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. 
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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.

Walter Foster Publishing's Artist Spotlight

I love working with the crew at Walter Foster Publishing. They are so supportive and incredibly talented. This month I was happy to find out that I am featured in their "Artist Spotlight". Thank you!!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Peggi Habets 

September 28, 2012 By Stephanie Meissner Categories: Artist Spotlight, Peggi Habets (above) Disquiet, watercolor For watercolor artist Peggi Habets, drawing and painting have been a part of her life since childhood. After studying graphic design in college and working as a designer and art director for 15 years, Peggi decided to return to her original passion—fine art. "I started studying with several well-known painters and discovered, to my delight, that watercolor is an exciting medium to work with,”says Peggi. While Peggi also loves working with dry media like charcoal and pencil, her medium of choice is watercolor.“Watercolor has a fluidity and spontaneity that I have not found with any other medium,”Peggi says. Read more

An Art Immersion Retreat at the Mansions on Fifth

The first ever Art Immersion Retreat was a rousing success! The retreat included three full days of watercolor portrait painting instruction by yours truly, discussion, and critiques in the luxurious surroundings of the Mansions on Fifth.

The Mansions is a turn-of-the-century restored boutique hotel located in Shadyside, a beautiful neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pa. The participants stayed at the Mansions, enjoyed a sumptious breakfast and lunch each day, painted in the spacious parlor, and afterwards, explored the amazing sites of Pittsburgh. We also had a private tour of the Carnegie Museum of Art's new "Impressionism in a New Light" exhibition.



We painted each day in the beautiful, light-filled parlor of the Mansions.




After a hard day of painting, it's time to relax in the bar.

Ah, spoiled rotten! A delicious lunch was created by Chef Eric

and served in the dining room each day.

The Art Immersion crew heads to the Carnegie Museum for a private tour

of the new Impressionist show.

I hope you can join us for next year's retreat. To keep the personalized, intimate feel of the retreat, space will be limited to no more than 12 participants. Stay tuned for details!



Sketching "Degas" ballerinas

What a fun night we had! I was invited, along with two other artists, to partcipate in the Carnegie Museum of Art's Bastille Day pre-party fundraiser. The evening included French food, champagne, music and ballerinas from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. The event took place at Galerie Werner in the wonderful surroundings of the Mansions on Fifth, a boutique hotel in Shadyside, Pa. The ballerinas were dressed in degas-type outfits and re-created some of the famous poses from Degas' paintings.

We will be donating one of our sketches to the official Bastille Day fundraiser at the Carnegie on July 17 to benefit the art museum.

Below from top:

Sketching from a live model during the event

Artists Claire Hardy, Jeannie McGuire and Peggi Habets with their sketches

The artists with the owners of the Mansions, MaryDel Brady and Richard Pearson

A finished sketch

Beauty and the Beast opening reception

What a wonderful night it was! Months of planning, painting and meetings, culminated in a spectacular opening with over 150 guests in attendance. "Beauty and the Beast: Figures and Faces of Pittsburgh's Industrial Landscape" will run until September 1, 2012 at Galerie Werner in the Mansions on Fifth Hotel.

Each of the four artists contributed their vision of Pittsburgh, past and present. I focused on the neighborhoods surrounding the steel mills, some of them completely unchanged to this day.

With my comrades in art, Claire Hardy, Jeannie McGuire and Christine Swann

Below are some of my paintings on display at "Beauty and the Beast", from top to bottom:

Stroll, 20 x 16"

Waiting, 40 x35"

My Castle, w/c, 29 x 35"

The Watchman, 32 x 25"