Mrs. Mary Arthur, Eakins

Mrs. Mary Arthur, Eakins 1900, Ink on Paper, 7"x5"

Once again in public storage at the Met. Each drawing of the portraits are made for a duration of time of approximately 20-35 minutes. Just a bunch of sketches to keep my hands busy when I do not have the time to set up, paint then clean.

Gitana, Sargent 1876

Gitana, Sargent 1876, Ink on Paper, 7"x5"

Drawn from seeing the painting in public storage at the Met. I really love that section of the Met right now especially because the Museum is filled with tourists and the storage area is less crowded.

Gilbert Stuart Self Portrait

Gilbert Stuart Self Portrait 1778, Ink on Paper, 7"x5"

Another page copied from the big book. I am searching for shapes in color and tone and try to replicate the shapes without naming the features of the face. Shape next to shape as opposed to eye next to nose, squinting helps to see the shapes of paint.

Hopper Self Portrait

Hopper - Self Portrait, ink on paper, 7"x5"

I am very interested in portraits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art so I purchased the thick 500 Portraits book and draw from the book when I am not at the Met.

9:52 4 Train

9:52 4 Train, 6"x4", ink

I ride the NYC subway a lot like most New Yorkers. Sometimes on the train I draw and sometimes not, depending on the feeling. At times I feel bad for the person I am drawing, well I must, because if they wake up I will stop drawing them. That makes me feel like I should not be drawing them so other times I   draw a lot from the 500 portrait book, but it is a bit heavy to lug around with all my other junk.

Bethesda Fountain

Bethesda Fountain, 6"x4", Charcoal

I walk a lot through Central Park and sometimes I stop to draw. One of those days.

Blind Contour Head on Chair

Blind Contour Head on Chair, 6"x4", ink

Another blind contour of a woman resting her head on a chair. Those lines behind her head are rungs on a wooden chair. The space in the drawing is so important, more than half of the paper is empty, thus giving the drawing room to breathe.

Blind Contour

Blind Contour of Model, 6"x4", ink

Basically this drawing was made without ever looking down at my paper, sort of like the old school typing test when you couldn't look at the keys while typing. My favorite part of drawing like this is when I am in the process of making the actual drawing and in my minds eye the drawing is exactly like what I am seeing. Then I look down at my paper and am stunned and thrilled at the the facts. Just the facts ma'am. Ahh the discrepancy of reality and what is in my head.

Boy with Baseball George Luks

Boy with Baseball by George Luks, 6"x4", pen

Once again I found myself in public storage and was haunted by this painting. This boy is wearing a yellow sweater with beautiful shadows falling across the chest. The painting looks like the boy is a doll and a young girl. I also played baseball when I was a little older than the boy in the painting.

Edward Robinson by Sargent

Edward Robinson painted by Sargent

When I go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art I go to the public storage in the American wing and draw. The space is less crowded and the paintings are hung very close to the viewer. The only draw back is there is a lot of reflection from the plexi-glass.

I know when I make drawings of paintings I really investigate that painting. I see different shapes with a shape made by the change in color or tone.

I once lived in locations where paintings were not available to draw from the Masters, almost non-existent with the exception of books. I now appreciate living in New York City and being able to see paintings, for the most part, when ever I like.

Since October and thus far in November my life has been a bit hectic. I've learned from myself that when my life becomes busy and when I feel like I am running out of time, I draw more. It is less of a commitment than printing or painting. So needless to say I have been drawing and will probably continue to do so during the Holidays.