There's no doubt that the Wednesday drawing session would be helping the Sunday painting session!

Jack - I only post the good(ish) ones!

Believe me - I've a huge pile of drawings in the studio that will never be seen by anyone else but me! BTW, you'd be made very welcome at a drawing session in Preston.

slovakhorse · March 21st, 2009, 21:48

Hi Malclom
Its amazing to think you put that amount down in a single long pose,it puts my long method to shame,to create that amount of delicacy of subtle tone through colour in flesh observation is difficult.How long is your long pose class?
I can see the cool tones in the flesh as well as the warm,I like the first one as well as the second and thought it intresting the differing choises of colours from one painting to the next of the same objects for aesthetic reasons.
By the way Malcolm I just bought a couple of books which have a bit on the old monochrome under painting that you might find of intrest:Classical Painting Atelier by juliette Aristides,I prefer the drawing book best.But both are hilarious from a european view point in that youve got a group of artists who have undoubtedly developed their technique to an advanced level but make some shocking cultural faux pas. Slovakhorse

Malcolm@Westby · March 22nd, 2009, 20:34

Hi Slovakhorse (you must give me a clue about your name!)

Oddly enough, I've just bought both those books too! I came across the references to them on an American website called The Art Renewal Centre - I got some out of date podcasts from them for my iPod too. There's a lot of interesting articles on the site - but they have some rather reactionary views too. I came across the books in Waterstones while I was looking for something else completely! Haven't done anything except scan through some of the images. Glad to see that some drawing by Anthony Ryder is included. I just love his work - if you haven't already, check his website. I wish I'd lived in a period (or even America today) where I had the financial resources to study in the "atelier" way!

http://www.artrenewal.org/

http://www.tonyryder.com/

Although I hadn't planned to, I've just spent another couple of hours with the model on the second of those paintings. Here's a new picture and a bit of a close up. I probably won't do anything else on it - it was only intended as an exercise in the first place. We actually engage the model for 4 hours and probably paint for about 3 of those after breaks etc. The pictures are from my mobile phone again - which only has a very rudimentary camera.

MissDondons · March 27th, 2009, 13:06

That phone photo doesn't capture how brilliantly he painted my hair and ear! It was so detailed and life like close up, well done Malcolm

Malcolm@Westby · March 27th, 2009, 22:54

Why - thank you Ma'am!

Hopefully - with the next pose, I'll be there at the beginning and may even get to finish a whole picture!

Curvy · March 27th, 2009, 23:00

Those paintings are beautiful Malcolm (and Donna!!).

RobHoth · March 28th, 2009, 09:08

They are fantastic, well done!

Malcolm@Westby · March 28th, 2009, 18:05

Thanks Alex and Rob.

Malcolm@Westby · April 2nd, 2009, 22:57

Well - I decided to cut this one down to approx 16 x 27 cm (golden rectangle!) and do a little bit of "fettling" in the studio without further reference to the model. I float mounted it in a heavyish black moulded frame with a gold slip and it looks quite tidy. It'll go into a local exhibition and it may even sell - you never know!

studioAIR · April 23rd, 2009, 15:52

Hi Malcolm,

I have returned from the wilderness after a very hectic 6 months. (Rescued by Alex - Curvy)

I just wanted to say as a fellow artist how wonderful it is to see your latest work, especially with your style erring towards the Atelier school of painting. Very difficult to achieve I hasten to add and I am still practising. If you are interested in making your own paints I can give you some good "recipes" for underpainting colours.

I have just started one of Esa at L'Ecole de Beaux Art in Paris (check my Big Nudes Album) using a home made recipe of colours. It is early days, so try not to be too critical.

All the same really loved the picture of Donna and I'm sure you will find a buyer.

kindest regards,

Andrew (ATELIER UK)

Curvy · April 24th, 2009, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by studioAIR

I have returned from the wilderness after a very hectic 6 months. (Rescued by Alex - Curvy)

And it was an absolute pleasure!
Great to see you back Andrew!

Malcolm@Westby · April 26th, 2009, 21:52

Hi Andrew

Welcome back (well done Curvy!) and thanks for your comments. I am intrigued by the atelier system of training and wish I'd been around 150 years ago!. Unfortunately, being past my middle 50's and not having a private income means I'm unlikely to get to "really" do it myself now - although I read and research a lot on the topic and techniques. I chose to do a fine art HND a few years ago - because I respected the work of the guy (a good figurative painter) who ran the course and (in my own little way!) thought of it as a kind of apprenticeship. But - then he went and left after the first year - 'cos he'd had enough of the college politics!!! Mind you he's still a good friend and, although I no longer live in the same town, we talk art, composition and techniques regularly.

I'm treating myself, this summer, to 2 weeks at the London Atelier of Representational Art and hope this will give me some concentrated experience that'll support my work. I've recently bought Juliette Aristides' books "Classical Drawing Atelier" and "Classical Painting Atelier" and they make interesting reading with some wonderful examples of work. http://www.drawpaintsculpt.com/

A fortnight ago, I treated myself to some Michael Harding oil paints. I've been using Alkyd oils for some time now and felt that I now needed longer working/drying times. It's early days yet, but they are wonderful - I could eat them!! I don't think I'll be making my own now. Mind you - I'll need to sell some more work - they're not cheap!! Fortunately, I work with a fairly limited palette of mostly earth colours.
http://michaelharding.co.uk/

Malcolm@Westby · April 26th, 2009, 21:59

Hi Andrew (again)

Where is your Big Nudes album? Is it somewhere on one of the LifeArt sites? I can only find one album. And - what is Atelier UK?

Malcolm

studioAIR · April 29th, 2009, 09:06

Good morning Malcolm,

Thank you for the welcome back. I hope you have a truly wonderful time and artistic experience in London later on in the year.

In answer to your questions ATELIER UK is a trading name that I have adopted for myself and studio in Plymouth. I paint commission work and sell paintings through referral and across the internet and a name helps with their promotion. I am also setting up a website of my own over the next couple of months to promote my own work and that of guest artists who wish to sell and exhibit their work. (www.atelier.uk.com)

My Big Nudes album can be found by going to my member profile in this forum where I have put up a few albums of past work. I am still lost trying to find my way about the lifeart.org site. It must be something to do with middle age!!!

stay creative and kind regards,

Andrew
ATELIER UK

Big Frog · April 29th, 2009, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by studioAIR

I am still lost trying to find my way about the lifeart.org site. It must be something to do with middle age!!!

It couldn't be simpler! Just hit the GALLERY link on the main menu bar, then hit the UPLOAD YOUR IMAGES link on the secondary menu bar. Your images will automatically arrive on your .org profile (if you have one?).

Malcolm@Westby · April 29th, 2009, 21:03

Hi Andrew

Thanks for the reply. Now I know!