Tag: Studio b

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Making Stuff Up

This week at Studio b., we had a new model.  I get better at drawing any particular model after I have drawn him or her a few times.  The first session with a new model is difficult for me.  The week was no exception — I struggled.  And as if drawing a new model wasn’t hard enough, Heather also directed us to draw the background in our pictures, to give a sense of environment.

In my first drawings, I drew a hint of the studio room, and the drapes covering the model’s support boxes.  There was not enough time for me to draw the model with much accuracy, and also to draw the studio as well.  I grew increasingly frustrated.  So on my last drawing, I gave up with the studio background, and instead I put my figure on a porch near the ocean.  Heather is always telling us to draw what we see, not what we know.  But all I had was what I know, so my porch siding and shadows might be a little unconvincing.  It’s all part of the learning process.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Figure Drawing: How Lucky Am I

Fourteen artists were at the figure drawing session at Studio b. this week.  Fourteen!  The gallery was overflowing with talent and enthusiasm.  What great energy!  Kathy practically danced while she drew;   Theresa was writing something;  and behind me I could hear Roy’s charcoal.

Colleen had some good music in the background, and some refreshments on the counter, and Heather was pointing out shapes and shadows.

The woman from Chicago sat on the floor, some artists were seated on chairs, some stood at easels.  I tell you, it doesn’t get much better than this!

Studio b.‘s tagline is  “Be creative, Be adventurous, Be inspired,” and  I feel all of those things when I am there and afterwards!  How lucky am I!

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Studio b. Is Showing Our Drawings!

Way before I ever imagined it happening, some of my figure drawings are hanging in a gallery.  Colleen Duffley has covered one of the walls in Studio b with drawings by the participants in the weekly figure drawing sessions.  The fact that our drawings are being shown at all is pretty exciting, not to mention the good fortune to be shown at Studio b, the premier fine art gallery and venue for creativity.  Italian artist Sergio Poddighe will  be showing his work in the main gallery starting with his opening reception on Saturday,  3/27/2010, from 6 to 8 PM.  Our figure work will be in the back gallery.  Our prices will be nominal, because our drawings are not matted or framed.

Male on One Elbow, With Sheet--conte and charcoal on gray--18" x 22"This week instructor Heather Clements had us draw the folds and gathers of fabric partially covering the model.  A plain light-colored sheet gave us plenty to work with.  The drawing sessions have been well-attended the last few weeks, with 10 or 12 artists there.  As always, the energy was very high this week.

Each session becomes an experience:  the scratching sound of chalk and charcoal on paper, the instructor’s soft encouragement and tutoring of the  individual artists;  one of the artists singing a parody of a mournful selection in the background music, with everyone laughing afterwards.  And spoken aloud, the questions all artists struggle with (but usually don’t verbalize)… “How do you make a foot look like a foot?  Why does mine look like a flipper?”  And the groans of protest when the timer goes off, ending a particularly good pose.  And then the hurried removal of drawings from drawing boards and the setting up for a new drawing, quick, hurry, we’re starting another 8-minute pose…

None of my drawings were “keepers”, but I’m posting a few anyway.  I experimented, even using some color.  I rarely use color for color’s sake, preferring instead to draw monotone value studies using only one color or a neutral.  I may not turn out any masterpieces when I experiment, but I learn a lot, so I never count the effort a waste.

Male Standing, With Sheet--conte on manilla--18" x 24"

 Male on Stool, With Sheet Male Leaning Back on Hands, With Sheet