Pastel portrait

The striking Venezualean model Eiry returned this week to pose for the Stamford Arts Centre life drawing group. This portrait drawing was done using pastel chalks on Pastelmat paper. Click image to zoom.

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

Life drawing and portrait

Back to the Stamford Arts Centre this week for life drawing. The model was allowed to read a book which gave a relaxed pose. Did a graphite pencil drawing and then a portrait drawing using coloured pencils on dark paper (sanguine, black, white and light blue). Both used a tissue for smudging. Happy with these! Click images to zoom.