April's First Charcoal

March was not an inspiring month for me; I finished no paintings and my drawings turned on me.

When I tell people that I draw and paint the response is often, "Oh nice, that must be so relaxing."
To which I grimace and think to myself "bloody idiot!"

There is nothing relaxing about drawing or painting at the level that I attempt to, and there is no pleasure in it either, but there is enormous pleasure in having finished a piece, especially when it works.



April's started off much better than March - it felt good to have finished this drawing.

February's Charcoal

February's Nude
Charcoal

I'm really starting to love charcoal as a medium, but they're starting to stack up. I'm wondering if I should start selling them. Or maybe I should just give a few away...

Seated Nude - November 2010 - Charchoal on Paper

Seated Nude - November 2010 - Charcoal on Paper

It's been a while since I've posted a painting, recently it's been a lot of charcoal drawings and I am really enjoying it.


This photo was taken midway through the session (during a break). The finished drawing is still in the studio and I forgot to take a photo of it, but I like what it looks like halfway through, I'm almost sorry I spent more time on it.

Seated Nude - Charcoal on Paper

Seated Nude - Charcoal on Paper

We've had nowhere to draw for the last four weeks and last night we got together at one of the artist's house. Her upstairs area has not been used for a while so we moved in there with our lights easels and a model.

It took ages to set set up, but in the end it was a very successful evening.

Stephen Scott - Seated Nude - Charcoal on paper

Seated Nude
Charcoal on Paper

Our model was a beautiful blond girl. This was the first time she sat for any group and she sat fantastically. It was a absolute pleasure to work with her.

Stephen Scott - Seated Nude - Charcoal on paper

Seated Nude
Charcoal on paper

About a year ago I hated charcoal; it was an annoying medium - the charcoal refused to do anything I wanted it to... now I'm starting to understand.

The model was from Zimbabwe, but she's spent the majority of her life here in South Africa.

Seated nude for May 2010

Seated nude, May 2010
Painting in progress

A couple of week ago this young model posed for us for a once-off sitting - I did this charcoal sketch of her

We've asked her to com back for the last four weeks of the time we have in our current studio. I took the opportunity to start an oil painting - this is the result of the first session.

I took the whole session to draw and correct the drawing, my goal for the session was to have a drawing that is as accurate as I can make it. I am very happy with the result of this session.

Seated nude; charcoal on paper by Stephen Scott

Seated nude
charcoal on paper by Stephen Scott

Another week in the fantastic house with it's studio on the third floor!

It was the first week of winter for us - the studio was cold and impossible to heat up, our model huddled as close as possible to the heater during breaks, but during the pose she sat beautifully - the sign of a good model.

It's fascinating how the best models are also the smartest - our new girl has an honors degree in fine art and is currently working at the University of Cape Town.

Seated nude - charcoal on paper

Seated nude - Charcoal on paper

This is the first of three new models we're drawing this month. She did fantastically - this was the first time that she's ever posed and without a doubt we'll invite her back for more sessions in the future!

Last week we advertised for new models and got 30 odd responses, 3 of which we booked sessions with. Drawing is the natural choice for once off sessions and charcoal is becoming one of my favorite drawing mediums.

Next week is a new session and a new model.

Seated nude with a red cushion

Oil on Board 20cm x 25 cm

Our regular studio's undergoing renovations at the moment (we got three days notification!) so after a short sabbatical we're back to painting in a new venue.

We've been graciously offered, and accepted a studio on the third floor of a spectacular house.

This is the first painting from that venue.

This model has posed for us before, I described her in Reclining nude – Red hair and creamy skin as a lovely red haired girl with equally lovely white skin.

The new studio suits her - it's a lovely combination of the colour of her skin and hair and the wooden finish of the studio.

I'll be putting this work up for auction next week.