Saturday, March 11, 2017

Woman Reading - original pastel pencil figurative drawing

This pastel pencil drawing is actually on bluish Art Spectrum Colourfix paper, but for some reason, it looks kind of beige here.  Otherwise, the colors are correct.  I love having a model for even a short time, so didn't work on the chair at all - just concentrated on the model, because all models do tire after awhile.  And sure enough, she finally had enough and that was that.  It was great while it lasted, though.  Years ago, I used some CarbOthello pastel pencils in art class and I loved them, but haven't used this medium since.  Got to thinking about them and just hauled off and treated myself to a whole set of CarbOthellos.   They are delicious, plus I think changing one's medium from time to time is good for the soul!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Thursday, March 09, 2017

On My Easel - Warming Up - original oil pastel figurative work in progress

Maybe I will do something with this sketch - or maybe not, but it was fun to draw.  I do love ballet dancers, just like I love all dancers!  I drew this on Art Spectrum Colourfix - the grittier kind.  Thanks for looking!

Saturday, March 04, 2017

Studio Nude - original acrylic painting of a nude model

I was trying out my new Golden Open Acrylics and painted this piece from a drawing that I did some time ago.  The Opens are great - they really do stay wet longer.  I love them - easy to work with and, I think, easier blending for edges.  The painting is 10 x 8" on multimedia paper - thanks for looking!

Thursday, March 02, 2017

Dancers In Lines - original ink marker figurative drawing

Just about my all time fave thing to do - line squiggles that form people.  Used an Itoya Doubleheader calligraphy pen for this one.  Great drawing instrument, btw - gives such variety of line.  This one is about 8 x 11 1/2"  - thanks so much for stopping by Hackberry Street Studio!

Sketchbook Landscape - original mixed media drawing.

This type of drawing is not really my thing, but was working on my sketchbook, which is the subject of this post.  I was at the craft store in the next town and came across a Bee sketchbook for markers which I snapped up.  I love it so much!  The pages lie completely flat and it has a stiff black pebbled cover - such a delight to work in.  I used pastel pencils, water soluble pencils, marker, and charcoal.  I used Bee papers years ago, then later could never seem to find this brand, but am really glad I have this cute sketchbook.  This product comes in other sizes besides this 8 x 8" and with vellum paper, as well.  Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, February 27, 2017

On My Easel Sketch of Gemma - original charcoal portrait sketch in progress

Here's a little 12 x 9" sketch of Gemma - not finished, but one that I'm enjoying working on.  It's on Strathmore toned paper, which is fun to draw on, especially when using a little white in addition to the charcoal.  As I progress, I'll use some white - just not there, yet.  Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Sketchbook Nude - original mixed media drawing


This drawing comes from a life drawing I did several months ago, so, early this morning, I just decided to give it another interpretation.  I had planned to do it completely in watercolor, then restate the figure in ink, but it took a slightly different path - just had to get more line in there!  Here and there are touches of acrylic, as well.  I didn't realize that the Prismacolor ink marker I was using is water-soluble, so that was a surprise - and a good one. too!  Then I turned my attention to an oil pastel for my oil pastel blog and got it mostly finished.  Working in the morning - which we night owls don't often do - seems to be a good thing! Plus, I listened to early morning radio - I always have the radio on, just not usually as early as I did this morning.   This piece is on 8.5 x 5.5" mixed media paper - thanks for stopping by!

Monday, February 20, 2017

Saturday, February 18, 2017

iPhone Guitarist - original iPhone sketch

Here's the result of a goofing around Saturday - probably could refine it some, but it is a loose little sketch, after all, and one must be grateful when there is a model of sorts around.  What's wonderful about using my phone is the phone doesn't get the nervous looks that pulling out the sketchbook - no matter how small - does.  Plus much of this piece is just drawing without looking and looking at the performer, instead.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Friday, February 17, 2017

On My Easel - Two Geishas - original oil pastel figurative in progress

Here's a little of what I was working on today.  The support looks like canvas, but isn't.  I applied gesso to panel with a bristle brush that one would use to paint woodwork.  With the first layer going up and down, and the next one side to side, the effect is more like canvas.  I only needed two layers because the panel was already gessoed.  It's really fun and instructive to paint a 7 x 5" because it's so intimate and also easier to work out problems or go in a different direction.  For instance, I'm now more interested in the geisha in the back and want to explore that a little more, possibly in a larger piece.  I think it's the values that are appealing in the back geisha.  For me, it's always the values!  Will probably finish this on Tuesday.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, February 12, 2017

On My Easel - charcoal portrait in progress

I just started this one this evening - having to work with mainly a photograph, although I will finish it with the actual girl.  So much to do, but it's great to work in charcoal - so soft and forgiving.  This one is 17 x 14".  Thanks for stopping by.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Wild Jive - original figurative oil painting

This painting is what listening to oldies will do for you - what a way to spend a couple of hours on Friday afternoon.  The music is from my workout playlist, so it's all pretty lively.  On 8 x 8" Gessobord.  Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, February 07, 2017

iPhone sketch of Shayna - original black and white iPhone drawing

I love drawing with my finger on my 6 plus screen - talk about living dangerously when drawing!  It's a complete toss-up as to how it will turn out, but really satisfying for me.  If you haven't tried this, do it! Thanks so much for visiting Hackberry Street Studio!

Monday, February 06, 2017

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Fixing Her Hair - original oil pastel portrait drawing

I always just love it when the model takes one of the fixing hair poses!  This one is done on Art Spectrum Colourfix - the original, which I adore, in the sand color.  Maybe not finished - I didn't have a whole lot of time because I kept dropping my crayon and/or it kept breaking.  But in the happiness department, it was a win-win.  It's 9 x 12" - thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

On My Easel - original oil pastel figurative in progress

This is a 9 x 12" oil pastel I worked on today - many, many refinements before I could possibly consider it finished - if it ever does get finished.  Once again, on this marvelous Colourfix paper that I'm loving to work on.  Thanks for looking!

Sunday, January 29, 2017

On My Easel - Ballerina - original oil pastel drawing

This drawing is on Colourfix paper - the new smoother kind.  I thought I wouldn't like it, just bought it by accident, but I ended up loving it!  This drawing is about 9 x 9" - thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Nude on Grey - original charcoal drawing of a nude model

A charcoal drawing on grey paper - actually it's Strathmore 403 - is the latest from Hackberry Street Studio.   This one is about 9 1/2 x 4 1/2".  Thanks for looking!

Monday, January 23, 2017

On My Easel - Sandi - original oil pastel portrait

Since I've been away so much and haven't posted, I just decided to go ahead and publish something in progress.  Even though I didn't post for such a long time doesn't mean I haven't been doing art.  Actually, I took a portrait painting course and also have been drawing or painting every single day.  So much to do on this one, yet, but just needed to get back to posting.  This is Colourfix paper - the smoother one, which has just a bit of tooth.  I used Sennelier with a few Holbein oil pastels.  It's about 9 x 9".  Maybe I'll post it again when I'm finished. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, January 13, 2017

Two Step Passion - original oil figurative painting

This couple was so into each other and the music - they were a pleasure to watch.  It was kind of a fast number - I don't remember the tune - but they glided by with purpose and emotion.  This painting is on 8 x 8" Gessobord.  Thanks so much for looking!
PS. My Able Assistant, Roger, seems to be much better!  I love my Assistant!💓

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Saturday, January 07, 2017

Blue Cape - original oil pastel portrait drawing

I'm not sure I will "finish" this 5 x 7" piece on panel since it feels as if I've accomplished what I've set out to do.  I like the openness on the left side and maybe if I completely cover it, I might regret it.  Isn't it fun to read my rant?  Sorry.  Although I could actually go on and on.
So sad and worried at the moment - my wonderful and beloved Able Assistant, Roger, seems to be ill.   It's terrible to watch - will probably stay downstairs with him tonight and we'll sleep in my recliner, all bundled up together.  Only hope he can recover - he's such a part of my life.





Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Happy Sandra - original oil pastel portrait painting

This little oil pastel is 7 x 5" on panel.  Once again, I fooled around with it afterward, but it still looks like her - such a pleasant expression throughout.  Memo to me:  Leave it alone after you get home!  Thanks for looking!

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Black and White Rodeo - original charcoal figurative drawing

I am sometimes astonished by the power and emotion of charcoal drawings.  It's my all-time favorite medium.  This drawing is on Canson drawing paper.  Although the tear line runs through the top of the cowboy's hat, I was so happy with the way it was going, that I just went with it and will simply bond it to museum board.  It's about 7 x 10".  Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, December 12, 2016

The Folksinger - original charcoal figurative drawing

Nothing like a musician to get the charcoal working.  Really good performance by this guy and I feel I really captured him.  This drawing is on mixed media paper, about 10 x 7".  Thanks for looking!

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Rockabilly - original figurative water-soluble pencil drawing

Looking out the window of the restaurant, I saw this fellow as he listened to a friend.  I was ready with my sketchbook, water-soluble pencil and a brush with the water reservoir.  It's so quickly done, but I loved the gesture and his concentration.  This one is about 11 x 5".  Thanks for visiting!

Friday, December 09, 2016

A Little Experiment - original mixed media portrait

I was experimenting with this new - to me - thing.  Heavily gessoed a piece of canvas, then covered a rectangle with a thick layer of watercolor.  Drew her face with colored pencils.None of this is expertly done, you may have noticed, but it was such fun that I'll do it again.  I need to figure out how to make some things more solid looking, but then again, maybe not.  I'm also trying for a sort of imperfect, unfinished and worn look - sort of wabi sabi.  It's about 5 1/2 x 7 1/2" - thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Standing Nude - original colored pencil nude drawing

I used grey colored pencils on this drawing and I find them pleasant to use.  They're not as easy to work with as charcoals, but that's probably just because I'm not used to them.  It seems to take a long time to build up values and since I had the time (and no model), I worked from an old drawing that was not in the best shape any longer - this is the updated version.  This piece is about 11 x 5".  Thanks for stopping by!