Figure drawing workbook

After borrowing John Raynes book from the library I was very tempted to try his exercises. There were many excellent photos in the book, which is rare since models these days do not like being photographed. I took on one photo and decided that my painting skills could do with some more practice.


I liked the composition which was a play on triangles, there are triangles on the quilt, her legs and arms. In fact in the photo there was a spiky plant which made more triangles. But I omitted it on the basis that there was enough going on in the picture. Here is a close up.


I also decided that it was time to get some art works on the wall. I've produced quite a number of works but because I didn't use similar subjects, colours, media or canvas sizes it was going to be difficult to hang art aesthetically. I've since concentrated on canvas as it's cheaper than framing and if something didn't work out, I could just paint over and start again. Of course I could learn how to frame but that is another diversion I can do without. On that basis I decided that the painting of Joanne could do with a plainer background that was painted thickly, more in the style of the body. Here are the before and after.