Life drawing and painting

By luck we have an intern at ArtEst Catherine from Texas. She agreed to be our model (clothed). I much rather have a clothed model than nudes as these are so much more acceptable to hang!



We start off with a seated pose. Love the angles created by the crossed legs.


This other one is less natural.


And finally a pose with her chin in her hands. It was pretty difficult to draw this one. Never mind that I tried twice.

Double model session

Went to a double model workshop yesterday which was a very steamy and warm summer's day. The models were Murtim (dark Turkish model with great body) and Kael (frail waif-like porcelain skin, bright red hair). Neither had done double modelling and had never worked together. Not that I've any prior experience but it was quite amazing how having two people suddenly creates a tension and drama. The negative space was also interesting because it related the two.


This pose is like a mirror image; ying and yang : male and female.


Murtim has lovely muscle tone and I enjoyed looking at him. In this one Kael is very much background as she is in the next which is painted.


I'm going to call this one "after the argument": each is brooding and unhappy.


This is an experiment on black paper: portrait of Kael.

Burlesque live drawing at Double Bay

Received an invitation to attend a free burlesque live drawing session at the Double Bay Food and Art Festival, featuring the lovely Sarina del Feugo and effervescent Tim Gratton. My friend Sue also signed up and we went together.

Sarina was clad in corsetry, fishnet, long gloves and feathers. She looked remarkably saucy. Because we were late, we ended up at the side but that was actually good as interesting foreshortening results. Of course such poses are generally acknowledged as being a challenge to a novice but I like to think that I've moved on from a beginner. The angles from a sideview are also usually more interesting.

Sue told Tim, who was rushing around giving tips to all, about my success with painting water which Tim said "but I taught you how to!" Rightly so... He did!

We also spoke to a woman from Queensland who was entering a body painting contest. Curious to know who her 'canvas' is, we found out that it was her hubby. The poor man went through a full body wax (ouch!) so that he'd be a better canvas! I am sure my husband would never consent to do the same for me!!! I'm quite certain also that no nudity would be permitted at a public festival, so the bodies would have to at least leave their knickers on. She assured us that her dearest would wear proper knickers to hide his buns of steel....

These few frenetic artistic days have made me lose several items; misplaced my hat and thermos mug and probably lost several more things that I haven't discovered yet. Meantime I've been painting a scene inspired by a house in Kiama which is slowly coming along. I hope to post it up soon!