Gulfsprite

I played with golden yellow, red and green tonight. I know it is getting closer to the holidays when I start to gravitate to this holiday palette.

I’ve been listening to interviews and video of Martin Glaser all evening. I fully embrace his beliefs about creativity and art. I too am a humanist and graphic designer (turned painter). I spend untold hours practicing drawing and learning to get it right so that I can feel free to do it wrong.

© 2009 Christy Sobolewski (Gulfsprite.com)

Today’s portrait is almost entirely oil pastels. A bit of acrylic wash for the under layer of shadows and the base wash for her hair. And her blouse is an acrylic wash. But all of the skin tones and facial elements are done with oil pastels. I am really enjoying this combination of pastels and acrylics.

The drawing was done in September. I tend to draw a ton of portraits all at once, then go back and use them later. She looks so serene in a close detail shot but as I pull the camera away you will see her expression becomes darker and almost angry.

© 2009 Christy Sobolewski (Gulfsprite.com)

This is a partial view. Still looks reasonably serene, maybe just a bit peeved.

© 2009 Christy Sobolewski (Gulfsprite.com)

But at this distance I think she looks like she is ready to kick some butt right now (and take names later).

I can not remember the moment I originally drew this. As is normal for me, I was probably on the couch watching either Survivor or a real estate program on HGTV. I’m not a big TV viewer, but when I really just want to relax I will turn on the TV and sit all cozy and draw. I would read and draw but I can’t do those two things at once. Although I have begun to consider audio books. Then I could fully engage in both activities at the same time. Which sounds pretty weird but really it is not.

I draw the best when I draw subconsciously. When the details are floating in the back of my mind. This way I do not over think them to the point of ruining the essence of what I am attempting to communicate.

I am a perfectionist and by that very nature tend to over achieve. That is good for web development but not so good for drawing and painting. I am not a take one brush stroke and then contemplate the next. I see painters who work that way and am fascinated by them.

I paint quickly and aim for a flow. Doing it any other way, what I create, looks contrived and dull in my eyes.

The rest of this page spread is heavily collaged. At least three different layers of book text and music sheets and tissue paper. I just adore the ostrich with the red eyes and red feathers.

He is now forever mine collaged down into my journal.