Exercises on Coloured Paper

Watching TV - Gesture Study
10 May 2013
Oil Colour on Paper
42cm x 29.5cm (16.5" x 11.5")

Section 25 of the Natural Way to Draw is called “An Approach to the Use of Color”. The central premise is that painting (the use of colour) and drawing are not separate disciplines.

Colour is introduced into the gesture and half-hour studies by drawing on paper that has been prepared with a layer of oil paint.

The instructions for the exercises are the same as for the Exercises in Black and White Oil Color except if you have time, you can use an additional colour.

Sitting for Thirty Minutes - Half-hour Study
9 May 2013
Oil Colour on Paper
42cm x 54.5cm (16.5" x 21.5")

I have developed a technique for preparing the paper that involves mixing a pile of paint with a palette knife and then smearing it over the paper with an old airline loyalty card. It is a satisfyingly gungy process.

Asleep - Gesture Study
27 April 2013
Oil Colour on Paper
42cm x 29.5cm (16.5" x 11.5")

Kimon Nicolaides suggests preparing a number of sheets in advance - I suspect he means well in advance, so they have time to dry.

I don’t have space to dry lots of paper covered in oil paint, so I prepare the paper a day in advance and apply the paint as thinly as possible, but it is still quite tacky when I use it for the exercises. The paint tends to tug at the brush as I am drawing and blends with the colours I am adding.

Thinking - Gesture Study
27 April 2013
Oil Colour on Paper
42cm x 29.5cm (16.5" x 11.5")

The end of the book is near and I am in a breaking up for the holidays frame of mind. Messing around with paint is just adding to this carefree attitude. For the next few weeks, I am going to use this as an opportunity to return to the simplicity of gesture drawing and to focus on what it feels like to be in the pose.