Cully
 

You guys have been bugging me to work from life, so I've gotten myself a model. This is Cully. He responded to a Craigslist ad of mine. He's a model, and also a protographer, and beginning artist. He owns a gallery in my area, and has offered to exhibit my work (wow! I got a lot more than I bargained for).

If all this wasn't enough, he has a pool of models, and is certain that some would be willing to pose for drawings/paintings for me. Our newfound association has resulted in a new figure drawing group. It was formed just last week, and we're having our FOURTH session tonight.

This drawing was done in two sessions. We tend to spend a lot of time visiting, so the drawing didn't get as much time as I planned, but it came out okay, just the same. Cully agreed to pose for two complete works, and will accept one of the drawings as payment for his modeling services. That puts pressure on me to make them both as good as possible, because he will get the pick of the litter.

Image note: The photo looks light from the shoulder down, but it's about the same degree of values as the head. Charcoal on gray Ingres paper.

As head irritator, I am glad I persisted.

What a beautiful and sensitive drawing.

That kind of quality is not easy to come by in only two sessions!

Brovo Jeff!

Wow, Jeff! This is very very good. Keep posting others as you go - good for you for getting a group going.

Jeff, I agree with Sharon, this is a beautiful drawing. I'm excited for you about all the good things coming from this! I look forward to seeing more.

Thanks for the comments. We've started a second one already. It's gotten off to a weak start, but at the very end of the session it started looking okay, so I have hope that it will finish well.

A solid piece
 

Jeff,
this is a strong drawing, very solid for, well constructed head. Very impressive for a life drawing session. I can't wait to see what you will be producing - no pressure now!!! I just believe in you
Patty

Jeff this is looking real good. Don't get discouraged if you have days that nothing works. We all have those. Remember to use comparative measurements and a good foundation makes for a solid drawing. I second believe in you.

All the best to you

Update
 

Last week I felt our session was unproductive, so rather than try to salvage a weak start, I began a new drawing yesterday. As you can see, I didn't get past the head, though I should have at least blocked in more of the body before developing this much.

The head is still unfinished. The hair is not accurately blocked in yet. So that will eat into the next session, leaving me less time for drawing the body.

He'll be coming every Monday if things continue to go well.

P.S. Long poses are quite a luxury. I have never had the opportunity to develop drawings at a leisurely pace with a live model. I always felt like I was racing the clock.

That's good practice, but you can't beat a long pose.

Jeff,

You have done such a fantastic job of suggesting so much without overworking the drawings. I wouldn't worry about going to far with the head in the second drawing without working on the rest. It looks like you've restrained yourself from going too far with any one area. If the drawing is accurate, it wil be easy to start moving down the neck into the shoulders and the rest of the body. Both are sensitive and alive.

One suggestion: near the end of your drawing, look around and see where you can put in a darker value or some harder edges--just a few, carefully placed and economically drawn--that will bring the rest into focus.