A Reclining Pose

This pastel drawing ‘Model Session – 20-01-26 – 2’ is the second one of this month’s life drawing event. After the standing pose during the first hour we let the model recline. Models tell me they appreciate it when they can lie down during a second session. Striking a standing pose and keep it for an hour is already tiring enough. On the other hand, we artists stand straight behind our easles all the time. Anyway, a variety of poses always keeps me inspired.

A Soft Twist

This having said, it took me some time to find a perfect view on her. Surely I didn’t want to see too much foreshortened forms. These can appear when you take a position near the head or the feet. Hence a frontal position delivered me this result.. The cloth she was reclining on was shaped in a kind of a wave. Her upper body curved into a soft twist, countering the alignment of her legs. I simply love these kinds of positions. They are challenging because such a twist has to be rendered in a credible way. Luckily, the light guided me. Core shadows of the legs were more promiment whereas her upper body showed less. That was the twisty look I was searching for.

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After an hour of sketching, I arrived at a result that felt more or less satisfying. However, I felt the potential to do more. The cloth still wasn’t very elaborated and the tonal transitions in her body were rudimentary. Completely constrasting first session’s bold tonal moves, I must say. Not opposing subtleties though and thus the pastel became a realist piece or do you think it’s impressionism?

Pastel drawing on Fabriano Tiziano Blue paper (65 x 50 x 0.1 cm)

Artist: Corné Akkers

Sales info: info@corneakkers.com

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