Michaela and Casper

I normally do this type of drawing in graphite on Bristol, but I've chosen ink and handmade paper instead.  I use ink so much now that it seems a natural choice, though it was a bit of a challenge.  I started this years ago, and did not feel it was complete, so I left it unfinished.  This is something I almost never do, and it felt brand new to return to it.  It was much easier to finish now,  and I could see what was needed.  I feel so happy to have finally finished this, and love that it will now have a new home.  Painting number 5052 in 5052 days. 

Sweet Augustus

As my portrait journey continues, I am exploring my use of color and brushwork.  The last few portraits were fast and expressive - leading to fresh color and lots of strokes unblended.  As I worked through this one, I was a little more thoughtful with color placement and soft edges.  This little darling is thoughtful and sweet, encouraging me to mimic those qualities in my painting.  I really enjoy this journey and can't wait to see where it leads.  Painting number 2890 in 2890 days. 

Casper

Focusing on portrait work is so much fun with this sweet baby boy on my easel!  I find I can learn SO MUCH by taking deep dives into certain areas of my work. I have long been a portrait artist, first in graphite, later in ink and acrylic, and some in oils.  I'm very comfortable in the black and white, and am now exploring the color like I haven't before. I grow with each painting, and I feel like I am seeing the planes of the face in new ways. Why not get playful with the paint?  I can't wait to see what unfolds as I study portraiture in depth!  Painting number 2880 in 2880 days. 

Mother and Child

I love the feel of graphite pencils in my hand.  The smell of them takes me back to my childhood and the sheer joy of mark making.  The tactile way they glide over the surface of my paper, meeting resistance with the vellum texture of my Bristol board.  With stumps I blend my masses now, where once I used little fingers for this job.  I have quite a selection of pencils and tools, but I only use the 8B.  I love the softness, and rarely choose another.  The pink eraser from childhood is still my favorite, those other fancy ones are just not for me.  I really love spending time with my old friend graphite, especially when a mother's love is my subject!  Painting number 2719 in 2719 days.

First Mate

I love the sound of graphite skimming over paper.  The soft way it glides over the surface with just enough resistance to leave a mark, is so natural, it is a part of me.  I can almost do it with my eyes closed, the very act of drawing is so ingrained.  I'm very particular about my drawing tools.  For graphite, I only like the 8b, water soluble, by Derwent. I have all the various sizes and kinds of pencils, but this is the only one I use except for the rare mechanical pencil.  I only like a pink eraser, though I have many other fancy ones, the 50 cent one is my favorite by far.  I've tried many papers over the years, but for drawing in graphite, I only use vellum bristol board.  I love the torn edges of my handmade papers, so I very carefully applied that edge to the bristol.  A little more trouble, but SO worth it!  My pressed paper blending stubs are also pictured, a must have!  No touching the paper with fingers!  It will not accept the graphite correctly if you do.  This tiny bag of drawing tools has been many places with me, and is like an old friend.  Painting number 2037 in 2037 days.

sold

Sleeping Nolan

This little darling reminds me so much of his daddy!  Tonight, pen and ink are my medium on this handmade cotton paper.  I'm using one of my favorite pens, loaded with cosmic black, which is wonderful to manipulate with pen or brush.  A little water moves the ink, I just need to be careful.  Ink is permanent, so there can be no false marks.  If I'm in doubt, I lay down very light marks until I'm sure of my footing.  This is only my second ink portrait, so in exploring with the marks, perhaps a little looser on this one.  I'm thinking of dropping some lines completely.  There's something to be said for drawing only what is important.  I'll keep playing until I find my way!  Painting number 1836 in 1836 days.

Augustus!

Little Augustus is SO expressive!  His thoughts are written boldly across his face!  After getting a little baby time this afternoon, I take up the fountain pen to render this little darling in ink!  Though I've done many portraits, I've never done them in ink - something about the permanence of it all!  There are no erasers for fountain pens!  So, I made a few tick marks in pencil (like the top, bottom, sides of the face, eye, nose, lip shadow dots) to give me a visual map to start with.  With these dots, I adjusted accordingly as I lay down the ink.  I think I could have done these ticks in ink, and probably will the next time.  I guess I just needed the crutch to get me going!  Once the drawing was in, I used a wet brush to move the ink a little, softening lines and adding shadow planes.  This is a one shot deal.  If I miss the placement of those planes, there's no going back.  No eraser!  I REALLY love the depth of the black ink - I will definitely be doing this again!  Painting number 1826 inn 1826 days.

Little Mackinleigh

Today, I'm switching gears to the soft, impressionistic brushwork of sweet baby flesh!  I am using the limited palette yellow oxide, red oxide, cad red light, cad red medium, indanthrene blue, ivory black and titanium white - all Liquitez heavy body.  I start by laying in the background, allowing the baby to emerge.  In this case, I had all masses in before I even started the flesh tones.  Not my normal method, but I always let the process happen organically.  After a little push and pull, I am going to let this one rest.  I'll take a look tomorrow with fresh eyes, and decide if I need a little tweaking!  Painting number 1453 in 1453 days and day 3 in the current 30 day painting challenge!  :)

Impressions of Nolan

I spent some time cooing over Nolan last night, and today he is on my mind.  His big, blue eyes seem to grow larger every day!  His cheeks and thighs are filling out - and are so squeezable now, I can hardly resist them!  Working from photos I took yesterday, I am using my acrylics and short, impressionistic strokes on this one. Using a dry brush technique, I only go to the water to wash my brush.  No thinning of the heavy body paints, and no mediums.  I am using a Zorn limited palette, and keeping the paint fresh on my small stay wet palette.  I've not used the acrylics for a while, so I am getting reacquainted with my old friend tonight, and of course it is taking a little longer than it should.  It is all about the process, after all.  Am I finished?  I'm not sure, but I'm letting this one rest for now.  Painting number 1315 in 1315 days.

Impressions of Nolan
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

A Father's Love

A Father's Love
graphite on bristol, 11x14
sold

This drawing has been a labor of love.  Tyler is our second child, our first son, and this little darling is the first Dickerson grandson.  Little Nolan has had a challenging start in this world, and I have drawn this from a photo taken in the NICU at Children's Mercy in Kansas City.  So many hours we spent here, with the turmoil of the unknown around us, and the very real joy of a new little life filling our hearts to the brim.  Life is sweet, and these special moments are to be cherished and clung to.  Every day is special, and each child is a gift.  I pray that we have a lifetime to shower little Nolan with love.  Drawing number 1292 in 1292 days.

Up! - for Baby :)

Up! - for Baby :)
Oil on panel, 8x10

My oldest son Tyler, and his wife, Hannah, are expecting their first baby, and this painting is a shower gift for them!  They are decorating in the theme of “Up”, and I hope this gift will be perfect!  Nothing is as special as bringing a new little life into the world.  Those early years roll by so quickly, and one day you blink, and that little bundle of joy is now having their own little darling!  With not even a month to go, we are all anxiously awaiting this new little addition to the family!  This painting makes 1201 in 1201 days!

Little Dreamer

Little Dreamer
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

Oh - today has been SO full!  So many chores to be done, so little time - and all the while, I am "painting in my mind"!  After getting preparations under way for the Thanksgiving feast to come, I arrive late to my easel - once again!  Working from a friend's photo, I start brushing in the colors with short, quick, overlapping strokes.  Beginning with the darks, I mark them all before putting in the flesh.  I like the negatively paint around the head first, I don't really know why but it allows me so much freedom.  Freedom to move the edges, adjust parts up down or sideways, and always working towards a likeness.  It is amazing to watch the painting develop from it's humble beginnings, seemingly with a life of it's own.  This painting makes 1057 in 1057 days :)

The White Bow

The White Bow
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

This little darling was my demo for this afternoon's painting class!  The granddaughter of one of my friends (and a student - though she was not in class today), her photo was on my desktop.   I used her to demonstrate how to lay in the values in black and white while using a color photo.  The emphasis is on using short, impressionistic strokes to define all the planes of the face, all the time getting those values correct.  As I work loosely, a likeness naturally develops. Once I feel her likeness captured - I step away from the brushes!  I want her to be fresh and lively, with plenty of those lush, impressionistic strokes visible. The more I paint these portraits - the more I love doing them! Painting number 1056 in 1056 days :)

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Another late hour at the easel - and it even looked like I might not get it in at all! Painting the grand-daughter of a friend, she is all peace and tranquility as she rests.  These sweet, dreaming faces are a joy to paint!  I have enjoyed concentrating on portraiture this month.  There is nothing like focusing on one subject to get me to hone in on all the specifics.  So fleeting can be the subtle color changes of the planes, sometimes seeing is the most difficult part.  But once that special sight has been achieved, it makes me wonder how I ever missed it.  It is so like the difference between warm and cool colors, and temperature changes make all the difference in a portrait.  Those subtle qualities give life to an otherwise two dimensional painting.   This painting makes 1054 in 1054 days.

Wonder

Wonder
Acrylic on wood, 6x6
purchase here

My second day of painting on the heavily textured surface finds me still longing for the smooth one!  My strokes break over the nap too much, and I’m unable to get the same, smooth brushwork.  I didn’t have time yesterday to get more panels cut - but I feel like I really need to ASAP for these portraits!  The texture would be just fine for landscape work, so I can save them for that.  I need to finish an assignment for my online class today - and I must have the right substrate!  Oh well, this is a lesson learned on preparing panels for portraits.  It really does make a difference in acrylics, where it would not hinder me in oils.  This painting makes 1046 in 1046 days and I’m heading to the store right now!

Baby Alastair

Baby Alastair
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I really like painting these portraits using only black and white!  I set my timer for 40 minutes before I start, and when the time is up - I stop!  I mix as I go, and use no water at all until I am done with the painting - and then only to wash out my brush.  No medium is used with the heavy body acrylics, which allows the colors to be quite strong.  I am using short, impressionist strokes throughout - even for small areas like the pupils and iris of the eyes.  This really adds life and energy in a way straight, hard lines do not.  I am trying to do one black and white and one color portrait each day of this month - determined to master this technique quickly.  I am using filbert brushes - which I have never used (unless you count all of the brights and flats that I have worn down to filberts through the years!).  They make soft, rounded edges to the strokes, that flats simply wouldn't do.  Painting number 1043 in 1043 days.

Saundra and Grandbaby

Saundra and Grandbaby
Graphite on bristol, 11x14
sold

Some pieces of artwork are sheer joy to complete, and this is one of those pieces.  During the very hectic holiday rush, picking up my pencils is like escaping from reality.  Deadlines loom, family heads my way, and the graphites are there to offer sweet release from real life.  Drawing this for a very special friend, it made the joy all the sweeter.  The love between grandmother and baby is so special, and with wisdom comes the knowledge of how short this time truly is.  It was a little tricky to get this drawing finished and delivered - without Saundra's knowledge!  But, the stars were aligned, and all worked out perfectly!  Using my favorite 8B watersoluable graphite, all is sketched, and filled in with just this one pencil.  Being watersoluable, I can take a gently wet brush and darken the areas I want. Once this is done, it is very hard to erase, so one must make sure you use this tool sparingly and with a steady hand.  Pressed paper tortillions are the finishing touch for smooth blending of all skin areas.  This drawing makes 756 in as many days, and Day 25 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Bubble Baby

Bubble Baby
Oil on panel, 8x10
sold

This beautiful baby is my pure joy to paint on this day!  The grand-daughter of a dear friend, this little darling is captured while in the bath - with bubbles gathered around her like a garment!  First sketching her out with pastels on a wood panel, I then started laying in the paint.  Warming the background to contrast with the bubbles, and also create harmony with the skin tones, I then started with the eyes.  I do this in almost all portraits.  Eyes first, then I work out from there to the nose, forehead, mouth and shape of face.  Pushing and pulling the paint, finally the portrait emerges as the sweet likeness I chase.  I love doing portrait work, and don't do nearly enough of it - perhaps that will be one of my New Year's resolutions........this painting is painting number 747 in 747 days, and Day 16 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Sweet Baby

Sweet Baby
Graphite on bristol, 14x11
sold

This time of year finds me very busy finishing up those projects for everyone else!  I think my favorite subject matter for graphite is babies - or mother/father/grandparent with babies!  Their skin is so soft - and beautifully rendered with the graphite on the vellum surface of the bristol.  To work in this very traditional medium is a joy indeed! I start with an overall light line drawing, and then move right to the eyes.  I will finish them completely before touching another feature - and I will work out from there.  The hair and clothing come last, as the real importance lies in the lifelike portrayal of the face.  Artwork number 713 in 713 days.

A Smile While Sleeping

A Smile While Sleeping
Oil on panel, 6x6
not for sale

This little darling is the daughter of a friend who grew up in my son Tyler's class, and whose mother is a dear friend of mine.  She was born two months early, and today we celebrated her with a shower of gifts. Wanting to do something special, I searched through baby photos to find just the right one with such a sweet expression.  There is just somehing about babies that tugs at my heartstrings!  Baby Bryley's skin is so beautiful - and was a joy to capture in oils.  Wishing the whole family a lifetime of joy with this sweetheart!  Painting number 448 in as many days.