Drawing Angela on 3/2/2011

A new model at 'Extreme Poses' presented a new challenge which coincided with my desire to break from my recent indulgences in pencil technique from over the past two months or so. So, building upon my past experiences using charcoal, in which I had previously discovered an extensive potential for freedom of expression, I took up the 'willow stick' and set off (in anticipation) on a new turn in my life-drawing path.
Again, all the drawings today are on A1 cartridge paper.
This first drawing is a ten minute warm-up, and what surprised me was the way in which the charcoal stick skidded across the surface of the paper. I was using a new batch of cartridge paper which did not have the rough and grainy texture of my previous purchase, which I had been used to, but presented a very smooth surface. So I did skid across its surface, and here is the outcome of the 'quickie'. For the first 30 minute pose I sketched out the basic form of the pose and then vigorously pushed back into the paper the marks with a crumpled piece of kitchen roll. Then, with carefully considered single line sweeps I confirmed the principal components of the pose.

For the next pose I followed the same procedure as previously but again pushing back the second set of lines. Then with a 2B pencil I confirmed the pose.

I repeated this process with the next pose, and began to enjoy the juxtaposition (and contrast) that the fine pencil lines made with the softer 'ghost-like' image which had structured the drawing for me.

Then finally with the last pose of the morning, I had the feeling that I had touched upon a technique which I had been searching for and therefore one which I really want to explore further.