Monday, September 28, 2009

Fall Squash in Drawing Class

"Fall Turban"
14" x 12"
Pastel
One of my fellow students bought this beauty while visiting in Pescadaro on the coast. I decided to use pastels and did not have the exact color so I layered yellow-green, black, reddish brown, and deep green. The highlights are a pale grey and the squash surface has some golden yellow. I was pleased that Bob liked what I did. He suggested I add a bit of reflected light into the shadowed underside of the squash, so I used the golden yellow from the table covering. I learn so much about seeing and rendering values from my drawing instructor, Bob Semans. The mastering of faithful rendering is a years-long process, but I can see the work paying off in my paintings.

While doing the bicycle/light rail trip to class, I always have some time to read. Today I studied John Vanderpool's, "The Human Figure, " first published in 1935. The book is on our reading list for the drawing class. John analyzed and recorded the human figure in mass and detail. There are numerous illustrations with each section that deals with a facial feature or body part. Bob always says "we draw what we know, not what we see." Increasing our knowledge of structure, value, light, and perspective will allow us to draw what we see. On the morning ride I studied the eye, learning about the planes, the orbicular muscle, and everything about the structure of the eye and how it is affected by reflected light. On the afternoon return trip, I studied and drew the mouth from different perspectives and made some notes. The mouth is a very complex structure. When I analyzed my charcoal and conte of Gina last week, I mentioned that the right eye and the mouth needed work. I will apply my study to improving the life drawing.

At our Thursday night art group, I transfered my drawing of Gina to watercolor paper and started a wet-in-wet painting using a method described by Jean Pederson in her book, "Expressive Portraits: Creative Methods for Painting Portraits." I'm about a third done. I will also be starting work on a commissioned piece this week and traveling to Asilomar for thee days at the "Carmel Paint Out" sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society for plein air painting on the coast. If you take the link to the society website, I am the person in front on the left in the featured picture of the plein air group at Uvas Falls, a beautiful area in the hills just 10 miles from my home. /p>

6 comments:

Charlene Brown said...

Your turban squash rendering is beautifully done, with a perfect silvery sheen. I thought the shadow was just right and hadn't even noticed the yellow in it - so that must have been exactly the right way to do reflected light!
And you all look to be having a good time at Uvas Falls too.

Unknown said...

Busy busy lady! I'm winded just reading about your day and plans. I love this little squash. I really like that touch of red by the stem. Asilomar will be beautiful and so fun to paint. No teasers on what your commission is going to be huh?

Barbra Joan said...

Mary, Asilomar has been a dream of mine for 20 years now.. What fun.. I follow you all over,, I'm tired!

Mary Paquet said...

Charlene, thanks so much for you comments. When I work in drawing class my results are probably a bit more realistic than when I paint.

Sheila, I will write more about the commission -- it's for a relative on the East Coast that wants a painting of the Paquet Family farm.

Barb, I have been by Asilomar many times and never stayed there. I jumped at the chance this year.

Mary Paquet said...

Charlene, thanks so much for you comments. When I work in drawing class my results are probably a bit more realistic than when I paint.

Sheila, I will write more about the commission -- it's for a relative on the East Coast that wants a painting of the Paquet Family farm.

Barb, I have been by Asilomar many times and never stayed there. I jumped at the chance this year.

FitFoodieMegha said...

You are doing a great job Mary! Congrats!
Pencil Sketch: Rajasthani Man playing flute