There's nothing more addicting than life drawing. I'm starting to figure out some of the quirks of it and am pretty happy with the way this one turned out. For those of us that hungout and skateboarded way back in the day this model may look familiar. It's Chance Morris, probably one of the coolest models we've had.

Making Marks

detail

I Finally found a way to use graphite that I really like! Everything just clicked. Things I've learned in class, the way my instructors draw, and last but not least... a demonstration video by a great painter, Casey Baugh. In fact I paused the video during a shot of the model and used it as reference for this drawing. My real goal is to implement all these techniques during Justin Taylor's head drawing class at The Bridge. If I can do this with a live model I'll be stoked. Oh, by the way if you've managed to read through all this, I need more practice life drawing. If you'd like to help me and pose for a drawing, I'll give it to you. this drawing took about 6 hours but if you can't spare that much time and would like to pose for a photo that'd be cool too. Anyway let me know, just leave a comment.

Painting at home

Lately I've become kind of obsessed with this guy named Anders Zorn. He was a painter that lived in Sweden in the 18 and early 1900's. An amazing painter. I can't stop looking at his work. You should look him up. He paints in a style very similar to Sargent, highly representational figurative work with bold brush strokes. Anyway I've decided to copy one of his pieces so here are a few shots of the process.

Show at Springville MOA!

These two pieces will be in The Springville Museum of Art. They're hosting a show for The Bridge. They're hanging the pieces now should be open in a couple days. I just dropped them off. I was lucky enough to bump into Dr. Vern Swanson, the museums director. We talked for like 40 minutes! It was pretty cool to have the attention of such an important figure in the art world. I'm not so sure my art caught his attention, but we talked about education, history, and the future of art. He made quite an impression on me. It's nice to have a person in the community that will just pour out knowledge and opinions about something they've contributted so much to.

An oil sketch from Sean's class. I'm starting to ge the hang of it I think. This is one way of starting a painting. Lay down a quick gesture with the general composition and loose value. Then paint opaque lights over the top after it has dried. The transparent darks absorb the light while the opaques reflect it.

Here's the finished drawing... well as finished as it's gonna get. Ouch! It hurts when you have to start over 9 hours into a 15 hour drawing.

Progress in Justin's class

Here is an update from Justin's head drawing class at The Bridge. I haven't posted anything from this class in a long time. We've been working on extended poses and I haven't been that happy with the last couple so I haven't posted in months. This one, after three classes of failed beginnings, is staring to come around. One more session.

More from Sean's Class

Here are some more Cubist studies from Sean's class. The hydrant was done as a homework assignment and I put about three hours into it. The figure was done in class in about 45 min. I don't think I pulled the figure off as well as the hydrant but I think I'm getting the general Idea now. I've learned to really respect the Cubist movement and will probably try some more in depth studies and paintings in the future

Cubist Study

Here's the latest from Sean's class at The Bridge!

Paintings of movement and motion from Sean's class

Vernon and I went for a little hike the other day, I wanted to see if we could get to Ryder Lake in the Uintas with out hiking the 22 mile round trip I did last Sunday when I missed a turn and ended up in Middle Basin instead of Amethyst Basin. We went straight over an 11,700 ft. saddle between Hayden Peak and Mt. Agassiz. Here are some pics. Starting with the cliff we had to scale.

"Uh, Yup. This here's an arch alright. Mighty fine."

Tweede and the Talus

Vernon checking out the arch that will probably be short lived.

Underneath the arch a perfect wall and window laid by the best stone mason.

It started hailing as we approached the ridge, then thunder and lightning. It was kind of scary but the view was definitely worth it.

Tweede and the Talus

Horrible pics but they're all of the same falls that flow directly into Ryder Lake.

Hayden Peak

Waterfalls everywhere!

One of several ponds in Middle Basin. Spread Eagle peak in the background.

Mt. Agassiz

Time to hike back over the hill. To put things into perspective, what looks like gravel at the top is really boulders several feet in diameter.

One last look at middle basin, and the best pic of the day.

Tweede doing a jig at the top. 12248 ft Mt. Agassiz in the background.

My finest pose. I look like a real dumbass.

A storm building
It just missed us
Looking back at the saddle from the truck

2 color nude

This is a nude done in burnt sienna and ultramarine blue, we're experimenting with temperature in Sean Diediker's class at The Bridge. Not sure how successful this one is, let me know.

Me

All done... for now.
Nu Pastel 9x20

Me

Here's a self portrait I'm working on.

My latest from Jeff's class at the bridge. Next week he'll probably tear it apart and make me draw simple shapes that make up the figure until I get it right. I thought I'd get it up before I realize everything that's wrong with it. If you really want to learn how to draw you've got to go to The Bridge!

Class Paintings

A couple of quick single color paintings from my design class at The Bridge.

Class Drawing

My first live figure drawing in 6 weeks. Woohoo, it's good to be back at The Bridge full time! I'm back to drawing at least 25 hours a week, Hoo-ray! (I'm a dork)

Bouguereau Study

A head study of Bouguereau's "Young Shepherdess" I was lucky enough to see in person while in San Diego.

Bottle Green Nu Pastel
18X10

Class Drawings

Nude
Graphite 11 x 22

Pamela Standing
Sanguine Conte Crayon
21 x 9

Some drawings I started a few months ago that I should really get around to finishing.

Pamela

Another stylized drawing of Pam, one of my favorite models at The Bridge.