New drawings

Couple of sketchbook drawings from Stamford Arts Centre. First in 8B pencil and second in charcoal pencil.

Life drawings

A couple of drawings from last night's Life Drawing at Stamford Arts Centre. This was a new model to me. How anyone can hold poses for an hour is beyond me, I think they like the challenge. She would make a great anatomy model.

One drawing in charcoal then Pierre Noire Conte pencil, the other using four conte chalks then Pierre Noire Conte pencil. Click images to zoom.

New painting: Lydia and flowers

Just finished a new portrait painting. The model, Lydia, posed with killer lipstick for one afternoon at the Stamford Arts Centre. The work was completed from photographs, with flowers added to fill the space and to reflect Lydia's sunny and colourful personality. The whole aims to suggest femininity and fecundity. Click on image for larger version.

Lydia and flowers, oil on canvas, (c) Mike Todd 2011

Life drawing

Pen and ink drawing over graphite.

Voodoo Lounge Drawings

Spent an enjoyable couple of hours drawing in the Voodoo Lounge cellar bar at Mama Liz's in Stamford. Thanks to the models - great fun.

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.

Pastel portrait

We had a colourful girl as a portrait model at this week's life drawing group at Stamford Arts Centre. I had to get the coloured chalks out again. Drawing is using conte pastel sticks, with a touch of black pencil on green Ingres paper. I used a rolled up bit of paper (tortillion) to blend colours. This was drawn over two sessions of one hour. Click to zoom.

Pastel portrait

Portrait in Conte pastel sticks, drawn at the Thursday evening life drawing group in Stamford Arts Centre.

Stamford Life drawings

A couple of life drawings using brown Conte stick and smudging with finger, then putty rubber to pull back the lights.

Please support the 'save the Stamford Arts Centre bar' campaign. There's a petition and, even better, get down there and use it!

Life drawing - Stamford

To keep you entertained until another thrilling painting step, I've posted a couple of drawings made at this week's life drawing 'class' in Stamford. It's not really a class as there's no teaching. These were graphite pencil on Ingres paper.

Dancer drawings - Stamford

We had a beautiful model at the Stamford Art Centre this week, who is a professional ballet dancer. She held poses for 30 mins. Drawings below (click for larger image).

Graphite pencil on Ingres paper (c) Mike Todd 2010

White conte pencil on green Ingres paper (c) Mike Todd 2010

Carbon pencil on Ingres paper (c) Mike Todd 2010

Charcoal pencil on Ingres paper (c) Mike Todd 2010

Stamford Life Drawings

Started with a life drawing group based at the Stamford Arts Centre , Stamford, Rutland. This is run by Mike Alabaster of the Welland Valley Arts Society. I've posted a few drawings made with this group.