Relaxing - Sketches 1 and 2

These are the sketches I did for Relaxing in the Portrait class (see post on 10 October 12) at KAGS earlier this month.

The Portrait class starts by having three 10 minute sketches in order to warm up as well as to decide which position they would like to have the model hold for the rest of the time.


Relaxing Sketch 1

I liked all three poses and will probably develop the other two sketches at a later date, but first I had better finish the one I started.

I will post those at a later date.





Relaxing Sketch 2

Relaxing - A Work in Progress

Today was another rainy overcast day, but it is a lot better than the snow and freezing rain that they are getting in northern Ontario.

There was a portrait class at KAGS today and I decided to go since Christine was the model.

Unfortunately, today was one of those days where I couldn't draw a face to save my life.

I know I am not the only one this happens to on occasion, so instead of getting upset about it I worked on the clothing and the chair, which turned out not too badly.

I will post this painting at a later date once it is completed.

Strumming - A Work in Progress

Today my daughter, Christine was the model for the Portrait Group at KAGS.

She brought in a number of different things to wear and it was decided that she would be a musician playing the guitar.

This is a partially finished painting of her. I will post it at a later date once it has been completed.

Spanish Beauty - A Work in Progress

This is a painting I started on the second day of the Brian Smith workshop (see posting on 10 April 11).

We did a portrait using the "Dead" palette or the "Traditional Skin" palette. The colours we used were Titanium white buff, cadmium yellow light, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson (or cadmium red) and Payne's grey.

The background of the canvas was coated with a wash of neutral grey. Once the acrylic paint dried we sketched an outline portrait of the model using charcoal or conte.

The excess charcoal was wiped off the canvas with a cloth to prevent the media from contaminating the acrylic paint being put down and greying it.

Using mixtures of Titanium white buff, cadmium yellow light, yellow ochre and alizarin crimson the under painting of the face and neck were painted.

The highlights were painted using more Titanium white buff and the shadows were darkened by adding a touch of Payne's grey to the flesh tone mixture.

The under painting on this portrait has been completed.

I will post this painting at a later date when I have completed the next stage and put the under painting in on the hair.

Portraits - Christine

Today we had the lead tip from the Hastings and Prince Edward Regimental Pipe Band as our model, Sergeant Christine Sydney (yes, she is my daughter).

Christine brought her drum and wore the Band uniform. She did two 15 minutes poses standing with her drum as though she was playing.

Then after a short break, she sat for the long pose with her drum and harness on the floor beside her and held her drumsticks in her hands.

This one I am keeping for myself.