This drawing was based on a model I use frequently, thank you Caitlin.

Lesson...always shoot the drawing before it goes under glass!
2.5" by 2.5" graphite

Sketch Book

This is one of my small sketch books where I make studies from life for future projects. Its important to have various sizes and qualities of sketch books for handling wet media and for whatever your particular travel needs may be.

Two studies of an industrial site near my home.

Gouache Painting

Bethlehem Steel Plant -Warehouse

This small painting is from an open warehouse on the Bethlehem Steel property. I have taken photos and sketched from this vantage point on many occasions. The warehouse structure neatly frames out the landscape in the distance, as if it were a traditional frame for a painting. This type of contrast and geometry has always fascinated me. I am lucky to have found this as it is, I'm afraid it will not look like this for very long. Thankfully the nearby architecture that once produced steel has been persevered for future generations.

Komodo dragon Ink

This Komodo Dragon was sketched with a Chinese brush and India ink. I used very limited pencil to just to get a general shape. Conceptualizing the shapes graphically made for an interesting drawing.

figure Drawing

This sketch was done on a paper I use frequently, called Dura-Lar, similar to Mylar.
This pose took a while to get right. Its amazing how many little details go unnoticed until you are far into the drawing. It maybe something small in the pose that would look strange even if it were to be drawn perfectly. Over time the artrist gets better and better at setting up and curtailing any undesirable flaws in a composition.

Architectural painting (study in gouache)

Bethlehem Steel Plant

This is a gouache study of a giant metal form that is still standing. I will work off this small study to create a large oil painting.

There is something interesting about these structures in that they were created for one purpose, the mechanical production of steel; yet they are works of art as if someone designed them for our visual pleasure. I am completely intoxicated by their geometry and textural rust.  I hope to express my reaction to these beauties through paint.

Charles Darwin Portrait

Portrait of Charles Darwin.
Graphite and white pencil on a warm toned paper.

Figure Drawing

Latest figure drawing of Caitlin... a model that I have worked with for about 5 years now. This is a pose that I've been exploring for a while. The foreshortened perspective of a torso is something that has always interested me. In this kind of pose the figure morphs into a landscape that is always  challenging to figure out.

Sketch Book

Studying expressive poses of my hand...easy to pose and the model is cheap.

The art student

 

Artist often express frustration even after years of drawing the figure; frustration usually comes from a lack of understanding and not a lack of ability. I believe there is a misconception that if an artist draws for years on end, that this will produce 'great results'. I think that this concept is quit flawed. It is important for the artist to make a distinction between craftsmanship and art, in doing so he/she will have learned the most important lesson. Art and technique are two very different concepts, remember no one can teach style or expression. Craftsmanship and the ability to solve problems should be the first set of goals, only then can the artist express without barriers. This requires the artist to obtain solid artistic knowledge, and then to apply this in his/her own creative process. This takes a tremendous personal effort that can only come from a deep passion and respect for greater knowledge.

                                      Standing elbow-Graphite on Dura-Lar.

Gestures

Gestures- One of the most underrated aspects in art. It is common to hear people say, lets warm up with some gestures! I think you have to be warmed up to do a gesture. It is the one aspect in art that is very difficult to copy;  In a way, one can copy a portrait or landscape in a so-called style, but a gesture is like a finger print...each unique with the artists intention, observation and skill put down without hesitation...it is what it is, no apologies.

Portrait

Portrait of Boris Karloff-

This drawing was done on Dura-lar paper using OMS and a 6-B pencil.