Gesture Drawings and Quick Figure Studies

Quick studies can be charming, with their simplified gesture, while still revealing proportions and form. When I'm working on these, I frequently think I haven't gotten much information down on the paper. Later as I look at them I realize there is a lot there. I hope you enjoy these. If you'd like any of them, or my other figurative pieces, you can easily purchase here at my DailyPainters Gallery.

(top, left) "Legs in the Air" 15"x12"
Original Charcoal and Chalk on Grey Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

(left)
"Studying the Ground"
12"x18"
Original Charcoal and Chalk
on Grey Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

My Figurative Studies at Tidewater Gallery

These new drawings and several others are going to Tidewater Gallery in Swansboro, North Carolina. You can contact owner Ray Voelpel if you'd like to have them.

(top, left) "Prone, with Knee Down" 12"x18"
Original Charcoal and Chalk on Blue Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

(left)
"Back View on Bar Stool"
18"x12"
Original Charcoal and Chalk
on Grey/Green 100% Cotton Charcoal Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Quick Pose Nude Figure Studies

My daily painting has taken a back seat the last couple of weeks while I finished a portrait commission, and varnished paintings to send to my new gallery in North Carolina. So perhaps you'd like to see more figure drawings. These are a couple of pleasing gesture studies of short poses by our petite model.

(top left)
"Sit Twist"
Original unframed charcoal study
on grey paper 18"x12"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

You can find more figurative works at my DailyPainters Gallery, including additional quick poses, as well as longer poses with a more finished look.

(left) "Stretch Pose" 18"x12"
Original unframed charcoal study on grey paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

"Woman Kneeling, with Head Down" Nude Study

Original unframed charcoal and chalk drawing, 12"x18"
on blue/grey 100% cotton charcoal paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

See more available figure studies at my DailyPainters Gallery.

Daily Painting Giveaway Winner Announcement

Thank you to all who entered the drawing for my free painting giveaway.

In case you're curious, Carolyn in Missouri is the winner whose name was drawn. She picked "Above the Trees". Congratulations, Carolyn!

If you missed out, keep watching my blog for more giveaways. I do these on a whim some months! It's always fun for me, seeing the entries come in from all sorts of places and lets me know who my fans are reading this blog.

At left is "Lake Reflections", an original 3.5"x5" oil painting of Fall trees reflected in water.

It is one of the lovely little 'uns offered at my Etsy Gallery for a lovely price.

Free Daily Painting Giveaway Today (October 22)

TODAY is the day to win one of these daily paintings! If you're interested in winning, simply e-mail me at this page in the next 24 hours (until 6:30 pm PST on 10/23/09). In your note, tell me which of these pieces you would like to have if your name is drawn. Please also include your name and mailing address.

I will print out all the e-mail entries tomorrow at this time and have my son draw a name for the lucky winner. It could be you! There are no strings attached; I'll even pay postage.

Here are the choices for the giveaway.

(left)
"Fiery Sky"
Original Oil 3"x3"
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

(right)
"Above the Trees"
Original Oil 3"x3"
©2007 Diana Moses Botkin


(below left)
"Colors at the Track"
Original Oil
3.5"x5"
©2007 Diana Moses Botkin

New Venue for my Work

"Before the Wedding"
Original Oil, Portrait Sample
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

It's been a busy Fall for me so far with portrait commissions and other projects. If you've been thinking of ordering a special painting, let's talk. You can tell me your ideas for the art you want and I'll do my best to make it happen.

I've been asked to show my work at the Tidewater Gallery in Swansboro, North Carolina in the historic James Bartley House. Soon I'll be packing up pieces for owner Ray Voelpel to exhibit there. I hope if you're visiting the Atlantic Coast in the area that you'll drop in to see the beautiful work of the talented artists Ray represents.

Back Study Daily Painting

"Deer Skinner's Back" Original Oil
8"x10" Nude Female Figurative Study
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Contact Tidewater Gallery to purchase.

Besides being an outstanding model, this petite muscular woman is a tanner and leatherworker. Ever resourceful, she processes hides that deer hunters don't want. The tanning takes time and strength, and she stays especially busy this time of year.

"Lying Down" Figure Study and a Giveaway Soon

Original unframed charcoal and chalk drawing on tan cotton paper
Figure study of reclining woman, 12"x18"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

You can see more of my life drawings at my DailyPainters Gallery page. Additional recent studies are on the way; I'm waiting for another sunny day to photograph them in good light.

A giveaway is on the way too, one day this month. On the day I make the announcement, you'll have 24 hours to contact me for a chance to win... no strings attached. I'll even pay postage. There is not much longer to wait!

Our October Challenge Group Paintings: "Water"

Here it is, the middle of October already and time to unveil our paintings for this month. Suzanne Berry, our newest member, chose "water" as the subject for our Challenge.

With so many possibilities, I debated with myself during the past few weeks trying to decide on a final plan.

As with most of these group challenges, the painting finally came together at the last minute. For some perverse reason I seem to work best under pressure.

So, here is my piece for our October Challenge, at left. As you can see, the Legos didn't want to be left out. They're funny that way.

(left)
"Fish Tale"
Original oil on hardboard
Unframed
8"x6"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

As you can see from the rest of the paintings, my Challenge Group members had some related ideas, although each was uniquely creative.

The subject of water conjured up all sorts of images for me; everything from Niagara Falls to a glass of water.

That's part of the fun with doing this as a group; even when we're all painting the same subject, it's a surprise to see exactly how we all interpret it.


(left)
"Sprinkler Park"
Oil on linen
16"x9"
©2009 Robin Cheers

(left) "Half Full"
Oil on board
8"x8"
©2009 Michael Naples

(right)
"Cool, Cool, Water"
Oil on panel,
8x8"
©2009 Vicki Ross



(left)

"Water Bottle"
Oil on canvas
16"x20"
©2009 Suzanne Berry

(below)

"Ocean Waves"
Oil on canvas
18"x24"
©2009 Marie Fox

Quick Face Study and October Challenge Tomorrow

"Lauren, Quick Face Study" 6"x9"
Charcoal and chalk on blue cotton charcoal paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

I am particularly fond of the drawing technique I used for this sketch using charcoal and chalk on a medium tone paper to quickly capture the illusion of a solid shape. If you've never tried it, take a look at my short video demo to get the idea.

To capture three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface is the chief challenge of drawing. And speaking of challenges, tomorrow is the day we reveal our paintings for the October Challenge. It's another fun one, so I hope you won't miss it!

Figure Study and our October Challenge Soon

"Back Light" (detail)
Original unframed charcoal and chalk drawing on grey paper
Quick figure study of head and partial back, 12"x18"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

This charcoal study is the pick of the litter from the last session. Our model is patient and helpful, and this pose was especially lovely with the draped light across her back. You can see more figure studies at my DailyPainters Gallery page.

Our Challenge unveiling day is only two days away! On the 15th, all of us in my Challenge group will show off our paintings we've been so busily creating for this month's unique Challenge.

Quick Figure Studies, our October Challenge Soon

"Back Twist" (detail)
Original unframed charcoal and chalk drawing on grey paper
Quick figure study of head and partial back, 18"x12"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

We have a model once again at our artists' salon. It's good to be back in practice with the figure. You can see more similar studies at my DailyPainters Gallery page.

The October Challenge is soon! On Thursday this week (the 15th) all of us in my group will reveal our special paintings. I hope you'll check back here to see them all.

"Hints of Winter" Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting

2.5x2.5"
in tiny ornate frame
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Snow on the mountains lets me know winter is on the way.

“Blue Green Sky" Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting, 2.25"x3"
Framed in tiny gold frame
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Glowing sunset colors over fresh snow on the mountains... what could be better for inspiration?

I hope you'll also keep an eye for our October Challenge coming soon. It's one week from today, in fact. All of us in my Challenge Group have been keeping our ideas for this month's surprise to ourselves, but you won't want to miss the fun next week when we reveal our paintings.

"Flaxen Flush" Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting, 2"x3"
Sunset over the lake with golden reflections
Unframed with free tiny display easel
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Keep watching here to see when I'll be giving away a painting!

"Brilliant Sky Hues" Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting 2"x3"
Unframed with free tiny display easel
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

I love this time of year and the surprises in the sky at the end of the day, all aglow with reminders of the Creator's magnificence.

"Twilight Finery" Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting 2"x3"
Unframed, with free tiny display easel
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

I'm so thankful to live in such a beautiful place and be able to see the sky. After a number of cold wet days letting me know that summer is over, I've enjoyed some sunny weather and fine evenings.

Last Chance for Free Shipping on LifeImages Repros

"Bonding" Portrait/Figurative
©1993 Diana Moses Botkin
Oil, 8"x10"

ORIGINAL SOLD

Mothers and babies are the most lovely subjects to paint. I am accepting a few commissions, so please contact me if you'd like me to paint something special for you.

You can also order this image as a giclee reproduction on canvas or paper at my online LifeImages Gallery. You'll get free shipping until midnight tomorrow, October 4, if you type promo code PopularArt09 in the promotion box at checkout.

"Georgia Rose" Toddler Portrait Daily Painting and Watch For a Painting Giveaway This Month!

Portrait commission, original oil
Head detail of larger painting 14"x11"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Keep reading to the end of this post.

About this painting: I usually prefer to take my own reference photos for portraits, but occasionally I accept a commission using an existing picture when it's too difficult to be where the sitter is. Or in the case of a person who is no longer around, or a child who has grown up, using an existing photo is the only way to make the painting happen, short of being clairvoyant.

So, even though the reference for this cute little girl is probably not the photo I would've shot, I accepted the portrait commission to paint this. It's always nice to get paid for working, even if it's a hard job.

Now for the lowdown on the Giveaway: I'm celebrating finishing up this commission by giving away a small painting this month. Check back here at my blog to see what day I proclaim the Giveaway. When I make the announcement, you'll have 24 hours to email me for a chance to win!

"Fall in the Air" Miniature Landscape Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting, 3"x2.25"
in tiny gold frame
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

It's been cold and wet here the past couple of days. The weather is definitely changing; it's time to get out the sweaters, drink hot drinks, or a glass of sherry in the evening by the fire. I've wrapped up my tomatoes and basil now... and myself. This time of year, I always miss being able to go barefoot and sleeveless.

I hope you are staying warm and cozy, or maybe it's still nice and warm where you are!