September 26th, 2009
“Andrea” charcoal - 11″x16″
I probably should not call out favorites but I have followed Susan Lyons work for years and I try not to miss a single painting she posts. As you look at the links below you will see why she is own of my favorites. She shares a website with her husband Scott Burdick and the site is filled with valuable information about their work as well as their travel journals, artist materials, art demo’s videos and individual biographies. I thought I would also put a link here to my all-time-favorite still life painting!
What I like about the drawing “Andrea”
- Edges - I haven’t talked about this much (it’s another one of those things I really need to post an article on) but Susan’s work in general is a great example of edges that are handled well. When the eye observes objects in reality we do not see all the details at once. what we focus on is clear to the eye and other things outside of that focus are softer. Most exceptional paintings have a dominate hard edge and a variety of edges all the way down to a lost edge. When these are done well the textures and forms of the subject come to life as they do in this drawing.
- Life Drawing Skill - I have not asked Susan if this drawing was done from life but my guess is that it was. It certainly has the feel of a drawing where there is interaction between the subject and the artist.
- Composition / Center of interest - To me the most noticeable things about humans is their eye’s and hands. Both of these communicate so much about a person before you ever speak to them. I love the way the hands in this drawing are so graceful and draw you to the models face.
Look and Enjoy
Posted in Drawing, Oil Painter | No Comments »
September 19th, 2009
It has come to my attention that since many of you are not artist that there may be some terms I use to describe the work of other artists which are unfamiliar to you or that you may misunderstand my application of the term. To deal with this I am writing a series of articles on “the basics” of representational art. Here you can read the first one on the basic skill of “drawing”.
Posted in Art Basics, Drawing | No Comments »
August 31st, 2009
David Malan does not exactly fit into the categorical intent of this blog, but his work is brilliant so I thought I would introduce him to you. I don’t think I’ll do a “what I like” portion to this post because I would think that it’s obvious. There is not an artist out there who would not strive to draw as well as David does.
However, I will note that for some reason David’s blog loads uncommonly fast even on dial-up, which is always nice for those of us stranded in our studio’s out in the middle of nowhere.
Look and Enjoy!
David’s Blog
David’s Website
Posted in David Malan, Drawing, Oil Painter | No Comments »
August 28th, 2009
One of Adebanji’s sketches
There are many things I do not like about technology and the web. This blog is not about my minor discontents but I mention that to contrast how wonderful the web is at introducing you to people you would have otherwise never run into. Adebanji’s sketching blog makes me very thankful that we have the web. There was so much content to choose from on his three sites that I have decided to post on his work in general rather than a specific piece in hopes that you will take the time to look through his sketch book and enjoy the journey he is recording for us.
What I like about Adebanji’s work.
- #1. Integrity - I believe all the artist I have posted have this but when you are out in the streets each day recording life with your pencil as it passes you by…. well you really can’t have a more honest approach to producing works of art.
- #2. Composition - As with so many of the artist I really enjoy Adebanji has a great eye for composition and you see this in all of his sketches.
- #3. Drawing - I guess that’s obvious. To fully understand what I mean, take a sketch book, go sit on a street corner and try and draw people…. while they are moving…. with the light constantly changing. I really love the skill and freshness of his work.
- #4. Fun - I try and stick to 3 observations but I can’t leave this one out. It is simply fun to follow what Adebanji is working on!
Look and Enjoy!
Adebanji’s Sketching Blog
Adebanji’s Painting Blog
Adebanji’s Website
Purchase Adebanji’s Art
Posted in Adebanji Alade, Drawing, Figure Painting | 1 Comment »
