Last month I taught a portrait workshop in Oklahoma City at Geatches Studio. My demo sketch of our first model is shown at left and below, along with the demo sketch of another model.
I like to start the class showing how to look for shapes and build the form with darks first and then add the lights.
Charcoal and chalk on toned paper are ideal for quick studies and the medium is easy for making corrections. It's always fun to introduce this drawing technique, especially to those who have not yet tried it.
(left) "Anna" charcoal/chalk on cotton paper approx. 16x11" ©2014 Diana Moses Botkin
(right) "June" charcoal/chalk on cotton paper approx. 14x10" ©2014 Diana Moses Botkin
"Palouse Sunset" oil, 8"x10"
©2014 Diana Moses Botki
SOLD
This piece is one I painted en plein air a few months ago. I'd driven out looking for a good spot to paint, pulled over a couple of times, then changed my mind and drove on, looking for something to catch my eye.
The light was going fast, so I parked my van and got my paints out to catch the sunset light on the Palouse hills. But then I turned around and saw the sun peeking through that tree and knew I had to try capturing the contrasts and color.
As sometimes happens when painting at the end of day, the light simply disappears. At such times, one is left nearly painting in the dark. Colors are especially difficult to judge. Edges are too, with fading eyesight and failing light. And there is no snapping a photo reference for later reference, as it is an exercise in futility.
So, I've been revisiting this study off and on for several months, fixing an odd shape here or there and evaluating the piece, trying to remember the colors while I was there. And so, here it is, the impression of the moment that caught my eye.
"Uriah's Wife" Oil on linen, 12"x9"
©2014 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD
I'm pleased to announce that this painting has been juried into Scottsdale Artists’ School’s 2015 Best and Brightest. If you can't see the show in person, you can enjoy it online here.
The 2015 show and sale opens January 9 and hangs through February 27, 2015.
Two other pieces I submitted were not accepted and when I first skimmed the rejection letter I thought that all three of my entries had been rejected. Those letters of non-acceptance (I've gotten many) are usually very gently worded to let us down easy, but I confess I was disappointed. So it was doubly joyous to get the acceptance email for my painting of "Uriah's Wife".
I have another Portrait Workshop scheduled in Oklahoma City soon. Dates are Thursday and Friday, November 13th and 14th. It will be held at Geatches Art Studio in the Paseo District.
I'll be doing demos from live models and teaching how to capture a likeness in charcoal and then in oil.
My goal for this workshop is to help participants see the model, and develop skills in capturing a likeness. No matter the style or experience I will try to assist and encourage each one.
Students can follow my lead for using charcoal to start with and then trying a portrait in oils. Or if some would like to work in charcoal for all sessions, that's okay.
Please message me if you'd like more info, or visit the event page about it on facebook.
As I mentioned recently, that pile of unfinished paintings in the corner taunts me from time to time. This one needed something even though it had a lot going for it. It had been sitting for a couple of years, so I added a few touches to tie it together and am calling it done.
That amazing show of glowing green sky at the horizon contrasted with the scarlet clouds is what captured my fancy.
"Sunset Splendor Show" Oil, 8"x8"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin
The knats and flies are swarming these days in our neck of the woods. This makes for misery when painting outdoors... not as bad as mosquitoes biting, but annoying none the less. Crazy making if they're really active: bugs in the eyes, ears and nose and flying into one's clothing and into wet paint. Ah the joys of plein air painting.
(above, left) "Way Over Yonder" oil 8x10"
(above, right) "Hood Awakes" oil 8x8"
(below, left) "Clear Palouse Afternoon" oil 10x10"
I'm pleased that three of my paintings have again been accepted this year to the MAC Art Auction, benefiting the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.These three plein air pieces are framed and delivered to the museum for the auction preview.
The gala event happens on November 8, 2014 at the historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane Washington. Please visit this link for tickets, information and online catalog.
(left) "Sky Light" oil 4"x6"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD
Here is a simple little study from a brief glowing moment. This was a plein air piece I did during a paint out a couple of years ago on a day when nearby forest fires pretty much ruined long-distance visability.
The three studies I did that day seemed like failures but this one just needed a little more color and contrast to represent the drama I'd seen.
(top left)
"Deep Slumber”
Original drawing, approx. 10"x18"
Charcoal and chalk on grey paper
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin
I mentioned in a previous post about uncovering previously undocumented and unphotographed work while straightening and filing in my studio space.
Although there were some pieces which were not worth saving, here are a couple which I didn't relegate to the wood stove. To purchase, simply contact me.
(lower left)
“Deep in Thought”
Original drawing, approx. 16"x11"
Charcoal and chalk on grey cotton paper
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin
"High Against the Sky" Original oil 10"x8"
©2014 Diana Moses Botkin
Although portrait and figurative subjects are my favorites, I also love painting skies. Landscapes, especially in beautiful light, continue to inspire.
When I first tried plein air work, I was surprised how impossible it felt to capture a scene before it changed completely! During the past decade of painting on location I have managed to pull together some decent pieces and also wipe off more than a few failures. Rubbing shoulders with other plein air painters shows me I'm not alone with the difficulties.
Since the return from my winter art trip I've had more catching up to do than I care to mention. But I've checked stuff off my to-do list. That, at least, feels like some things have been accomplished. Doing taxes, major cleaning, and weeding are certainly not what I like doing, but I'm glad to get them done. I'm enjoying having them done (at least for a little while).
During some recent organizing of my limited studio space I discovered a small pile of drawings I'd set aside before my journey. The sketches had not been photographed or put in my inventory list. At the time I had lots to do to get ready for my extended trip.
I had also been asked to do more evaluations of art materials for a well-known company. These first two sketches shown here, I did to assess sets of charcoal sticks and the last one I did using a line of charcoal pencils they plan to market.
Please contact me if you would like more information about these studies, or my other work.
Over a year ago, I was contacted by Staedtler after they saw one of my figure drawings.
The international art materials company based in Germany was redesigning several lines of supplies and wanted me to develop art for each line, similar to my drawing they liked. They planned to use the pieces for their new packaging and related advertising.
So, finally the first product line is ready for market, the Tradition® pencil sets. I created this special drawing you see at right, using their products.
Last year when I was testing out the pencils and working on this drawing to meet their deadline, I hinted at the process in some blog posts. I'm so happy to finally be able to show you my work.
I saw Staedtler's advertising for the first time yesterday for the Tradition® pencil set (in Drawing magazine), which shows my work in the ads. I feel blessed and honored to have my art shown off by Staedtler. Soon there will also be a couple of other products with my work on the package. I'll let you know when those are out!
One of my larger paintings I completed during this past year brought some interesting remarks. One friend noted that she had stood in doorways of new residences many times like this, wondering how to make the empty place seem like home.
(left) "New Place"
Oil on hardboard, 24"x18"
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin
This painting of a woman behind lacy curtains, peeking out from the window in an old house is sold, but reproductions can now be ordered in several sizes, on canvas or art paper, framed or not. They are available at my online print gallery, in the figurative/portrait section.
And there's a special offer this month when you purchase any size print from the gallery: order before the end of July and receive a $100 gift certificate from NakedWines.com!
Two new pieces have been added to my giclée reproductions gallery. You can find them in the figurative/portrait section. Both images are available on canvas or art paper, framed or unframed, in several sizes. Cards and phone covers can also be ordered.
And here's an amazing deal: order during the month of July and receive a $100 gift certificate from NakedWines.com!
Three different models posed for these studies. These are all I have left to show you from my trip this winter, except a few pieces that still need work.
Now that I'm back on the farm at home, I sure am missing the Open Studio opportunities from my travels. Of course I have plenty to do here, and it's time to get out and about for plein air painting. But I do miss studying with the models.
Three different models posed for these studies, in the dramatic lighting I like.
Here a more drawings: studies of two different models. As you can probably tell, I prefer dramatic lighting. It's especially interesting on the dark background.
Using the black paper really forces some concentration.
One has to work backwards from the usual practice of blocking in shapes with the darks. Laying down the lights first to define the form feels quite awkward when one is used to doing shadows first. I'm usually pleased with the results, though.
These studies from life are all drawn in pastel on black canson. Please contact me to purchase them, or others here at my blog.
These drawings on watercolor
paper turned out to look quite different from the ones I've done on
charcoal paper or the grey paper I often use for quick sketches.
More often than not, I prefer to work on a medium tone paper (such as grey or tan) but I had this heavy white watercolor paper in my drawing satchel and it sort of called to me.
I think it said, "Try something different for a change"... or maybe it was, "Don't be afraid to work out of your comfort zone".
I liked using it, although it was not forgiving for changes. That's one of the reasons I usually prefer the cotton charcoal paper. It's fairly easy to wipe lightly drawn mistakes off with a sleeve or rag when using the cotton paper. But I did adjust to the working qualities of the watercolor paper, and the texture made for interesting results.
"More from life" could mean several things. There is a lot from our lives which we could share: our stories of happiness and heartache, a bouquet from the garden, a meal, a cup of coffee.
And life drawings. Here are a couple more from my winter hours working away. This is the same lovely model in the vintage dress from my last post.
The drawing at the top left is from that open studio session in the costume and the one on the right is a separate occasion where she modeled nude. Her pose in shoes with the phone is quite fetching, don't you think?
I'm glad I can share these with you. I'll have other pieces to show you as the weeks tick by and I get them online.
This lovely model was such fun to study in her antique costume and hairstyle.
Even the simple warm-up sketch ("Shift", at left) has interesting line and pose.
These were some more of the studies I did this winter on my trip at open studio sessions. Looking at them now, weeks after I drew them, I see this young lady moving from pose to pose in an intriguing dance. The connection of drawing or painting from life builds a strong artistic bond with the subject, whether it is a still life, a landscape, portrait or figurative study.
In the Open Studio sessions I attended this winter, there were different body types and ages in the models.
Some were more challenging for me to find ... what do I call it?... inspiration, beauty, grace... that certain something that makes a pose or figure interesting and aesthetically pleasurable. These ideas are, to many modern minds, rather old-fashioned. So be it. Beauty is what motivates me to make art. Without it, painting or drawing is merely an exercise.
That is not to say, I always get it. I might try on any given occasion and fail completely.
Last week I painted over a number of ugly paintings. There are probably many many more of my works that should go in the burn pile. With a little time and distance emotionally from any of my paintings or drawings, I expect more and more will wind up there. Maybe these. For now, I'll show them to you.
