Figure Sketch

V.... sketching, chatting on the phone, etc.

Still get together with V....Vaughan regularly to sketch and talk shop. Last week, she was taking care of all kinds of business - and sketching her rodeo riders - and was an inviting subject herself to sketch. I think the top one needs to be a painting.

Doodles

marker sketch on 8 1/2 x 11 paper

I'm trying to get back into action today. I painted two small paintings today. Both have been wiped off. Just as they deserved. So I ended up with time just to sketch. I think this is actually good. Its been maybe 3 weeks since I've painted so trying to jump right in is crazy. I knew I'd fail to be happy with my results. The sketching reminds me of how I like to work - the gestural qualities I like to get in paint. It also makes me focus on the values and a sound composition (editing).

This reminds me too that I heard a story on the radio (npr) the other day about people who "doodle". That is me to a tee. I can't seem to be sitting without doodling. My daughter gets upset with me when I absent mindedly grab her crayons and start on her menus at restaurants. Have I written that before?
Oh well, the gist of the radio story was that people who doodled while taking notes, listening, etc. actually retained more information than those who just sat and presumably focused on the teacher, or information being presented. So, take note, if you have students or people who are doodling away while you talk, it does not mean they are not listening.

Museum Sketches

Today I went to the Austin Museum of Art to do some sketching. The current show is wonderful... at least the half that is hung with masterworks like Berthe Morisot, Eduord Vuillard, Bonnard, Matisse, Renior, Gaugain, etc.
Its not the typical art which hangs at the AMOA.

The museum is promoting the show and sketching during it until Nov. 2nd. I sketched both some of the works, and some of the people viewing the exhibit.







One thing that really caught my attention was how "incomplete" some of the paintings were. The brushwork is sketchy at best in some, and the support (cardboard, canvas) shows through, unprimed. It was interesting to see the work so fresh, so spontaneous. I tend to think I have to cover every square inch with paint! Perhaps they were being frugal... given that paint must have been very dear. But, I admire their style and their expression.

The other thing that amazed me about the show is that much of the work came from Austin collectors.

Beach Sketch

pencil with watercolor wash

What more enjoyable pastime could there be than playing in the beautiful white sands of a gulf coast beach? This time, the white of the paper is pretty darn close to the actual sand color.

Beach Sketch

Back in Austin. And already missing the beach! And all the fresh produce and seafood... oh, man we ate well. If anyone is going there or lives there... I highly recommend Ophelia's - the chef there is amazing. And you can't beat sitting outside, under fans and awnings in summer, on the serene bay looking at mangrove islands.

I sketched quite a bit on the beach and in the car during drives. I bought a cheap set of acrylics to try and had some success with them. I also added some watercolor washes to some sketches. It was fun. And I thought I'd share some of those with you all since I won't yet be able to get back to my studio for "real" work.

So here is the first sketch - a pencil drawing looking south on Siesta Key towards the Point of Rocks. I liked trying to suggest the numerous people and activity on the beach.

Sunday Sketches

These were from Thursday when I went downtown. The young ladies looked so chic in their black trench coats. Its been "cold" here so everyone is bundled up too which is different for us.
My goal is to do more of these sketches and then to paint from them, or paint on them. I just need to get more background next time. I sketched some good poses, but then got home and did not have them in context to complete a painting.