It's been a long time...

Cindy Procious · 06-19-2006, 04:54 PM

I took a portrait drawing class at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts - and this is the result. The first model quit after 2 sessions, so I don't have much to show for that one.

This is the second one, of Ariel. Fusain Nitram charcoal on Canson Ingres paper- in 4 2-hour sessions, using the Barque method of comparative drawing.

I enjoyed the whole thing immensely - I think I just may have to join the open studio sessions on Tuesday nights at the local art league. I just wish I could find something during the day!

Mary Jane Ansell · 06-19-2006, 07:09 PM

Hi Cindy

What a lovely drawing - so fresh and characterful and wonderfully alive - I particularly love the way you have caught her mouth...

So envious of you working with this model too! She looks just my cup of tea, but perhaps a long way to come for me!!!

Beautiful.

All the best
Mary Jane

Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco · 06-19-2006, 07:36 PM

Hello Cindy,
very nice classical drawing. Thank you for sharing.
Ilaria

Kimberly Dow · 06-19-2006, 07:52 PM

Cindy - that is absolutely lovely!

Linda Brandon · 06-19-2006, 09:49 PM

This is lovely, Cindy. You drew from what I find is the most difficult position, where the nose almost touches the cheek. Hard to get that western eye to turn properly and you did a wonderful job with it.

What is Fusain Nitram charcoal, and can you take a photo of a piece of it?

Sharon Knettell · 06-19-2006, 10:23 PM

Oh good heavens! My beloved Alma Mater, NOT!

I cannot BELIEVE they ARE ACTUALLY having portrait classes. That was ALMOST beneath them when I was there. They preferred we play with sand and explore abstract shapes in charcoal.

Good start, watch the neck area, it seems a bit long. However a lovely job all in all!

You won't believe how this will advance your work in so many subtle ways.

I thought I could go it without this kind of work until I kept running back and forth to the museum to see how poorly my work compared to Sargent , Reynolds, Gainsborough, Sully, Stuart, Copley, Monet, Manet, the list goes on. It was humbling.

Good for you Cindy!

Terri Ficenec · 06-19-2006, 11:17 PM

Hi Cindy-- great work! I especially like how you handled the hair and the mouth.

I'm curious how the class was run. . . were there class critiques of the works in progress, or was each on your own?

Cindy Procious · 06-20-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary Jane Ansell

So envious of you working with this model too! She looks just my cup of tea, but perhaps a long way to come for me!!!

Thanks so much, Mary Jane. Yes - this model was a delight. I haven't had much experience with life drawing, so I don't have a basis for comparison, other than the model who left after only 2 sessions. He was like popcorn - bouncing up out of his chair, and even proceeded to walk around critiquing the students' renderings, and even taking up charcoal or an eraser to help strugglers along! I was appalled at his behavior, but the teacher seemed fairly oblivious to it.

Ariel, on the other hand, is a pro - she sat still as a rock, and gave us 5 and 1 minute warnings before she moved.

She is so tiny - so slight, and her shoulders so narrow that when I put them in they didn't look right.

Cindy Procious · 06-20-2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

This is lovely, Cindy. You drew from what I find is the most difficult position, where the nose almost touches the cheek. Hard to get that western eye to turn properly and you did a wonderful job with it.

What is Fusain Nitram charcoal, and can you take a photo of a piece of it?

Thanks Linda (and Ilaria & Kim!)

Here's a link to the charcoal:
Fusain Nitram

We were asked to buy this brand. It's very nice - lays down a much more expressive line than vine charcoal. I noticed a huge difference.

It's square so it's hard to sharpen. Costs a lot more, so when it snaps off during sharpening and falls into the trash barrel, expletives fly (under the breath, of course)! And it's dumpster diving time! LOL.

Cindy Procious · 06-20-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

Oh good heavens! My beloved Alma Mater, NOT!

I cannot BELIEVE they ARE ACTUALLY having portrait classes. That was ALMOST beneath them when I was there. They preferred we play with sand and explore abstract shapes in charcoal.

Good start, watch the neck area, it seems a bit long. However a lovely job all in all!

You won't believe how this will advance your work in so many subtle ways.

Thanks Sharon.

But I think that you're mistaking where I took the classes. This was not at the Museum School - but rather "Studio Art Classes" in the art studios on the third floor of the museum.

About that neck... I could have used another 4 or 5 sessions to finish this drawing. I didn't get a chance to model any of the neck muscles - which would have, I think, fixed the problem.

Quote:

I thought I could go it without this kind of work until I kept running back and forth to the museum to see how poorly my work compared to Sargent , Reynolds, Gainsborough, Sully, Stuart, Copley, Monet, Manet, the list goes on. It was humbling.

Why would you torture yourself so? LOL. Ignorance is bliss.