Roche

[Chris Saper]

Charcoal and white charcoal on Canson, 22"x 18"

Here's a sketch from last week, via a group I am lucky enough to paint with on Fridays. The older I get, the slower I seem to get In a 2-3 hour stint, I can never get far enough in oil to feel like I am doing much useful pracitce.

And wouldn't you know it, I show up with only charcoal, and we have a gorgeous model, rich in color, great clothing. Sigh.

[Carl Toboika]

You've done a strong head and sense of character. I like it a lot Chris, especially the way you handled edges along the outside. In 3 hours maybe I'd finally get set up and ready to start in oils

[Rob Sullivan]

Even in your big, full color oils, there is a sense of freshness and immediacy that are direct kin to drawings such as this. There's great character and movement in this profile. I get a sense of richness which - in a way - suggests color.

I'm with Carl on this one. I can paint a gourd or perhaps a wine bottle in a 2 hour session. A portrait? Oof, I really need to be on fire to have that happen.

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Rob Sullivan

Even in your big, full color oils, there is a sense of freshness and immediacy that are direct kin to drawings such as this. There's great character and movement in this profile. I get a sense of richness which - in a way - suggests color.

I'm with Carl on this one. I can paint a gourd or perhaps a wine bottle in a 2 hour session. A portrait? Oof, I really need to be on fire to have that happen.

Chris,

Rob is right. Even without "color" your work is exuberant and exuding with color effects! There is so much energy and life in this portrait. The way you use black and white, they are colors. Well done!

Garth

[Chris Saper]

Gentlemen (and yes, you are),

Thanks for your very kind words. The white charcoal pencil is a wonderful tool, since it can be handled delicately (not my strong suit!), and still leave room to go lighter and brighter with a touch of White NuPastel.

[Carol Norton]

Chris, EVERYTIME I see one of your paintings I am filled with gratitude that I can study with you at Scottsdale Artists' School. Your work exhibits the very qualities that I wish someday to demonstrate in my own paintings: beauty and strength. I know that certain music can bring forth a rush of instant, unplanned emotion, but so does seeing your beautiful work. Just the act of seeing your work, Bill Whitaker's, Linda Brandon's and Sharon's K.'s, causes something to grab me around the throat and make me want to cry. What IS that?!!!

My appreciation for your insightful expertise grows with every painting that I paint, guessing at the hours of effort that have gone into the creation of such paintings ... a humbling experience.

Carol Norton