Bryan’s 100 Day Challenge: Figure Drawing in Oil Pastels

[Bryan Mccabe]

Thank you Deborah🙂I’m relatively happy with it. I see a bunch that could be improved, especially with the box she is sitting on, but I’d rather just start on a new painting. It’s been a very rough week for me, so I’m lacking a bit of concentration and creativity at the moment.

[Bryan Mccabe]

Day 55. Today was a day for experiments. I attempted to draw from life instead of a photograph using my wife as a model. I also mixed up my palette colors. It was difficult mixing and finding the right color combos. I went too dark in the shadows. Here is my work in progress. It’s not going too well so far, but I was completely thrown out of my comport zone. I have a new respect for painters that are able to paint from live models. Something for me to work on. 

[Debbie H]

Go easy on yourself – you’ve been so consistent with this challenge and produced so much work. That’s really important to acknowledge. Sorry it’s been rough. How lovely that you’re painting your wife! It’s challenging to paint from life for sure, but you’re doing well. Keep going 🙂!

[Bryan Mccabe]

Thank you Deborah🙂

[Bryan Mccabe]

Day 56. A few more hours of work trying to salvage this one and get it going in the right direction. Still doesn’t look much like my wife, but I still might be able to fix it tomorrow. 

[Lucas a.k.a “Roams”]

you’re doing well mate and putting in plenty of work. keep it up 😀

[Bryan Mccabe]

Thank you Lucas 🙂 I see you are working hard as well.

[Bryan Mccabe]

Day 57. Worked a few more hours and decided to scrap this one and start over tomorrow. It ended up being too many errors to fix. 

[Bryan Mccabe]

Day 58. I’m trying to paint from life again. I spent most of the day waiting for a layer of raw umber to dry so I could restart on this canvas. Trying to get a better/more accurate drawing this time and not lose sight of my lines. 

[Debbie H]

Your face structure looks good here. Perhaps consider placing the pit of her neck and collarbones – as Steve Huston says, it’s a keystone landmark and would help clarify the neck. Good work! What have you learnt so far about working from life?

[Bryan Mccabe]

Thank you Deborah. I’ll try to check out that video today before I start painting. I’ve learned its much harder because no one can stay completely still, and the light and shadows change by the minute🙂. I think it also makes for more interesting paintings though. I just have to adjust my methods a bit because I can’t expect my model to sit completely still for hours like how I would paint with a photo reference.

[Bryan Mccabe]

Day 59. I have a short window to paint right now because I have to wait till it is cool enough outside, and I am after the best natural lighting. Here is how far I got today. Still working on color mixing, but I feel like it’s getting a bit easier.

[Debbie H]

I admire you! The difficulty posed by the changing light, model position and time restriction are not small challenges. This one’s looking good. The planes and structure are clear. Your confidence is showing. Keep up the good work!

[Bryan Mccabe]

Thank you Deborah 🙂

[Bryan Mccabe]

Day 60. A couple more hours of work. Still doesn’t look much like my model/wife yet, but maybe when I work on the details tomorrow. 

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