I improved a drawing from the drawing session a couple of days ago. I added goldleaf, and moved the figure's left leg. Finally, using white gouache, I covered several undesirable places such as between the eyes and the arm.
BEFORE
AFTER
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Spent another incredible day drawing and sketching the nude.    My bits of beloved charcoal.
I find portraits extremely challenging but felt I needed to face this one.  I was really out of it today and was quickly aware that the experiences and drawings were subpar.     This was my favorite drawing for the day.
Today had mixed experiences. I had some very loose and quick drawings that I like but then others that were fussy and took way too long to complete.  This was my favorite drawing of the day.    I could tell instantly starting today that it was going to be a challenge to gather enough energy needed to produce sketches that were satisfactory. I like the small leg drawing and that is about it. I invested a bunch of energy in the last drawing, but it was difficult to sustain this. Perhaps if I invested more time, I may find a place of peace with it.      My favorite drawing of the day (above)  I felt uninspired by many of the poses, which left me feeling a tad disappointed. That said, I did create some sketches which I like. I even took an old drawing that I disliked and attempted to make it better.  An old sketch made better.   My favorite drawing of the day.   Probably one of my more accessible drawings.       The clavicle is not drawn to proportion and the angle is wrong, but I still like where this portrait was heading.      I'm not happy with how this sketch (above) turned out.  Tonight I met with an artist friend Loretta to spend some creative time together. I've mentioned in the past that I want to do a Vanitas painting, so using watercolors, I created a study of a baby's skull. I will definitely use it as one of my props when it comes to completing the oil version.        This sketch (above) was really frustrating to draw and afterwards I was convinced it was horrible. Now, I really like it.  This sketch (above) was frustrating to draw and I hate the end result.  We got together and my one goal for the evening was to create a large quantity of flesh-color that matches my general skin tone. I then painted my hand, which still turned out too saturated and red. I also tried two experiments painting watercolors on black paper. You can see the collected sediment in the paints, but I then used a very pale flesh color to create moments of brightness.    My artist friend Loretta and I met again tonight to work on art projects. I made two watercolor paintings, while she worked on the logistics of creating a book for a 5 year old. I am still getting the hang of using watercolors. It's difficult to foresee how dark and rich the colors will end up. Both paintings ended up overly-saturated and underwhelming in the contrast. Using Photoshop, I adjusted lowering the saturation and increasing the contrast and really wish this is how my final paintings would have turned out. 
One of the model's name was Alita–a tall transwoman–was delightful to draw. Her poses were unusual and full of energy.        The proportions are drastically off in this drawing, especially the size and length of the forearm and hands, but there are passages that I really like, for example, the upper shoulder.
Started by drawing with charcoal and oil sticks and then switched to watercolors. I could tell my artist friend was frustrated, but I really had a good time.       This is my best work of the day. I haven't worked with gouache before, so it quickly spun me into "beginner's mind."  I started to overthink the process and therefore ended with a painting that's not so great. I finally got around to working on these sketches more. They're not perfect, but much better than before.    |
AUTHORTerrance Graven is a San Francisco artist whose installations incorporate sculptural elements, performance art, costumes, sound pieces, and theatrical lighting. CATEGORIES
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March 2024
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