First Layer

I choose a shape in the drawing where I want to begin. Then I begin by rubbing color from the oil pastels or the oil paint sticks onto my finger -- then rub this color from my finger into the paper.

I Begin a Drawing

by looking through my photos of natural forms: bones, flowers, shells... I take all of my own photographs. Some days you just cannot draw/paint for whatever reason (honor your rhythms), those are great days to wander the desert, gardens and photograph -- to renourish your spirit, your inspiratation. After choosing a few photos that inspire me that day, I use a viewfinders to create interesting compositions. I keep the viewfinders in proportion to my paper sizes. I could create various sized compositions and just cut my paper, but then I would need many sizes of mats and frames -- this year I am experimenting with limiting my paper and frame sizes to three sizes to save framing costs. When I have decided on a composition, I tape a small sheet of plastic over the photo and grid it to quarters.

My Drawing Supplies

My next posts will take you with me through a drawing.
I use Holbein Oil Pastels and Shiva Oil/Paint Sticks on a very smooth heavy weight Bristol paper. I experimented with many papers, but I prefer this very smooth surface because I can more easily blend colors that flow one into the other. The xacto knife is used to cut off the waxy film that drys on the Shiva sticks. The cloth is used to help rub the pastels and oil stick color into the paper and to blend layers of colors together.