Author Archives: Lisa Johnston Hancock

A little Rusty

These are a couple 20 minute figure drawings from last Friday night. I have not been able to go all semester and it shows a little. I definitely moved slower than usual! I plan to catch up on some lost time this summer.   This is a page from my sketchbook. I love Steve McCurry’sContinue reading “A little Rusty”

Student Work From Watercolor 1

The semester ended on a good note with successful final projects from all of my students, painting and photography. I thought that I would share some finished work from my Watercolor 1 course. The final project was to create a portrait/bust of someone expressing a mood through expression, color contrast, lighting and brush work. TheContinue reading “Student Work From Watercolor 1”

20 Minute Figure Drawing

This is a drawing from tonight’s figure group session at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Larry was our model. He sort of looks like he is upset with his crossed arms and pout. I know that Larry was not feeling good so maybe I captured his expression correctly. All Images © 2013 L.J. Hancock

Plein Air Painting at Maymont

This morning, I went out to Maymont Park in Virginia, to meet up with some students who wanted to do some plein air (outside with natural light) painting. Only one brave student showed up today. It was chilly and the sun kept hiding from us but I ended up getting a nice little study of theContinue reading “Plein Air Painting at Maymont”

Shenandoah National Park

We were late getting up this morning but it was such a gorgeous day today that we had to go and check out the forest at the Shenandoah National Park, VA. We spent a little time on the Appalachian Trail before we had to head back. The air was crisp and cool and the leavesContinue reading “Shenandoah National Park”

Magic Gardens in Philadelphia, PA

This art environment is a mosaicked gallery space and community arts center. Isaiah Zagar is the artist who created the Magic Gardens. Zagar has devoted himself to beautifying the South street neighborhood in Philly since the 1960’s. He started working on the Magic Gardens in 1994 and it took him about 14 years to createContinue reading “Magic Gardens in Philadelphia, PA”

Friday Night Drawings

Happy Saturday! Last night I went to a much needed life drawing session at the Visual Arts Center. We had a model who seems to be a regular around the Richmond life drawing groups. I really enjoy this model because he is quirky (cracking jokes most of the time) as well as comfortable posing. HisContinue reading “Friday Night Drawings”