Figure drawing sessions usually start with quick 1 minute poses, then 5 minute ones, then 15, and finally one long pose for the rest of the session, broken up into 20 minute segments.
Somedays, I just don’t have the patience to work on a long piece. On days like that, I use the 20 minute segments to do a bunch of different pieces. Here is one pose, done 4 ways. Some work, some don’t. But they’re all interesting to do.
Charcoal on newsprint
Charcoal on newsprint
Graphite Pencil and watercolor wash
Closeup, Graphite Pencil and watercolor wash
Watercolor and pastel on watercolor paper
Watersoluble pastel on charcoal paper (don’t ask me why!)
Do you have any interesting media you think I should play with? they need to be simple, portable and quick to work with. I’d love suggestions.
Sketch Away: Travels with my sketchbook 
Hi Suhita–I really enjoy looking at your well-observed and superbly crafted sketches and drawings. I, too, enjoy using various media. One of my favorites is watercolor (wc) crayon, either on white or tinted papers. Sometimes I lay down a watercolor wash and draw on top with dry media. Sometimes I apply a tinted gesso/acrylic wash on watercolor paper and work over that with WC crayon, or Inktense pencils, ink wash etc. Each combination engages my creative spirit and challenges me. FYI: I host a sketching Meet-up for the South Bay and have posted links to your blog. So you may have seen an uptick in viewers. You are welcome to join us.
http://www.meetup.com/South-Bay-Urban-Sketchers
LikeLike
Thanks Carmela, will have to try the watercolor crayon. I didn’t know there was a sketch group here in the South Bay: I occasionally meet with a couple of sketchers, I will try and make it to one of your meetings.
LikeLike
Your work is such an inspiration. I WILL get to the figure drawing class to day! And I’ll experiment with all the media you have used in your drawings.
LikeLike
Hi Suhita!
Just back from my Life Class.
Would like to hear your (or your readers’) thoughts on my attempts: http://wordslye.com
I enjoy your blog immensely and have mentioned it once or twice on my site.
Greetings from Germany,
Stuart
LikeLike
Thanks Stuart, I enjoyed your post- the sketches and the writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Suhita! Sorry for being so cheaky and inviting you “around to my place” 🙂 Looking forward to more of your magical watercolours!
LikeLike
These are so beautiful, Suhita! I usually break up longer poses into several sketches, too! How about waterbrushes filled with ink? I used to use them mainly for quick shading (grey ink), but now I also put bright colors in them too. I love using them at life drawing.
Tina
LikeLike
i should do that: I have trouble with waterbrushes in urban sketching, but I should try them like you do with bright colors
LikeLike
I used to love using charcoal and watercolor.
LikeLike
but not anymore?
LikeLike
No, I have become interested in other mediums.
LikeLike
Caran d’arches neocolor ii watercolor crayons. Water soluble. Make some
Gorgeous runny colors. I like to draw with them then spray with a fine misting spray bottle. Let the fun begin. Then I draw some more. Ps I use watercolor paper when I do this.
LikeLike
Sometimes for super portability I bring only 3 colors (either ink or wc pencil, plus waterbrush). The limited palette forces me to compose in a different way.
It would interest me to see what you would do with oil pastels and watercolor as a combo!
LikeLike
Elaine, I’m going to have to try working with just a triad: if nothing else it’ll give me a better grasp on color theory!
LikeLike