New Dancer Drawing

"Early Rehearsal", 20 x 16", mixed media on paper

"Early Rehearsal" is part of a series of dancer studies I'm working on in preparation for a group exhibition of dancer paintings. The exhibition is tentatively scheduled for Spring, 2014 and will include myself and three other figure artists.

This study was done using watercolor as an underpainting for the drawing. After the watercolor dried, I develooped the figure using Conte pastel pencils and charcoal, keeping the color palette very limited.

My young model, Adrienne, is a terrific dancer and artist's model.

New Painting "Morning Commute"

Morning Commute, 19  22", watercolor

Continuing with my series of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, "Morning Commute" captures a house painter walking to work in the South Side of Pittsburgh. The South Side neighborhood is a wonderful mix of working class/hipster, old/new, traditional/contemporary tensions.

I captured a photo of the painter one morning as I was walking around the city with my camera. He was walking so fast for someone carrying a ladder! I had trouble getting a decent photo. 

I started with a value sketch to combine several pieces of photos to make a strong composition.

I worked on a very small color study to determine my palette.

I painted a larger study, about 1/4 size the final. It's here I work out most of the details and make further design decisions. 

Even with all this preparation, I will continue to make changes during the final painting. For instance, you can see that I decided to crop the painting to a square format and take out the sandwich board you see on the left.

South Side Rises

As part of my series of paintings of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, I decided to try a landscape of one of my favorite neighborhoods, the South Side. For the past 10 years, I have only painted portraits and figures, so painting a landscape without a figure as a focal point has me out completely of my comfort zone. What fun!!

This painting is from a photo taken by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette photographer Darrell Sapp, on a frosty morning, just after sunrise. The smoke rises from the chimneys, thus the title of the painting, "South Side Rises".  

I often go into the city to photograph people for my paintings. Next time I'll have to include photos of urban and landscapes around the city as well. 

This is small study of "South Side Rises". I wasn't sure how to work out the timing of all the layers so this was a helpful step before I started the final painting.

New Watercolor--Girlfriends

Something I've found helpful for my workshop students is to show them the steps that go into a painting before I ever pick up a brush. Most are surprised at the amount of preparation I do for larger paintings. 

The Story

I encountered a group of women sitting together in Charleston, SC, chatting and laughing together as they were waiting (for what, I don't know). I envisioned them as old friends who have shared countless stories of family life, man troubles, work struggles and now, as they age, health issues. I wanted to capture that comfortable, easy relationship that women have with their longtime friends.

The original image was very busy and needed changes to make a cohesive design.

 I started with a black and white value sketch to find a composition that will tie the figures together.

  

 

I picked my palette of color.      


 

  

 I painted a small (4x6) study based on the value sketch.                              




I painted a larger study and worked out more details, background, color and values. If the painting works at this half size, it should work at the larger size.



The finished painting!

"Girlfriends"
19 x 25"
watercolor

Red Chalk Sketches

It's amazing how something as simple as a piece of chalk and a scrap of paper can bring so much enjoyment.

 

Saturday's figure session featured fellow artist Jeff Outlaw and the lovely dancer Joanna as models. Both drawings are red and white chalk over a watercolor wash.

 

Sunday afternoon sketch

Bask, 10 x 13", mixed media

This sketch was done in a few hours using Conte pastels and charcoal over oil-primed paper. I have a GIANT roll of white drawing paper, so I'm trying to find the best way to use it. 

It's much easier to work on a mid-value background than white, so I started by priming the paper with oil paint and letting it dry. It took a little getting used to. The charcoal and pastel didn't blend or smear the way I am used to, nor did it erase easily. I may have brushed the oil paint on too heavily becasue it took a week to dry. Overall, despite the frustration, I think the effect is nice. I'm looking forward to experimenting more with this paper.

I'm curious; what do you use for your drawings? Do you ever prime your drawing paper? If so, do you use charcoal, oil paint, watercolor, or something else? If you use oil, what is your process?

Mixed-Media Figure Sketch

"Waiting", 18 x 12", ixed media

Our lovely model was in between poses when I snapped this photo. I developed the drawing back in my studio after laying down several washes of watercolor. I used charcoal and Conte pencils to define in the figure.

 

 

 

 

New Drawings--Dancer Series



Spent, 12 x 18", charcoal and Conte on paper



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This couldn't be more fun! I'm working on a series of dancer studies--drawings that will be developed into paintings for an exhibition. Initially, I started the drawings in a straightforward manner, capturing the dancers in between performances (as in the bottom three). I was so anamoured with their muscle tone and the textures of their outfits. I think, however, the direction I want to go is to create paintings that have more abstract qualities or an unusual perspective, such as "Spent" above. What do you think? Which drawings do you find interesting or no so interesting? I'd love to hear your feedback. (The bottom three drawings were done for a charity event and are not for sale.)

 

Second Thoughts, 18 x 12", charcoal and Conte on paper















 














 

 





Reworking a Painting

I often re-work paintings, sometimes years after they are "completed" and framed.

 

The painting below, Wedding Gloves, is a perfect example. It was a painting that I liked but never loved; I just wasn't sure what to do about it. One afternoon, I took it out of the frame and started re-working her features, softening the edges and lightening the values. I obscured one of her eyes and softened the curve of her mouth. It looked better, but I still wasn't happy with it. Finally, I lowered her hairline. Aha! Now it is finished. I think the second version has more of the youthful anticipation and attitude that I was trying to convey. What do you think?


























Wedding Gloves, 22 x 25", watercolor
 

Mixed-media Figure Drawing

My Tosca, mixed media, 17 x 20" (incluidng 3" mat)

I love the music from the opera, Tosca, but I've never liked the final act. In the end, Tosca throws herself off a balcony to her death after finding out that she has been tricked and her lover has been killed. I'm all for passionate love stories, but I always saw Tosca as strong and resilient, not someone who would impulsively kill herself. I want to say, "C'mon, girl. You can survive."

Our figure model, Rae, does some incredibly nice poses. This one reminded me of that final scene (how I would like to see it) and I think it feels vulnerable. I started with a wash of watercolor on paper, then drew the figure using vine charcoal and Conte pastel pencils in white, red and black. The result is moody and somber, a woman in mourning. 

Latest watercolor, "Finding Solace"

 

When I paint from a reference photo, there is one thing I try to keep in mind throughout the process: What is the story I want to tell? It doesn't need to be a literal story; it can also be a mood, feeling or emotion. 
.
In the case of "Finding Solace", I snapped a quick photo of this man in San Francisco. What drew me to him was was his expression; he looks as if he has lived a long, weary life. I started thinking about where he might have lived as a young man. For some reason, I thought of Eastern Europe. From there, I imagined a dreary, urban scene, not the colorful background in the actual photo. Then I found this image of a fence with snow on it and I knew I had my story.

 

It's up the the viewer to add their own ideas of what this painting might say to them. Who is this man and where is he? What does the fence signify? Is it literal or symbolic?

2ND ART IMMERSION RETREAT

We are excited to be planning the 2nd Art Immersion Retreat at the Mansions on Fifth in Pittsburgh, Pa. Last year's event was such a success that two additional workshops have been added. The 4-day workshops will be held during the summer, a beautiful time to visit Pittsburgh.

 

The Retreat

The newly-renovated McCook Reed House, next door to the Mansions, will be reserved for the artists and workshop use. The retreat includes the four-day workshop, a Sunday evening welcome reception and cocktail party, daily breakfast, lunch and snacks, four nights lodging, and full use of the Mansions facilities.

 

The Four-Day Workshop

"Creating Stories Without Words"

July 29 - August 1, 2013

 

We will start with the basics of design, composition and achieving a likeness in watercolor. As the workshop progresses, we will focus on creating a work of art that tells a story, elicits a mood or reveals an emotion.
We will learn:
How to achieve a likeness and accurate values

About light and form

How to use color effectively

Exercises for good design and composition

To go beyond the photograph and tell a story with our art

Class Description and Materials List

 

Pricing

For pricing, click here. For reservations, please contact Mary Del Brady at mdb@mansionsonfifth.com or 1-800-465-9550.

ARTISTS ON A BUDGET
If you are looking for an amazing creative experience that also fits your budget, invite a friend. We have a great deal for artists sharing a room.

COUPLES GETAWAY
There is also special pricing for couples. While you are attending the workshop, your spouse or partner can spend the day exploring the city or just enjoying in the ambiance of the Mansions. You have the evenings free to dine at the many wonderful restaurants around Pittsburgh, grab a cocktail at the Mansions bar with the other guests, or just rest up for the next day in your luxurious room.

 

Take A Tour of The Mansions

 

Created by Table Magazine

The McCook Reed House

 

 

New Watercolor Workshop "Creating Stories Without Words"

 

This is "workshop week"--developing new ideas for upcoming workshops for 2013/2014. The first workshop will be a one-day class in Pittsburgh on April 20, 2013. Below is the syllabus and materials list. If you would like to join us for "Creating Stories Without Words", simply download the signup form and send it in with your payment.

SYLLABUS/SIGNUP FORM
MATERIALS LIST

 

 

 

 



"Pratique Des Arts" watercolor magazine

I was delighted to be included in the November issue of "Pratique Des Arts" magazine as one of five artists from "Des Etats Unis" (United States).

I was not familiar with the magazine before being approached for inclusion, but it turns out to be a very popular watercolor magazine in France. The design and printing were beautifully done and it was quite an honor to be included. Thank you to the publisher and editors!

New watercolor series: Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

 

 

The Sweep, watercolor, 24 x 20"

I have my fingers in a few different pots at the moment. Finishing up the last two portrait commissions scheduled during 2012 is my first priority. Once finished, I can concentrate on upcoming shows and workshops.

 

SHOWS

"Pittsburgh Neighborhoods" is a series of paintings for an upcoming Spring show. One of the great aspects of this project is that I have discovered areas of Pittsburgh that I've never seen before. For someone who's lived here most of her life, it's been exciting!

Pittsburgh has a wonderful array of old neighborhoods with steep, winding streets and dramatic hillsides. There are more bridges here than in any city in the US. I love wandering the streets with my camera and shooting whatever captures my interest.

 

WORKSHOPS

I have been scheduling workshops through 2014. I'm looking forward to traveling to North Carolina and Florida to hold 3-day workshops. I am also excited to be returning to teach a 4-day Art Immersion Retreat at the Mansions on Fifth. Check my website for updates.