Last Night's Drawings: Poinsettia and a Bargue Plate

One of my Christmas presents was a book "Drawing Course" by Charles Bargue (1826/7-1883) with the collaboration of Jean-Leon Gerome, a new printing sponsored by the Dahesh Museum of Art. The book consists of 197 lithographic plates that were copied or drawn on stone by Bargue. Robert Liberace, my teacher at the Art League, regularly recommended the book for drawing practice. When I took classes there, the book was out of print and incredibly expensive ... so it was exciting to have it available again... affordably.

Other presents for Christmas and my December birthday were also art-related. One was an easel -- to accommodate the portrait commission I'm working on. Another was a book by David Leffel "An Artist Teaches" which I'm currently reading and pondering. Even clothing gifts were geared to art -- so I look okay at art functions. It's a life obsessed.

My drawing of the hand is from Bargue's plate I, 16. I haven't done much reading yet ... but the plate made a ready model. Those are hard to come by around 11pm at night.

My second drawing was really my first for the evening. The white poinsettia was available to model at around 9:30pm. No complaints. Kept still.

Today I'm working on a portrait commission ... painting.

"Bargue's Plate I, 16, After Bargue", graphite and graphite wash, approximately 6"h x  4"w, Jill Banks 2009.

"White Poinsettia", sketch and wash graphite pencils with wash, approximtely 11"h x 8'w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

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