Live Model

Oil     8" X 10"

I so love working with a live model. Unfortunately, that has become a cause for problems because the opportunity to paint from a live model doesn't always exist as often as I like.  So when that happens, instead of shifting gears and painting a still-life or painting from photos, I sit and brood.

Today I have an opportunity to paint plein-aire with a group from my art association but the weather looks pretty bad.  Two days ago I also could have painted plein-aire but life got in the way.

I guess I'll really have to make an attempt to be more flexible.

This painting was one of two sisters posing in a studio last week.  They were playing chess at the time.  This is a good setup because even though they move, they still come back to the same positions often. I painted and drew several views of both the girls but liked this one the best.

Bubba

This is our dog Cobie.  He is a big Bubba.  After we first got him we thought we had made a terrible mistake.  While petting him he would let out this low growl as if preparing to rip you apart!  However we soon learned that this was the way he spoke and that he was a very gentle soul.

Going home with his new family

Things were not always pleasant for Cobie.  He lived in a no kill shelter for about a year.  He was sent there after being picked up off the street at about one to one and a half years old.  One shelter worker we met told us that as she would lock up for the evening Cobie would cry louder than any other dog so she would often take him home to spend the night with her and her children.

When we adopted Cobie we found that he was extremely aggressive toward other dogs.  We found scars on his back and realized that he had been attacked by other dogs in the shelter and was suffering emotional trauma.  He would fly into a frenzy even if he saw another dog walk by the house.  Well, after two professional dog trainers and many lessons later (and lots of family love poured upon him) he is a thousand times better.

His one hang-up though, is with the UPS trucks.  For some reason unknown to us he wants to tear them apart.  And, he can tell the difference between UPS trucks from other trucks.

Well, we have had Cobie now for about five years and he is an integral part of the family.  Although he will probably always have issues he will have them with a loving family around him.

Conte

Conte 24" X 18"

I tried working in Conte again the other day.  It was quite fun.  Been sticking with charcoal for so long that I forgot just how fun Conte is and how forgiving it can be if you start off with a light touch.  This drawing is on white paper although it looks rather gray.  

Oh oh.  Our Bubba dog is insisting I take him for a run.  He huffs and puffs and drools on me till I give in.  I tie him to the bike with a rope and run him while I ride.  THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS!  He has augured me into the ground several times.  He has dragged Chris across a yard; perhaps the element of danger is appealing.  Anyway, I now have most of the bugs worked out and can complete most trips in relative safety. 

Cobie AKA Bubba

 This is Bubba.  DOWN BUBBA...DOWN!!

I'll show the bike hookup on a later post.

Every summer for one month on the weekends an event called the Renaissance festival is hosted not far from here.  I believe that most areas across the country have something similar.  A great many people get dressed up in medieval attire (or any form of costume for that matter) and reenact the days of old.  There is a King and Queen, jesters, jugglers, actors and almost everything else imaginable.  Chris and I try to go once a year to get reference photos and enjoy the festivities.

This is a place to get some really neat pictures.  All the participants are always in a good mood and seem to really enjoy having their pictures taken.  But, this can also be a source of difficulty.  You see when they see you with a camera pointed their way they pause and smile.  What would have been a beautiful candid shot now seems contrived.  When one is using a point and shoot camera as I do this will be a constant problem.  I need to upgrade to a better camera which would make use of a longer lens.  A longer lens would allow me to stand further away and zoom in discretely and get that more candid shot.  Ah well if wishes were horses beggars would ride.

Fur Hats  Oil 6" X 6"
Photo by Artist

I love the fur hats on these to girls.  They look like two Siberian beauties.  The weather was cold on this day and I'm sure the hats felt comfortable.  The other gal in the tricorn hat falls into a different era but why should I be judgmental.  I could have painted her out but maybe there is a nifty story in this just waiting to be told.  I'll look at this painting from time to time and it might trigger an imaginative idea.  Who knows?

Home Brew

As I write some of these posts I realize just how much fun my Friday drawing group is.  I recall several months back at one of our sessions; the studio was packed and everyone was in good humor.  During the first break the model informed us that he was into brewing beer; not just any beer but exotic brands.  He quickly listed some half dozen types.  There were ales and stouts and the list went on.  He really knew his stuff and took great pride in his hobby.  I was impressed!

But more importantly he had a sample with him; not too much but an adequate amount.   He would be pleased for each of us to test some.  And several of us did test it: I included.  Now, how could you beat this:

• An excellent model
• Thoughtfully adjusted lighting
• Pleasant music
• Friendly company
• And a glass of delicately brewed barley.

The sample glass of brew tasted great.  What an enjoyable few hours.

Round 2
Charcoal  17" X 15"

My drawing took on a less insistent mood and the charcoal seemed to flow more easily.  This is one of the drawings from that session.  It brings back pleasant memories every time I look at it.

Take That Shot

I’ve been attempting to paint seven paintings a week at Studio Lally: fat chance.  Still, I figure as long as I’m headed in that direction eventually it will happen.  In the meantime though, a lot of paintings are quickly piling up.  What to do with them all?  It seems like a good idea to keep a record of them (that pesky left brain asserting itself again).  The better ones that might have more potential can go to the professional photographer.  The smaller, more numerable ones can be handled more easily in-house.  It’s a lot cheaper this way also. 

Voila!!   Le Box

Right now I use a six mega pixel point-and-shoot Cannon Power Shot camera.  I fabricated this light tent from a cardboard box: cut the sides and top out and draped it with a linen sheet.  It works all right except that I find it somewhat awkward to use.  Later I’ll get a professional tent but this one is good for now.

When the sun is shining, or even on overcast days with sufficient light, I prefer to just go outside to take the shot.  One tripod for the painting and one for the camera works well.  Just try to stay out of direct sunlight and watch out for those nasty reflections from other objects. 

Highly technical stuff!

 As long as the camera is perpendicular to the painting the quality is good.  Another thing I do is to set the two second delay to eliminate camera shake.  Next, I take about three consecutive shots at different exposure settings and later pick the one which looks the best.  Finally, the picture gets cropped from the surrounding background.  Piece of cake!