This is an image of a mixed media painting that I created in my art journal. I prepared my surface with green acrylic paint long before I knew what I wanted to draw. Doing this ahead of time allowed me to have a fresh green surface to work on, when the need arose. This skull reminded me of a Georgia O’keefe painting and the added flower created a nice contrast.

To prepare my surface, I used an acrylic brush to paint both pages of my (open) journal green. I then scraped a little bit of the paint off to add a few translucent areas and texture to the paper (rather than having a perfectly smooth green surface). I then sketched the skull and flower lightly, in pencil. After roughing in the sketch, I began to add value and tone through layering the crayons. I thought that the pink and red would be a nice contrast to the green background. I even added a little bit of reflected pink/red color into the skull to tie the piece together.

Today’s Figure Study

Charcoal, 18″ x 24″ 20 minutes

Conte Crayon on Paper 18″ x 24″

For the drawing above, I toned the paper first before sketching the figure.

Then I took out the lightest values with my kneaded eraser and added darker values where appropriate.

Conte Crayon on Paper 18″ x 24″

I went to the Open Figure Drawing session at the Visual Arts Center in Richmond today. A local artist, David Tanner, started a Thursday group from 1:00 – 3:30 pm.

We began with 10, 1 minute gestural poses then 3, 20 minute poses and one final 30 minute pose. The drawing above was my first 20 minute pose. I liked the curled position although it did not look very comfortable. I began with a gestural line in conte crayon. Once I had correct proportions of the figure, I smudged the conte crayon to achieve mid tones on the figure. I left the white of the paper for areas with strong highlights. Finally I added darker values by layering and smudging the conte crayon.

One of my students brought me a new sketchbook that she picked up from Booksamillion! Apparently they are going out of business and everything is 40% off. Yay! I decided that I would use this one for figure studies. This study is in sepia pastel. It reminds me of Madam X by John Singer Sargent. I think that it is the hand positioned on the table and the pointed nose.

The drawing below is the last one that I completed today, in my new sketchbook. I decided to work in graphite for this one.

This was a 30 minute pose so I was able to get a few more details in.

The ]Open[ Figure Drawing Show, featuring artworks created during the open figure drawing sessions at the visual arts center takes place this month from September 2 – 30. The opening reception is today September 9, 2011 at the Visual Arts Center in the Dominion Room on the second floor of the Center. I have three works in the show and it is my first group show in Richmond! I will be teaching and cannot attend the reception however the work will be exhibited for the month of September. If you are in the area, take a look! The Visual Arts Center is located at 1812 West Main Street, Richmond VA 23220 (close to Lombardy on Main).

“Open will offer the public an opportunity to view the diverse, inspiring work created by the participants of VisArt’s Open Figure Drawing. The show will include drawings and paintings that are representative of all levels of skill and experience, from advanced, professional artists, to students, beginners and novices.” – VisArts

All Images © 2013 L.J. Hancock

The wind is getting progressively stronger. Our porch door has blown open twice. I decided to get a quick sketch of the trees outside of my studio window to capture the movement. The lights keep flickering! We will probably lose power any minute now. It just goes to show you how beautiful and dangerous nature can be. If you are a part of this hurricane, be safe!

All Images © 2013 L.J. Hancock

Yesterday, I spent the day at the Watermelon Festival. It was very hot but the watermelon was delicious. The streets were full with all sorts people and pooches. Specifically, two pink poodles. I did not have my art journal with me, so I had to come back and document the puppies from memory. One of the poodles has been dyed since last October. When I first saw the woman walking her dog, I thought that it had to do with her Halloween costume (it was in October). Now that almost a year has passed, I realize that she just likes having a pink poodle. I did a little research online because I was concerned for the animals. Apparently the dye in non-toxic and eventually washes out like shampoo. To each his own I guess. You can see my sketch on my Art Journal page. Cheers!

This is a page from my last journal. I painted and collaged on the opposite side of the page. I closed my sketchbook after I finished collaging, not thinking that the paint would still be wet. It made a huge red smear on the opposite side. I used my finger to move the paint around and thought that I saw a silhouette of a person sleeping. I used a gesture drawing of my friend asleep on the bus (that I drew two years ago) to fill the space. I think it turned out ok.

One of the key tips in Artist’s Journal Workshop by Cathy Johnson, is to embrace your mistakes. Don’t rip out a page just because you think that you “messed up.” You can use your mistakes to create something new. Or you can look back to see how you have improved over time.

All Images © 2013 L.J. Hancock