Today I brought a miniature watercolor set to the Art Students League in New York. Short poses are always a challenge, but especially in watercolor! Here is a 15-minute aketch.
Geoff Watson, “Monica,” watercolor sketch on paper, about 5” x 7,” 2017.
And here are a couple 5-minute poses.
Geoff Watson, “Monica reclining,” watercolor sketch on paper, 5” x 7,” 2017.
Geoff Watson, “Monica sketch,” watercolor on paper, about 4” x 6,” 2017.
I had lots of fun with the watercolors during "watercolor week." I did a few interesting little paintings on the train to and from New York; I may post some of those later. I also did some 10-minute "gesture watercolors" in a tiny sketchbook. A "gesture sketch" is a quick drawing intended to capture the general energy and proportions of a pose, not fine detail. So I suppose a "gesture watercolor" is a similar sketch but done with watercolors.
I did these at a one-hour short-pose life-drawing session at the venerable Art Students League in New York, on West 57th Street. Every time I visit New York, I drop by the League for a drawing session or two. The League has a storied history, and it's good to see it's still busy training artists today. Check it out here: https://www.theartstudentsleague.org/
Anyway, I typically spent five or six minutes drawing and the final four or five minutes painting. The results may not be masterpieces, but they're interesting.
Nude on chair, watercolor on paper, 6" x 6", July 6, 2017, at the Art Students League. I tried to capture the rather defiant expression on the model's face.
Nude with globe, watercolor on paper, 6" x 6", July 6, 2017, at the Art Students League. That's supposed to be drapery on the floor, but I had a bit of a mishap with my blue paint. :)