drawings
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020
The Terracotta Army, Xi’an, China – 18H x 24W inches graphite, soft pastel on paper – work in progress. We visited China in 2016 so this is done from my own photos. The drawing looked boring so I added some stylized traditional Chinese characters that translate the title, “Terracotta Army”. Some tones and details need a bit more work. Here’s a link to Wikipedia with info about the sculptures.
Mom and Dad’s Hands
Monday, July 27th, 2020
Mom and Dad’s Hands, 16H x 20W inches graphite on paper. Excerpt from Paul Simon’s “I Don’t Believe” on the album, ‘Surprise’:
“I don’t believe A heart can be filled to the brim Then vanish like mist As though life were a whim”.
Great Egrets
Saturday, July 25th, 2020
Great Egrets, Coppell, Texas – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.
Brooke
Friday, July 12th, 2019
Brooke, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper
Lilies at Butchart Gardens, BC
Sunday, August 5th, 2018
Lilies at the Butchart Gardens, Victoria BC, 18H x 24W inches graphite on 140 lb cold pressed premium. Detail image:
New Zealand sketches
Monday, January 1st, 2018
Agapanthus near Ambury Regional Park, Mangere, New Zealand, 4H x 6W inches quick sketch with WC pencils
Sheep, Mangere park New Zealand, 4H x 6W inches quick sketch with WC pencils
Hannah
Thursday, June 1st, 2017
Hannah, 11 x 14 inches graphite on paper. This was a special commission for a good friend. I no longer offer to do portraits – pets, absolutely – but while I love drawing people, the work and long periods of in-between study I require take too long to warrant what I’d need to charge. There are other artists who specialize in only portraits and do nothing else.
The photo was a very small file, only 500 pixels wide, plus the feet were not in the frame, so initially I thought it impossible to work from, but started anyway. All works on paper begin with taped edges, leaving an inch of border which helps when it comes to framing, especially if composition is off a bit. I scribble in the main shapes lightly, gradually building up areas with lines and then shading as confidence grows. As marks, once placed, are difficult to erase, the face details are drawn in more gradually than the rest of the composition.
I remember that my friend used to call her grand-daughter Hannah Banana, so I snuck some banana shapes onto the blanket – that will be a surprise for her when she sees this. I smudge the graphite and use erasers quite a bit, a good technique for subtler details like the background and blanket pattern. Eraser sticks, 2 different sizes, are perfect because they are held and used like a pencil.
Hydrangea
Tuesday, August 6th, 2013
Blue Hydrangea, 18H x 24W inches graphite on 80 lb premium, white mat
Blue Flag Iris
Tuesday, July 30th, 2013
Blue Flag Iris, 24H x 18W inches graphite on paper, white mat
Gladiolas
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013
Gladiolas, 24H x 18W inches graphite on paper, white mat
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