Dena the Bodybuilder

Got a chance to sketch a bodybuilder recently. This made for an interesting break from our typical figure models.


She did not have augmented breasts, rather a rarity in the field of women's bodybuilding. She was also a Florida native and from my neck of the woods so it was fun to geek out about Tampa/ St. Pete culture that my St. Louis friends simply can not relate to.

I pretty much took a stab with all of the pens in my arsenal; switching up tips and pens for different effects.

Several members of the group are using the same Staedtler colored pens I am to different results. I may have to start thinking outside of my proverbial box. (Right, because I do SO well with change.)

Despite the horrendously out of proportion shoulder on this one, it is my favorite of the evening. Maybe just because it is blue.

Pic-a-nic Basket

Contrary to the lack of recent posts, I have been drawing a lot lately. My art group has been averaging 2-3 sessions per week which has kept me busy. Pity my poor dog.

I bought a set of Micron Sepia pens. This is marketing speak for "brown." The set consistes of 4 pens in sizes and tips I commonly use: .1, .5, Brush and 1. This first sepia was done entirely with the brush tip, something I normally do not do. I prefer the tight lines and control of the .1 for drawing, relying on everything else for shading and texture.

This one was done in my normal technique only brown instead of the usual black. I think the brown pens would work better on a darker paper. Perhaps I should look in to that.

Another recent purchase was a set of Staedtler colored pens. I have used staedtler pens before and I really liked them. My only complaint is that all the pens in the set are the same tip size and a bit larger than I prefer to draw with. (why should I try new things?)

After a few times with the colored pens, I find I prefer to draw with my normal black pens and use the colored pens to highlight and add texture. I know artists who draw with color, using complimentary colors to form lines and shading but I haven't quite got that down yet.

My apologies to this lovely model who was absolutely gorgeous but I spent too much time on experimenting to get anything truly worthwhile out of the session. (Okay, that second brown drawing is good. Maybe I should finish that.)

Do one thing but do it well.

Nothing terribly experimental or groundbreaking here. Just a pad and a couple pens.



I am really pleased with the play of light and shadow on the face in this one. Perhaps why I didn't finish much else.

Move along. Nothing more to see here.

Style versus Substance

Had an opportunity to draw the lovely Ami Amore, belly/fire/sword dancer extraordinaire.


This provided me with an excuse to try out a new technique I have been toying with. I have been wanting to add more color to my work lately but have been unhappy with my attempts at straight painting.

Basically, I put down a wash of watercolor and then draw over it. As the wash and the drawings are done separately, I have to consider the composition of the picture according to the background I have already made.

Though not nearly as controlled as I am normally accustomed to, the effort produced some surprising results. I am looking forward to experimenting with this process further.