My last drawing at the workshop

18" x 24"
Charcoal pencil on newsprint paper

This is the last drawing I did at this workshop. Jessie is a wonderful model. There were two models who posed for us everyday for five days. Jessie is one of them. She has great facial structure and expression that I like. I like this drawing a lot. I consider its a good one!!! It took about three and half hours. 

Last day of teaching of Steven Assael

The following pictures are examples of demonstration of Steven's last day of workshop. He explained how important to understand the structure of the skull and he did this demonstration of portrait. He explained how it related to it. He doesn't work with photos either, he only works with life models. Again, at this last day of workshop, he He emphasized the different kinds of drawing papers, tools and pencils produce different effect. He explained how and why all the processes to a better understanding of a drawing. So much to learn!!!

Fourth day in Chicago

Sketch I did in front of Michigan Av. and Art Institute of Chicago. Yesterday, we finished workshop at 4:30pm. I took a taxi and went straight to see the portrait exhibition at the institute. After that I sit in front of institute and did these two sketches. There were lots of people on the street and the traffic were awful... too much cars too! I love Chicago cityscapes. Light penetrates between skyscrapers creates mystic mood for me. It's almost feel like an outdoor church. I definitely will come back to do some plein air.

8.9cm x 22.7cm
Stabilo pencil on sketch paper
One of the assignments we did with stabilo pencil that Steven gave us.

18" x 24"
Charcoal pen on newsprint paper
After visiting Art Institute in Chicago, I went back to studio and did this drawing until almost 10pm. The right hand is slightly too small.

27.9cm x 35.6cm
Graphy pencil and stabilo pencil
 on Bristol paper
It's not completed yet. We didn't have enough time but it certainly is a great practice!

18" x 24"
Charcoal pencil on newsprint paper
One of nude studies I did from the second day of workshop.

27.9cm x 35.6cm
Blue ball point pen on Bristol paper
One of our assignments. I'm supposed to put coats of mixed orange, white and light blue paints on it and adjusted the drawing again. I didn't have enough time to do it at the class. I'll finish it when I return home and find the time to do it. Its very interesting the approache that Steven uses. Oh! Instead of blue pen, I'm supposed to draw with black ball point own.

Assignments!

18" x 24"
Charcoal pencil on newsprint paper

One of nude sketches I did from the first day of workshop. It's about posture, mouvement and center line. Some of friends asked me if I learnt those approaches to draw from the recent workshops. The answer is no and yes. I have been drawing these nude studies since I was living in Europe almost 29 years ago. I developed my own style of drawing with these year's of practice and, with or without taking workshops, I keep improving my skill. It does require lots of self  practice! Yes, it does matter if you have a good instructor. That's one of the reasons why I choose workshop to work with lately. Another reason is that I need to feel that atmosphere once for a while.... I feel so isolated working alone in Belize. The environment in Belize is quite different. Most of people don't understand the value of nude drawing or paintings.

18" x 24"
Charcoal pencil on newsprint paper
One of the nude sketches I did .

Chicago workshop with artist Steven Assael

Here I am again! Great feeling to come back to the Academy of Fine Art Palette and Chisel in Chicago. I come here to take this 5 days drawing workshop with artist Steven Asael. I like the way how he teaches. He's a very open minded person. Today is the third day of workshop. We are supposed to bring a portrait or self portrait to the class as yesterdays assignment to work on some techniques he taught. As the first and the second day, we were focusing on life nude posture drawing, the very basic fundamental training. It wasn't bored at all, Steven made it quite interesting. There's always something special about every artist teacher. The following drawings are demonstrations of Steven. I'll post my work later.

The one who wears dark blue shirt, sit in the middle is Steven Assael.

He did several demonstrations.

This is one of Steven's portraits painted on copper. Beautiful colors!!!