meldrum artVenue: Konstnärshuset, Stockholm, 20130312
I am taking a pause from watercolours during my Tuesday evening life drawing classes. I want to focus on developing my drawing skills. I am happy with the results, I feel relaxed when I sketch which gives me time to think about composition and execution.
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| A4 paper, 2 minute sketch. 20130312 |
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| A3 paper, 5 minute sketch. 20130312 |
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| A3 paper, 10 minute sketch. 20130312 |
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| A4 paper, 2 minute sketch. 20130312 |
I painted this quickly last Friday during my lunch break. I want to improve my technique, so I practice as often as I can.
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| Watercolour doodle, 20130308 (A4 paper) |
Venue: Basis, Stockholm, 20130309
Pencil and Oil Pastels this day.
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| 10 minutes – A3 paper |
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| 10 minutes – A3 |
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| 10 minutes – A3 |
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| 2 minutes – A4 |
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| 2 minutes – A4 |
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| Zinaida Serebriakova |
This little attempt to capture Tom Waits was relatively successful I think. I’ve got a few levels to climb as far as execution is concerned but I’m happy enough with the painting.
I choose famous people because it is a good way to see if I have succeeded in capturing a likeness or not. I just ask people close to me, “Do you recognise this person?”.
I’ve started a portrait page on this blog, I’ve added a tab above.
Venue: Konstnärshuset, Stockholm.
I did not find the model very inspiring, it is very difficult to create good work when one feels this way. Still, I am very happy with the last two sketches of the evening, which were two minute drawings.
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| 2 minute sketch, 20130305 |
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| 2 minute sketch, 20130305 |
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| 5 minute sketch, 20130305 |
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| 5 minute sketch, 20130305 |
Venue: The Academy of Realistic Art, Bergshamra, 20130228
I can sketch a nude quickly, paint them at speed also. My challenge right now is to slow down and start painting instead of sketching. It is hard, very hard to continue having a loose expressive style when one has a whole two hours to capture a pose. I tense up, every line I draw becomes stiff, I revert to how I drew two years ago. When I came home and showed my wife my effort she immediately said it felt restrained, she was right. Frustrated, I decided to add thick lines around the model to exaggerate the stiffness even more, I created a Mucha, some Art Nouveau. After much thought of where I want to go,in which direction, I realise that I relate to artists like watercolourists, Charles Reid and Ted Nuttall. Other painters I currently find inspiring are; Sandra Flood for here compostition skills, Mark Demsteader for his grungy portraits, Sebastian Kruger for his ability to capture a character and Kent Williams for his loose style. I am basically seeking to develop a loose, grungy style, I just have to keep reminding myself of this.
(Thank you Martin for introducing me to Mr. Williams)
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| I made a Mucha of it! |
Venue, Konstnärshuset, Stockholm
I am happy with a lot of my sketches from this session. I focused on trying to keep a single line that is expressive and in no way hesitant. Completing a watercolour sketch in such a short time is challenging, the hardest part is to mix my colours and create the desired skin tones. I use: Naples Yellow, Cerulean Blue and Cadmium Red mostly.
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| 5 minute sketch, 20130226 |
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| 10 minute sketch, 20130226 |
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| 5 minute sketch, 20130226 |
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| 3 minute sketch, 20130226 |
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| 2 minute sketch, 20130226 |
Today, I hung out with the Stockholm Sketchers at the Modern Art Museum here in Stockholm. We meet up on the last Sunday of each month. It was a very enjoyable few hours drinking coffee, chatting and even finding time to draw.
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| Relaxing at the Modern Art Museum, Stockholm. 20130224, A4 Moleskin. |
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| Texting at the Modern Art Museum, Stockholm. 20130224, A4 Moleskin. |