Some Figure Drawings from January and February 2020

One of my resolutions for starting the new decade was to do more figure drawing. My training in college and graduate school focused heavily on the figure and it remained a passion long after leaving art school. I've also spent many additional years teaching Life Drawing and Anatomy courses at the university level, so figure drawing was always on my mind.

Over the past few years the direction of my artistic output changed and I sketched from life less frequently. Now realizing how beneficial the practice is, I'm putting renewed effort into drawing from life. 

I've attended life drawing sessions that are open to the public at Sheboygan Visual Artists and a "Drink and Draw" event at Between Two Galleries in Milwaukee's Fifth Ward where poses are short (ranging from 1 minute to 25 minute poses).

 

I have also joined a private drawing group organized by Studio Blip which meets every other Saturday morning. Poses at those sessions have ranged from 45 minutes to 90 minutes.

Drawing in the Lincoln Warehouse with the Studio Blip Group

Only one model this month was someone I had drawn before. It has been a fun challenge to sketch new people. I find it takes me some time to become familiar with an individual's proportions and to understand how to capture the uniqueness of their facial features.

The following sketches are from six sessions I attended during January and February, 2020. 

Don't forget to check out my artwork available at my Etsy store, Facebook page, as well as my Instagram feed.

Pastel Figure Drawing: Part III

The pastel figure drawings featured in this post  are drawn on white paper directly without a colorful underpainting. For this technique burnt umber was used for the value study because it would blend well with colors of the flesh tone.

Marquayla

22"x 30"

chalk pastel on printmaking paper

Visit my Etsy Store

Marquayla (detail)

22"x 30"

chalk pastel on printmaking paper

The same model also posed a year later for the session recorded in stages below.

A gestural line in sepia conte crayon measures proportions while creating volume and structure. Tones are rapidly placed. Here placed brown PanPastel tones rapidly with a makeup sponge.

Next warm and cool colors are added.

Finally highlights and shadows complete the image and detail.

Marquayla II

22"x 30"

chalk pastel on printmaking paper

Marquayla II (detail)

22"x 30"

chalk pastel on printmaking paper

We see the same stages of this technique used again for a drawing of another model.

A dark blue line gives specific contour and contrast.

Capturing this model's curls were unusually challenging. 

A glimpse of the setup -

The white sheet looks crisp against the vibrant colors on the body in the finished piece.

Pastel Figure Drawings: Part I

For long I've been devoted to the practice of figure drawing. As a young art student I fell in love with the pursuit of capturing the energy, vitality and beauty of a living model. Soon it became my goal to teach courses in Life Drawing and Anatomy so that I could share my passion for the subject with others.

Female Nude Reclining

chalk pastel and oil paint on printmaking paper

30.5" x 22.5"

Visit my Etsy Store

In 1983 I began attending figure drawing sessions every Friday night to get extra practice. The group, which is open to the public, has been meeting weekly for nearly 50 years, and still meets to this day.

It is hard for me to believe, but I've been teaching in the art department at that same university for 19 years now!

All of my pastel drawings in this post were done at Friday Night Open Figure Drawing sessions and were created during 3 hour long poses. 

Each is 30.5" x 22.5"

Female Nude with Parasol and Fan

chalk pastel and oil paint on printmaking paper

30.5" x 22.5"

Visit my Etsy Store

These drawings are on thick printmaking paper that were prepared with abstract color blocks using oil paint. The colors of the underpainting influence my color choices as I work.

Female Nude Model with Fan

chalk pastel and oil paint on printmaking paper

30.5"x22.5"

Visit my Etsy Store

I prefer the color and texture of Rembrandt brand pastels. Often a sepia conte crayon is used for the preliminary line work.

In the beginning the delicate drawn image is very difficult to see against the vibrant bold shapes.

Female Reclining Nude

chalk pastel and oil paint on printmaking paper

30.5" x 22.5"

Visit my Etsy Store

I am very excited about the interaction of color as the background affects the way the thin colored lines are perceived.

A great variety of people modeling keeps the experience fresh and challenging.

Some of the original pastel drawings pictured here are available for purchase online. Check it out by clicking the link below -

Shop CynthiaHayesArt on Etsy.com

More figure drawings will be featured in future posts!