Aesthetic Work

Sometimes time is compressed and one's ability to create is limited. So, what to do? I haven't been able to take any further life study classes and my friends and family seem unwilling to sit for me -- why ever not, I'm not sure. Could it be my continual scowling, my abrupt commands ("Now, tilt your head. No, not that way! This way... Stop fiddling!"...) and the fact that texting in the middle of a sitting just does not work, spoils the feel . . .

So I decided to digitally create my own models. Here's an example of one I hope to work on this weekend:

I found the above photo online when I searched Google images for tango dancers. I love the way the bodies melt into one another and the sensuous line.  Then I pulled the image into PhotoShop and began to alter it, erasing the male figure as I wanted to isolate the female form.  By using various effects, such as charcoal and pencil, I ended with this variation, which gives me a clear sense of line and of light & shadow. I'll probably enlarge this to page size (8 x 10) and work from there.

So when desperate for a model to sketch/paint from, why not give it a try?  There are other variations I'm trying also -- the effect of stone would be cool or manipulating the colors and adding layers of texture to reach a more "painterly" look.  And the beauty is -- these models do not talk back, do not fidget, text their friends or change the pose.  Think about it . . .

 "the imagination spins and weaves new patterns . . .  pure inventions, 

absurdities, and improvisations."

August Strindberg