Shine a Light

This pastel drawing ‘Model Session – 26-03-24 – 1’ was the first I made during this month’s session. We were back at ‘De Blauwe Tram’ in Leidschendam, the perfect spot to have these sessions. It’s well equipped with lots of easles, privacy, no snoopers around and heating for the model. Last but not least, don’t underestimate lighting. You see, in such a gathering of multiple persons it’s almost impossible to set up lamps. They always blind somebody in a circle of artists around the model. That’s different from the freedom in a one-on-one session with a model back home but more expensive though. So we make do with what we got. There was enough light but not too much coming from the ceiling. It shined straight down, creating beautiful razor lights and shadows. Personally, I like those the best!

Blue on the Menu

Perhaps a bit of a disappointment but I ran out of Clairefontaine’s blue Ingres paper. In a previous art statement to January 23rd’s session I mentioned it. Back home I dived into my paper stash and I found two other suitable blue sheets. One Canson Mi-teintes and one velours. The first go is rendered on Canson using only Conté chalks (black and white). Reclined positions are often a challenge because of the complexity of diagonally placed limbs and torsos. In order to get the right page filling I decided to skip the lower left leg. Instead, I concentrated on model Mike’s torso and streched out hand. First, size him up, get proportions right and fill up the paper with white pastel. Some Derwent XL charcoal extra dark touches. Next, a bit of erasing to render subtle visible structures in the musculature. That’s it. Not bad for tonight’s first attempt.

Pastel drawing on Canson Mi-Teintes paper (50 x 65 x 0.1 cm)

Artist: Corné Akkers

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