Museum for Cold Weather

Back to sketching portraits from the wonderful Museum Sktchy App. I know many of you also use its source photos, posed mainly by portrait artists who know what makes a really fun and expressive pose to draw and paint! I’m snuggled into my studio most days to stay warm lately, and I can easily get absorbed in these portrait sketches. Here’s the latest.

Watercolor and white gouache in beige toned Nova sketchbook

These days I’m telling myself not to “play it safe” with drawing and painting; to sketch quickly, exaggerate, embrace my own squiggly line and visual distortions. This guy Dennis was a gift. Such an appealing, and I’m betting, forgiving face.

I was working with the gray violets in the shadows, and at the end, added the greens. You can do that with transparent watercolor in a glaze-over and it (almost) works. I took out my white pastel pencil and gel pen at the end. Those finishing whites are the other fun part.

Well you get the point. . .the sultry eyes and touseled mane. This toned paper isn’t the best for watercolor subtlety, but if you stand back and look, it holds together, haha!

pocket brush pen, watercolor in Field Watercolor Journal

This is what happens when you point a camera at my son, which I did while he was here at Thanksgiving. He becomes the goofy clown. So a rapid direct brush pen sketch seemed to fit. No subtlety at all here. It might be my favorite. I’m sure it’s his!

Margriet Aasman is a master portrait artist who knows how to pose as a result, a lovely lady and great teacher on Museum as well!

If you have a favorite, let me know! It may just be the nudge I need to keep going when the Critic makes a visit and wants to trash them all!

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