Thursday

'Portrait of a Woman With Dark Hair'


'Portrait of a Woman With Dark Hair'
Oil on canvas 
12" x 12" 

 I enjoyed experimenting with this painting. It has multiple layers, and dramatic surface texture. 

Portrait Pen Drawing and Sketch series continued


This is my pen sketch of an Allori painting. Cristofano Allori was an Italian painter and lived 1577 - 1621.

 My sketch does not perfectly capture the sitter's features as in Allori's painting, but I'm more concerned in the freedom of practice, and personal expression. I simply wanted to use Allori's painting as a jumping off point. There's a simplicity in not being overly strict with yourself. I believe Allori's painting is titled, 'Portrait of a Man'.

Notice, I sketched this with a common, ballpoint pen from Staples.

 

 14" x 11"  Pen on acid-free paper





Monday

Philosopher King - Portrait Pen Drawing and Sketch series continued...






Every community has at least one. A would-be 'Philosopher King'.  You may know who he is. He's eccentric.  He's wide read. At times he has a wild, unkempt look about him, as if he can't quite believe he's here on Earth...





14" x 11" Indelible ink on acid free paper

Thursday

Jane Addams - Portrait Pen Drawing and Sketch series continued






Jane Addams -1860 - 1935 was a philosopher, sociologist, author, and woman suffrage leader.


 She was a prominent reformer of what was called the Progressive Era and brought national attention to issues of concern to mothers, such as the needs of children, and public health.


 She believed women could aid in making their communities better places to live, but they would need the vote to be effective.


Addams became a role model for middle-class women who volunteered to uplift their communities. She also believed world peace could eventually be achieved.




In 1931 Jane Addams received the Nobel Peace Prize for her works.






14" x 11" Indelible ink on acid free paper


I chose to draw Jane Addams because she reminds me of my grandmother on my father's side.

Jane Addams would fall under anyone's definition  of what a 'hero', or 'heroine' is. What would she think about where we are today? Any thoughts?

Monday

"After A Hard Day's Night" - Portrait Pen Drawing and Sketch series continued


I have to admit this dude was fun to draw. So much hair.


He went a bit too far last night...as usual.


He rocked a poetry slam taking extreme literary license. He mixed politics into his art, and had the people on their feet ready to take to the streets in revolt.


...what you gotta' do for your art...



14" x 11" Indelible ink on acid free paper

Saturday

Portrait Pen Drawing and Sketch series continued


I'm working on a new series of  portraits simply done with pen on paper.   Here's one of the sketchbooks I'm using. It's a Robert Bateman. - acid-free  - 11" x 14". The pen has indelible ink.

As a visual person,  I find I'm constantly noticing how faces are 'assembled'. There's a myriad variety of contours, intersecting planes, and surface textures, They range  from the shallow depth of skin stretched over a forehead and skull, to the softer, pliable surface of nostrils, eyelids and jowls.

This particular aging, but still hairy fella was not taken from any existing art, but inspired from contemporary life.

Indelible ink on acid free paper  11" x 14"