Model Session - 22-04-25 (Jelco) - 2

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Reclined Position

This pastel drawing ‘Model Session - 22-04-25 (Jelco) – 2’ is the second pose of this month’s live model session. A reclined position to top it off. The first session took some toll on our male nude model. Surely he did a fine job, standing straight for an hour holding a stick. That’s a tall order but worth the pose. A strong one, almost a bit agressive and that’s always nice for a change. Women I depict are a lot lovelier mostly. Drawing men doesn’t come natural to me, even though I like to delve into the musculature. Then again, an artist should study many things and persons, regardless what gender, species or form.

Troubles are Bound

Reclined positions can mean trouble. Well, for many participants during sessions. To meantion some troubles: foreshortenings! They can be bothersome if not mastered thoroughly. Often my students draw what they know rather than what they see and therefor proportions are off quickly. As a trained artist I’m off the hook. Another trouble can be taking position right in front of the model. If you’re unlucky the body looks too much horizontal, leading to compositionary boredom. Luckily I managed to manoevre into a position looking at Jelco in a slanted way. Difficult enough because many body parts looked very foreshortened anyway. Take his left arm (viewed from us) for example. It almost looks ‘offish’, especially compared to the extended impression of the leg running across the paper.

Corrections Big Time!

At the end of this successful live drawing event I was content. However, I did not finish my pastel. Somehow it looked satisfying yet very rudimentary. Doubts with regard to proportions too, I guess. Back home I compared the reference picture I took with the live result. A totally different look and fear really hit me instantly. I think I was off by a mile it seems. But I measured it all out just nice and dandy, I thought. I know I did but the picture looked better. Photographers know smartphones tend to pull forms out like rubber on the outer edges. Nevertheless, this look nicer than what I got as result. Sadder but wiser I decided to go for the photographic proportions, even though I couldn’t correct the arm. Otherwise it would have fallen off the paper.

All Sorts of Details

Last month’s session with Renee took me to throw in all sorts of details. Normally I don’t do that since these live drawing sessions are for practise really. Recently I noticed my tendency to turn to realism again. Especially textures of fabrics interest me such as silk. That’s why I also took care of the cushions and towel he was lying on. The background I initially did in three dark blocks with some space between them. Not working though, making the composition too complex. All textures and difficult body position were already very demanding. So I rendered it to a medium darkness. A skirting board and tiles also were included, enhancing the feeling of depth. Last but not least, an easle to the right. An homage to live model sessions but there was also another reason. Without it he look like lying on an operating table!

Pastel drawing on Hahnemühle Dürer Ingres-Bütten Night Blue paper (48 x 62,5 x 0.1 cm)
Artist: Corné Akkers