Tom in the wind

[Jean Kelly]

This drawing is 19" x 15", NuPastel and pastel, on Canson 80lb drawing paper. First the paper was toned with pastel. Necessity is the mother of invention, I didn't have any toned paper and wanted to use white this time so made my own. My husband graciously posed and I got to draw lots of lines.

Jean

[Julianne Lowman]

I really like the freshness of the portrait and how loose your strokes are. How long did this take to complete?

[Jean Kelly]

Thank you for the positive feedback. Its always appreciated. This was a quickie, took approximately 2 hours. I've been trying to recapture the old fluidity and assurance that my drawing had 30 years ago. Half of my brain is a control freak, the other wants to let it rip. Balance, balance, balance.

Jean

[Margaret Port]

Hi, Jean,

Your talent must have been awesome 30 years ago if this is an attempt to recapture a lost talent. It is a very professional and accomplished piece to be proud of, especially given the brief amount of time taken to achieve it. I am very impressed.

Merry Xmas.

[Jean Kelly]

Hi Margaret. Thank you for the compliment, I've been working very hard. When I was young and foolish I lived to draw. Then life interfered in my plans. Now I'm 51, children are grown, so I've become "foolish" again. My adult sons still don't quite understand my lack of interest in their little dramas. It's becoming easier to advise them to just go figure it out! Don't get me wrong -- I love them deeply, but gave them all I had to give when they needed it. Now it's my turn.

I have a schedule, I read and study in AM. Paint all afternoon and draw at night. My current husband (2nd) is behind me 100%. Heaven on earth!

Jean

[Linda Brandon]

Jean, this is a very good drawing. I'm glad you're posting your work and I hope you'll remain undaunted. You sound disciplined and focused. Don't let anything, be it rejection or indifference, stop you from creating your work.

I believe that the only way to achieve improved drawing skills is to work from life, as difficult as it so often is. Two hours is a short time to create a portrait, but it can be an eternity to the sitter. That must be a good man you've got there.

[Jean Kelly]

Much of this portrait was done after he posed. I placed landmarks and then just had fun with all the lines. He has so much hair and so many wrinkles that it doesn't really matter if they're not placed exactly!

Jean

[Jean Kelly]

Linda, I forgot to thank you for your compliment! Thanks. When I tried to respond earlier my perfect husband kicked me off the computer, now he wants to again! So I'm out of here again. I wanted to discuss the fire that sometimes comes along with intense concentration, so will later. In the meantime here's a detail.

Jean

[Sharon Knettell]

Jean, beautiful job! I wish I could get my crusty ole guy to sit.

Ah yes, the computer wrangling. What I do on the computer is frivolous, but his scientific work is gonna save the world tomorrow!

[Jean Kelly]

Sharon, I very much appreciate the compliment on Tom. I realize that you can be a harsh critic (you said so) so now I feel really good about this pastel. I'll have to work fast and on fire more often. While I was doing this I was totally focused and literally unable to do anything else until it was done. I wonder if others have been in this incredible state. If I were to work at this intensity all the time I would probably burn my brain out!

I'm so familiar with Tom's features that it is possible to draw him by "seeing" him in my head. Wish I could do that with everyone and on command. He's also fun because of all the character in his face. Grab that husband of yours and show us his crusty face. I love people with "life" written all over their faces. Maybe you could draw him while he's on the computer! Oh no, Tom just walked in, so now I have to get off again ...

Jean