life drawing

We had a very ambitious model in life drawing. She had trouble holding some of her poses - but you had to admire her determination!

lifedrawing

eeeek! Haven't drawn a human in a while! Lifedrawing classes are lovely though - such a hushed air - very meditative, and we had a wonderful model - 'desiree'.

(Art Spectrum black pastel on canaletto paper.)

drawing horses in pastel

There's something about drawing horses in pastel. I'm not sure how to express it, really, except that the pastel requires it be laid down on the paper in a certain way. I find myself thinking in terms of blue shadows and luminous highlights. The pure quality of the pigment is very moving. I feel that immediately I am required to express something of the spirit of the horse. I feel pushed out of my comfort zone. I love it!

byerley turk II

byerley turk I

First phase of a pastel drawing of the Byerley Turk, one of the three legendary foundation sires of the modern Thoroughbred.

work in progress - rearing horse II

See Feb 25 post for the first phase. I have began working in more light/shade contrast and adding some detail. I like to put the eye in at an early phase, because then I really feel that the image has began to develop its own presence - its own spirit!

work in progress - rearing horse

A pastel drawing I started a few days ago. I suppose a rearing white horse is a cliche - but I think there's a good reason for that!

pastel - unfinished

It was only after I took a rest from this pastel (based on a warmblood) that I realised it was really a portrait of Juno - not a warmblood at all. I will have to go back to it armed with this new knowledge!

three horses galloping

This pastel drawing is all about movement. I let go of any carefulness in showing the way horses actually move, anatomical correctness etc. My sole inspiration was the feeling of flying!

drawing techniques 2

Here I have built up this pastel image using light and shade rather than simple shapes (as shown in the previous post).

pastel of chestnut horse

An unfinished pastel. Drawing is just like fiction writing - the beginning comes easily, but endings are difficult. Some artists only have unfinished paintings. I plan to finish this one. Soon ...