Michael G's Sketchbook

[Michael Georges]

Thank you Enzie, it is good to be back.

[Donna Johnson]

Hi Michael,

I am glad you are posting your sketchbook. I wish I could see a lot of the SOG members drawings. I was lucky to get good advice HERE early on about the photos. My life teacher says that all the critical mistakes are made in the first 2 minutes. That is why he makes us do so many 2 min gestures. My only question about that is, why does it take me 5 minutes to do one?

Looking forward to more,
Donna

[Michael Georges]

Hello Donna and thanks for your comments.

I so agree with you that those first minutes are crucial, and as you can see below, it is a lesson I am still learning. :P

I might say that the first session of 20 minutes are when we must be most critical. I used to use the first 20 to place features...these days, I am spending the first two getting placement and proportion right, and then refining it all the way. It is not easy, but Gods is it fun!

[Michael Georges]

Last night's model had such character in her face, and the glasses were wonderful to puzzle out!

Also, I scored about 150 sheets of Fabriano 140lb watercolor paper in 30x40 inch sheets...for free! This is the first of many on that paper, it is wonderful!

I toned the ground on this one with powdered sanguine so I could work a bit with the white sticks.

Enjoy!

[Michael Georges]

When model's don't show, the proprietor is often pressed into service. This is Lanette, who runs the Wild Arts Center where I draw each Tuesday, with a "the model didn't show" expression.

I am finding that my traditional way of doing charcoals - i.e., blending with bristle brushes - is really what I need to be doing. Took one along last night and the coverage an ability to get smoother transitions over the texture of the paper is superior over either a chamois or fingers.

I am also struggling with "next morning syndrome" - she looked great last night, and this morning, I see drawing errors in her eyes that last night I just did not see...

[Michael Georges]

Last night we had a beautiful young lady whom I have drawn before - Chantelle. She came in her prom dress and I decided to pull out the paints. I fought the surface like mad all night and really need to prep boards for painting weeks in advance as this was just too absorbent and just sucked the paint in like crazy and I had a devil of a time pushing anything back and forth.

Still, there are things I like about it, so here it is.

[Michael Georges]

I got lucky last night - great model, all the stars in alignment, and the drawing somehow fell together quite nicely. I am pleased with this one.

I have refined my process with these Cretacolor leads over time. I am beginning with the oil stick to define the shape and place features - it is harder and I can draw more subtle lines, then I switch to the chalk sticks to begin rendering values. Again, blending these with bristle brushes and chamois cloth works wonders! Over time, I am learning how to eliminate that "filling in the lines" look.