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!

Here is the final installment from this last weekend’s session at the Orchard.  This final painting had a high level of appropriateness for this family as a hybrid illustration between contemplation and grieving.  Definitely a neat group– I enjoyed meeting everyone.

I’m working on some ’secret’ sketches for a large painting project, so I wont be posting  those special sketches on these pages.  More daily (public!) sketches to come soon! : )

Katrina Willis, Daydreamer from above, 2008.
Pastel on toned paper, 9 x 12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

I didn’t really get a photo of the second painting I completed at the Orchard, but here are photos of the progress mid-picture.

Katrina Willis, Contemplation 1, 2008.
Oil on Canvas, 24 x 36 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

This weekend I painted live at the building of the Orchard community in Aurora.  This was the first of three 24×36 figurative gesture paintings I completed in a little under one hour each.  The model, Essex, was such a trooper!  He sat the entire length without a single break - amazing.  I enjoyed the entire experience.  More pictures to come soon!

Katrina Willis, The Thinker (on the train), 2008.
Graphite pencil on toned paper, heightened with white, 9 x 12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

I’m working on a special drawing series this week on contemplation, so a lot of my sketches have been exploring multiple modes for what that might look like.  I’m also shamelessly stealing my title from Rodin today, too.

On a related note, we’ve opened up a Facebook fan page for Katrina Willis Studio!  We’d love to have your support, so if you’re on Facebook, go check it out!

Katrina Willis, Copper Earrings, 2008.
Pastel on toned paper, 9 x 12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Okay, I admit - I’m on a little pastel kick.  I’ve been considering the temperature of color with more and more sensitivity, and it’s fun to experiment with different media.  Pastels are especially challenging because, unlike painting, you’re stuck with the color value of the stick.  But I love challenges, so I would say this fits right in line with a solid challenge.  Check back tomorrow for a new picture.