Girls

After a long break I am back with these tempera girls to wish you happy holidays and all the best ahead.

Definition of Freedom

50x70cm, Tempera on wallpaper

This one started with the study of limited palette of white/black/y.ochre/cad.red and the idea to draw something based on folklore.
At the end the painting turned into a symbolic definition of freedom: dignity, wisdom, strength and free will.

Side Light

Bearded Man

The funny thing here is I was so happy with the result when finished this portrait. Few weeks later I realized this man is well, a little bit out of order with his nose, neck and some other parts. Now, later on, I desperately recognize the guy looks similar to our president. Ho-ho-ho, do not read too many news, Irina!

The Dance

Experiment in tempera and hands drawing.

M.D.N.A

The smart name for this post I stole from Madonna's (singer) page I like on Facebook. I am sure she does not care.
The girl is inspired by David Hockney's collage. I used news paper, magazines' pages, Brullov's and Rerikh's reproductions (that explain the richness of her coat, such coat I would like for myself too).
The eyes on the left are the alternative eyes I wanted for my girl. Unfortunately, they were refused and left on the windowsill.

Dreaming Desperately

It was a shot I unexpectedly caught on TV when scrolling the channels. Russian movie about a lonely woman dreaming to meet the right man was actually a complete disaster, but this scene was great with dark background, red necklace, roses on the table. I memorized it and painted later in tempera.

Babushkas

I suppose the ladies are discussing the grandchildren, warm autumn and stranger, who's taking a photo of them.

Lilac and Yellow Girl

That was fun task from my "ideas basket": I had to use two, light and dark, pastel sticks, 10 various papers and to draw human figure (from reference), composing into the paper.
Experience of losing control and going with the flow is priceless.

The Chaos of One's Life?

55cm x 75cm, Mixed media

The idea of this painting showed up in my head from nowhere. Without any second thoughts I replicated the image and this is what we've got.
Detail:

Impressed by Tim Walker's Photos

After browsing into the depth of photos by Tim Walker fashion photographer, this brilliant post-impression was created.

Tim Walker's photocollection, please enjoy!

Inked

New deep black ink, new Brause nibs, new experiments in B&W.
as

Bearded Man

No preliminary study of features and proportions; no measurements and pencil marks; fast gouache sketching. That can drive one into the direction of the unknown style (Picasso style!!).

Curly Hair

After all my "Out the window" series experiments with gouache, suddenly the media became my friend and shows that it is ready to serve.

Wrinkles

Yet again I am retrieving light from the dark graphite background. This time I add details with pencil above the finished piece. I need to be accurate with wrinkles next time.

Girl in Graphite

I keep experimenting with different media and different faces from random photos.

Faces

June was busy and distracting, I hope July will be different.

The Man in the Glasses

The unbeatable color harmony - burnt sienna and cobalt blue.

Girl with Dark Eyes

And now I have found enough courage and audacity to come to the foot of the highest mountain in my art study landscape: portraits. Human faces, face expression, men's and women's faces, aging faces, emotions, the list is endless, the mounting is Everest high.
Fast sketch in my sketchbook (I feel best when do work in one session, without interruption in mood and paint flow).
Feels strange to see that somebody unknown starts looking at you from the sketchbook page..

In Haze

18x25cm, Eraser on toned paper

That was interesting! My first experience with drawing with kneaded eraser (soft and obedient kind of graphite eraser) on the paper toned with pencil graphite dust. I had to pull light from the dark background.