Working progress

Sketches and more sketches. I need to hire some models again now that I'm finally discovering the poses I think will work for the images I want to do. I have been using the Canson paper in their multi media sketch pads and they've been holding up pretty well. better than the Moleskine that's for sure.

Gouache study on Canson paper. I treated the gouache more like a water color since I'm not ripping them out of the sketchpad just yet. I thought the paint should stay very thin to keep the paper flexible so the pad can be flipped through. I pushed the full range of values in Photo Shop here. I want to create the perception in these paintings that there is no solid earth to stand on. The tubes and other objects exist with the assumed understanding that they are anchored to something.

This one is still developing. I drew it out on to a panel to paint but now I'm not happy with the image. I may have the model back to do more specific poses for it. Also on this piece I'm going to experiment with putting things in front of the figure to help place it more within the environment.

I'm experimenting with this graphite cake stuff I found at New York Central. It's similar to a cake of watercolor that you can wet with a brush and use on the paper. The graphite works the same way. You can rework it with more water and almost erase it like pencil. I added a little white gouache to it as well. I used a dip pen and Dr Martin matte black ink. The paper starts to bleed a little if you try the ink over the graphite so best to get all the drawing in ink done first!