Ballet dancer drawings

My favourite model posed for us this week at the Stamford Arts Centre. Maggie is a ballet dancer and teacher, and dressed appropriately in a blue tutu. Only colour would do this justice so I drew three pastel drawings. Two on coloured pastelmat paper and one on white ingres paper. I did some finishing at home, but tried (particularly with the first one) not to lose too much of the spontaneity. The first drawing reminds me of Watteau, which can only be a good thing. I may get theses professionally scanned and proofed to offer as limited edition prints. Watch this space and contact me if you want to pre-order. As usual click image for a larger version.

(c) Mike Todd 2011

(c) Mike Todd 2011

(c) Mike Todd 2011

Digital prints

Before closing my image editor (Pixelmator) I tried applying different filters and effects to the photo of the watercolour painting in my last blogpost. It is quite easy to come up with interesting effects that could be reproduced as prints (see below). It is almost too easy, but I guess the original work went into the drawing and painting, and there is some skill in judging when a digital image looks 'good'. Maybe you don't think this looks 'good' (I like artists like Georges Rouault). For myself I would be happier using this as a starting point for another painting rather than using the digital print, but perhaps this is an outmoded way of thinking?

Watercolour life portrait

In a break with tradition I tried adding watercolour to a pencil drawing during a pose at the Stamford Arts Centre. As you can see I haven't mastered the subtlety of watercolour yet! I went back over outlines using pen with Umbra ink.

Matthews Collins on art

Matthews Collins on wannabe Contemporary Artists: "Pretending to be sophisticated theorists, but never saying anything that has any rational meaning to the ears of any ordinary person".

New painting - Eiry Reading

This new oil painting is based on a recent life-drawing (see 28th Jan blog entry). Originally conceived as a naturalistic painting, this gradually morphed into a stylised composition, where outlines are painted in black, reflecting the linear drawing. I love the green against the burnt sienna background. Click to zoom.

Eiry Reading, Oil on Canvas, (c) Mike Todd 2011

Clive - Life Drawings

Two life drawings this week at the Stamford Arts Centre. First is in pencil on white cartridge paper.

The second is on a new surface to me. This is Pastelmat paper, which is a thick (card-like) surface (360gsm / 170lb) specially developed for pastelists. According to the manufacturers "Its unique velvety surface, made from a fine coating of cellulose fibers, has the ability to grab and hold multiple layers of even the softest pastels".

For the drawing I used Conte chalks rather than soft pastels. Normally Conte adheres well and on this surface it was really held hard. This meant my normal smudging and blending with a tissue or Torchon was difficult and the drawn marks are still visible. I would like to try soft pastels on this paper. It comes in some interesting dark colours, which is why I was attracted to it. It is relatively expensive but I bought large sheets and cut them up. Watch this space for more Pastelmat trials.

Chalk figure

Life model drawn in white chalk and charcoal on black Ingres paper at the Stamford Arts Centre. Click to zoom.