I had this photograph taken of me posing for a future painting. As usual, when I’m in the mood to have a photo taken of a male model, I usually grab the first one that I find. So far, it’s always been me. As  a matter of fact, I wrote a blog some time back explaining that you, the artist, is really the best model, because you know how you want the model to pose.

In this instance, I wanted to see the shadows created by an elderly gentleman sitting and reading the newspaper. Notice I didn’t say an old man. My interest also was capturing how the light source worked on the figure.

I’m always talking about sketching and the importance sketches and studies are for a painting. A couple of years ago I visited south Florida, and among the many photographs taken during the visit was several photos of a street in Miami Beach. It was a busy sight filled with people. There were restaurants under awnings and a numerous amount of concession stands shaded by umbrellas and awnings. I not only took photographs of the sight, but I also did a quick sketch. When I say quick sketch, it took less than a minute. I kept talking about doing a watercolor painting of the scene, but as often happens, it’s been mostly talk. A couple of weeks ago, I dug up the sketch, and when I say “dug up”, you should see my files.

My desire is to paint the picture with watercolors because I want it to be active and free. I also want it to be loose and vibrant. These are my wishes, however coming from a person that tends toward a more tight and realistic painting I will have my work cut out for me.

It’s not that I haven’t painted loose and impressionistic, I have. But I’ve never painted much without planning, and in this case, I feel planning will make the painting.

So, now we are back to why I’m sitting on my back patio and having a photograph of me reading a newspaper. I wanted to get past a loose sketching stage to a more realistic drawing stage so I can be loose when I paint. When people are involved, I especially like to get the proper dimensions, foreshortening, and body language correct. It doesn’t mean you can’t paint loose and free, just be correct.

In the sketch, you may not be able to tell that there are tropical plants in the immediate background behind the man sitting with two of his (I imagine) grandchildren. The man was wearing an apron, so I imagined he was taking a break from one of the concession stands.

I’ve gone past the sketching stage into a more structured drawing stage as these two displays show.