Work in Progress

The human figure is one of the most enduring themes in the visual arts. The human body offers every challenge one could require - line and tone, perspective and composition. Throughout the history of Western Art, drawing the human figure from living models was considered the most useful tool in developing the skill of draftsmanship. "Draftsmanship," now there is a word that best describes Edgar Degas, who emphasized draftsmanship throughout his work. If one wants to learn to draw, draftsmanship is essential in capturing the elements of composition. Here is draped nude I am working on. Instead of drawing the outline of the figure by contour drawing, I am shaping it with local colors by using side stroke techniques of the pastel---mass drawing. This is the same technique used for "Kristopher." In this piece, draftsmanship is not used through "line" or "edges" that distinguishes one feature from another, but used through masses of color and shapes. Placement and measurements are also things to be considered.