Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Raku . . . not for sissies!
Saturday morning found me at the KC Clay Guild raku-firing pieces for the DIFFA Dining By Design table that the Guild is designing. There is still a lot of carbon to scrub off of these pieces, but I got enough off to show how great the crackle looks. Click on the image above to see the details.
I wound up with eight of the holey votive candle holders and nine torsos. I will do another firing next weekend when more pieces have been bisqued. I used stripped Romex to make the torso stand up. The photograph does not do that feature justice; it looks cooler "in person".
The poor man-in-the-moon did not crackle, but I love his expresion. I'm toying with the idea of taking a torch to him to coax the glaze along. Risky, but it has worked before. While waiting for the kiln to get up to temperature, I sketched a few passing dogs and did gestures of a fellow raking his lawn. Note the sooty thumb print in the lower left corner. Raku is a dirty business!
An observer noted, while watching the crew transfering glowing pieces from kiln to can, that the process certainly was not for sissies. I am taking his comment as a new slogan. We'll be sporting "Raku. . . not for sissies!" buttons on Raku night, May 9, 2009 at the KC Clay Guild.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Once again, I am most happy with the gesture drawings done with a big brush and the cool Chinese ink that is prepared by grinding with water on a piece of slate. 
This was the sketch that was most closely resembled the model's pose, although my drawing would suggest facial hair, of which the lovely young woman had none. I would like to do more work on this one.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Back to Dr. Sketchys, my favorite place to be on the first and third Sundays of the month. Tried a Chinese ink set for gesture drawings; i like the speed and looseness of the brush.
I took my camera and tried to photograph each pose. It was worth the effort as I can go back later and play with the drawings. The drawing posted here was not manipulated after the fact. Some other poses could use a bit of tweaking.Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Dr. Sketchy
I spent yesterday evening at Dr. Sketchy's anti-art school. It was my second visit and, despite leaving the place feeling as if I had smoked a half a pack of cigarettes, I'm hooked. I will definitely go back. I am new to life drawing and not very adept. The timed poses seem to elicit a feeling of panic. It seems I do not work well under pressure. As you can see, the quick sketches of people in the crowd while waiting for the model are more relaxed. But I'm sure I will improve with practice. Here is a link to the Kansas City Dr. Sketchy's myspace. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21841626524
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