Collage

85cm x 60cm, Gouache, Paper, Fabrics

This gouache painting includes collage technique: pieces of news paper (toned with gouache), magazine pages (pictures on wall, wood texture on planks), cotton fabric and hemp rope (on top of clay jug).
The work was executed in my new drawing class in two sessions.

3x 30 Minutes Portraits.

 I am still in the middle of 6 weeks Drawing Course (Amazon link here).  Day 9 offers to draw portraits in pencil, ink and charcoal, each session no longer than 30 minutes.

You think I am narcissistic artist, drawing myself three times in a row? No, I am not - where else can one find more obedient and disciplined model for artful experiments, than in the mirror?
I like the one in the middle - big eyes, no wrinkles, nice hairdo. But my mom says, that the first one is the closest resembling of her dearest daughter.

Sketching People

Few sketches from the drawing class.

Put Small Object in the Pocket, Draw it By Feel.

That was fun! I had to  put a small object in my left pocket (or in a bag), put my left hand in the pocket. Draw it by feel.
The idea comes from Keri Smith's list of 100 ideas. When my head is dead calm in art ideas, I turn to my "magic well", pick a task and start work:

Brain was creaking during the task. These weak lines are not cow and elephant at all!

To show you the models I also sketched the objects by observing them, after I received the "outstanding" results of "draw by feel" experience.
The boy on the couch is quick sketch from TV screen, finished from memory.

Sunny Beach

Sometimes in the middle of January I try to fool winter by drawing summer sketches.

Pine Tree.

A year ago, on 18 January 2014, a close friend of mine died suddenly.  Yesterday I went to the old cemetery in 30 km from Moscow to give her flowers. The place was so peaceful, calm and empty, it inspired me to memorize the day in the sketchbook.

Tiger

Last summer I saw her in the zoo cage. She was white, rather old, indifferent to spectators, suffering from summer heat and walking nonstop across her small kingdom.
I had made some photos and found them yesterday in old "To sketch" folder.

C Рождеством!

Merry Christmas to my Orthodox readers!
Poems by Brodsky, here in English

Old Wardrobe

85x60cm, Gouache

Old wardrobe in art-studio where once a week I take painting class.

We are so different with my new teacher, she is like air and water, I am like fire and earth, if this comparison is suitable at all. Every time I struggle to start painting in the beginning of the lesson, every time I am happy and relaxed with the result in the end of it.
Some of her artwork here, Tamara Mamontova.

Sketching in the City

Yesterday I delivered one babushka (my mom) to another babushka (her sister-in-law). And I've got profit - chatting models for my sketches.
Also sketch in the cafe is added, I am so glad to get back to sketching outdoors.

Evening at Home

28x20, Ink and Watercolor

Interesting evening shadows inspired this quick sketch.

Snow Storm Impression

30x40cm, Pastel on Toned Paper

It felt so good, sitting at the window inside warm and comfy place, looking at snow dance outside and trying to catch the feeling of the snow.

Last Drawing of 2014.

Last drawing of 2014.
This bird reminds me the morning after New Year celebration night: full stomach, weak wings can not support the body, mind left head for belly.
Happy New Year!