Faces!

Here are some sketches of my sister and fiancé. I started with some sketches without looking at the page for observational practice.  Not looking at the page helps to focus on details in the face that can be warped by memory and pre-conceived ideas of what a face should look like.
The outcome, although slightly messier has a more life-like quality and an essense of the person which I find can be lost when a drawing is overworked. 

This is a drawing I did of Thom about 1 year ago.  I thought I would post it to demonstrate what happens when a drawing becomes overworked. He looks so still and flat like a 14th century portrait. 

Matisse Style

It turns out that drawing in the style of Matisse is not easy!

 I used a large stick of charcoal to avoid getting too tied down with detail. I have managed to loosen up in brief interludes- this shows mostly in my second drawing.

I actually completed about ten drawings including some swift 10, 20 and 30 second drawings which were challenging but helped me to get the main shapes on the page without being too fussy.

My version of the Matisse reclining nude. 

Matisse Inspiration

Tomorrow morning my friend is coming round to model for me. I shall attempt some studies in the style of Matisse. 

Matisse- Reclining Nude

 The above charcoal reclining nude by Matisse is an excellent example of what can be done with some carefully placed lines and smudges of charcoal. You can really feel the gentle twist and curve of her body and the softness of the skin. Drawings to follow....