Katrina Willis, From the side, 2008.
Pastel on toned paper, 9×12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Katrina Willis, Wireless, 2008.
Pencil on toned paper, heightened with white, 9×12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Last night I was visiting with some students from North Park University, and the discussion turned to making observations about United States citizens and their tendency toward independence and self sufficiency.  So I thought I’d make a visual observation to add to the mix.  This quick sketch is “Wireless.”

Katrina Willis, Sleeping Man, 2008.
Pencil on toned paper, heightened with white, 9×12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Katrina Willis, Erin, 2008.
Oil on canvas, 20×24 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

I finally finished this little head and shoulders of Erin.  I was really tempted to overwork this and get really picky…  Thanks to Mark, though.  He’s great about telling me when a good time stop arrives.  Sometimes I choose to get a little too close to a painting, and I think he was right… He’ll love to hear those words! : )

Katrina Willis, O Nine O Nine O Eight (detail), 2008.
Pencil on paper, 11×14 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Katrina Willis, Study of Erin, 2008.
Oil on canvas, 9×12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Erin is a great model for this study.  She may very well be one of my favorite models to date.  Hopefully I’ll have a finished painting soon to post with it.  This study took about three hours to finish, the likeness is evident, the values are approximate, and I can safely say that it is one of my most ‘finished’ studies in such a relatively short amount of time!

It’s also worth mentioning that today is one of those days where I felt my work stepping above and beyond the norm. It’s partly because of the modeling expert and partly because I sense a new level dexterity and skill developing in myself.  This is such a gratifying experience!

Katrina Willis, Community (with the artist), 2008.
Charcoal on paper, heightened with white, 36×60 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Here’s a picture of my dirty hands after drawing the Community picture at the Orchard Community this weekend.

Katrina Willis, Community, 2008.
Charcoal on paper, heightened with white, 36×60 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Here is a better look at the final product.  I drew this in three stages - from left to right - and the product has a different feel than my studies.  I’m fine with that, considering the number of figures involved, the circumstance of live drawing and the time constraints.  Not to mention, the sea of figures looks a lot like a landscape to me.

I adore drawing on brown paper with charcoal.  It reminds me of one my teachers from my undergraduate art classes, Jack Maxwell.  He was always drawing on this.  Overall, I really enjoy doing this sort of drawing.  For a chunk of the time, I draw to live music– what a treat.  Sometimes my drawing changes because I can’t stop dancing to the music.  :) This is a good problem to have.

Katrina Willis, Study for Community #2, 2008.
Pencil on paper, 8×13 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

I sketched this on brown paper with charcoal and white conte crayon / pencils.  In the first study, I established the compositon.  In this study, I’m exploring form and more detailed expression.

Katrina Willis, Study for Community #1, 2008.
Pencil on paper, 9 x 12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

In this study, I’m working out the composition and rhythm for a larger drawing with the same name.  My focus is on the placement of lights and darks, the scale of the figures, and the study of how the eye moves over the entire surface.

Katrina Willis, Faith and Madison, 2008.
Pastel and pencil on paper, 11 x 14 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

This is a little sketch I did of Faith and Madison, two twins from Indianapolis.  I love this pose, too!