kencrocker

Another iPad Drawing

My version of the yellow house, drawn on my iPad while in Minneapolis to see “Rembrandt in America.” Van Gogh really admired Rembrandt.

Pears

It’s pear time in our backyard. They’re everywhere. I drew these two on my iPad, using Procreate, a new drawing app I really like.

Another tough night in open drawing studio

Last night was another one of those times when I just didn’t have it. Like a pitcher (I’m a big baseball fan) who just “didn’t have his stuff.” Of course, unlike the pitcher in front of thousands, I could have just walked out, but after taking a short break I made myself stick it out.… Continue reading Another tough night in open drawing studio

Plein Air Paintings

These are a few outdoor paintings I did at the end of May to get ready for a workshop I did with Joe Paquet in St. Paul the first week in June.

Watercolor Figure

Painted yesterday in P&C open studio. I got some 300 lb watercolor paper so I could scrub out unwanted color (thanks Scott Burdick for your little Walter Foster book, very helpful).

New watercolor

This is a painting I did I one of the long open studios at the Palette and Chisel. After about a year of attending quick sketch studios at the P&C, I finally worked up my courage to try working in a long studio. There are some really good painters, and I wasn’t sure I know… Continue reading New watercolor

Color Squares

I’ve been painting pages and pages of colored squares, like these three samples. Since I often have a hard time sitting down to “make art”, this is an easy way to get something painted in an hour or less. It also helps me to see colors “out there”. Last night I saw a yellow house… Continue reading Color Squares

Best Drawing Books II

Best Drawing Books Part 2. “Human Anatomy and Figure Drawing,” by Jack N. Kramer is the best all-around digure drawing reference I own. It covers anatomy, perspective, and has great examples. It even has a sample syllabus for teaching an artistic anatomy course. My copy is falling apart, and unfortunately I think it’s out of… Continue reading Best Drawing Books II

Action Sketching

Here are a couple of 10-minute drawings from my morning sketching sessions, using an Alvin Ailey DVD, Lamy Safari ink pen, and 2 waterbrushes, one for gray and one for black. Although I like them, they’re pretty stiff and I need to find a way to get more action into them.

Friday Figure

A half-hour study painted yesterday at the P&C. I’ve got my drawings skills working again, so it’s on to improving the painting side. Yesterday I worked on putting more color into the shadows. I got reflected light under her breasts but missed it on her neck. I’m still not very confident with my palette; fumbling… Continue reading Friday Figure