Drawing of Mario - Florence, Italy

And another life drawing here. This time the model’s name is Mario. We seem to have an abundance of models here in Firenze. Lots of new faces and forms to draw. The figure is about 42 centimeters (just over 16 inches) tall. I drew in the light shapes only with a white pencil on a dark charcoal grey Canson paper. I have done some shape exercises to train the eye in which I only draw what is light, and not shadow. I had fun with it and when working with Mario, I decided to use a much darker paper so that the lights seem to emerge from darkness, adding perhaps some mystery.

The paper for framing purposes is around 47 x 30 cm, not counting what would be under the mat and frame. The drawing is signed and dated 7 November 2007. I did a few minor touch-ups after that, but that is the date that the model session was held and most of the work was done. I may get to use this sketch as an inspiration in my “Naked Gondolier” series of paintings.

“Mario” is available for private or public collexions, so please do not be shy about inquiring! Thank you for reading.

Sara - A Charcoal Drawing - Disegno

About mid-October I started my first drawing for a carboncino (charcoal) drawing on paper. Here in Florence, Italy, the favored papers are Umbria brand and Roma. Rigacci’s Art Store did not have the Umbria when I arrived to purchase my paper, so I am using the Roma. The Roma brand has a very obvious line-patterned tooth (a rough surface for holding the carboncino) that I will carefully need to work with to create a smooth tone where desired.

In this image, taken over the Halloween weekend, I am in the process of transferring my original drawing onto a piece of the fine Roma paper. I do the original cartoon drawing on regular drawing paper. I work out my proportions of the figure and create my disegni. (Those who have visited the newsletter section of my Web site may already know that in Italian, the word disegno means ‘drawing’ AND ‘design.’ They are one and the same.

I have drawn the outline of the figure with props, as well as the shadow shapes. While this is considered representational art, I am not copying Nature. I am using Nature as an inspiration to create a pattern of shapes and tones. Illusion is not reality. Illusion is not copying. I have an almost infinite amount of choices. That is why, even when working with the same model and having the same sort of goal in mind, each artist’s work will look different from anothers. Disegni, baby.

Arezzo Italy - New Friends

I hope to share more with you about the amazing experience that I had this weekend. Met some new friends and toured a lovely part of Tuscany in Italy. Our trip started in Arezzo, after my friends Skye and Hafiza and I took the train from Florence. Here you see an image I took on my timer of the kind couple from Denmark and California who met us and were amazing and generous hosts all weekend. From left to right: Hafiza, Jytte (pronounced U-ta), Kelly, Borge, and Skye. We are in a park in Arezzo that overlooks the valley in lots of rolling mountains in Tuscano. More later . . .

Ponte Vecchio at Night-Florence, Italy

Does familiarity breed fondness or are some places simply beautiful? I find myself photographing several places around Florence over and over. So many ways for something – or someone – to look different. So many variables. Above, you will see an image of the famous Ponte Vecchio – the only bridge along the Arno River in Florence, Italy, that was not bombed during World War II.

The 6th of November was different even from my walk by tonight because there was a large spotlight coming from the direxion of the Uffizi Galleria that is not visible tonight. The light really shows off the shapes and sculpture on the bridge. My friend Simone speculated that perhaps a film was being shot there that night. But we did not walk that way to check it out. I hope you enjoy this view of the Ponte Vecchio (old bridge, literally “bridge old”).

Moving Furniture - Florence, Italy

After living in two different spaces now and having seen lots of homes in Florence, Italy, I sometimes wonder how furniture is actually moved into these tiny spaces. Scala (stairs) are often steep and narrow, and bending at right angles. The small windows in my last flat opened into a small courtyard. How was a loveseat/sofabed lifted up and fit into my 1st piano (2nd floor) room?

While walking along Via San Niccolò last Wednesday, I discovered that it is not always easy or obvious to those involved. In the photo here that I took, you can see that the green door was removed. I presume these guys tried lifting this couch up the stairwell first. When that failed, there became a bit of community involvement to hoist the furniture up into the window. There was a bit of a leverage problem, as you can see. Alas, I was on my way to the lithography school before they closed and can only presume that this endeavor was successful. There was no sign of a struggle when I walked past again.

Picnic in Piazza Santa Croce - Florence, Italy

Today was one of those incredibly beautiful autumn days that feel a bit summery. At least while in the sun. Even though most buildings in Florence average only four or five stories tall, the streets are rather narrow, usually with one-way traffic only. Some places probably never see the sun. It can be difficult to photograph this city’s charms, and even more difficult to know how to dress if one plans to be out for more than two hours.

However, this afternoon was to be enjoyed and I invited my friend Lisa O’Neil over for a picnic. We packed a traditional Tuscan lunch and took downstairs with us a blanket, porcelain plates, real forks, food, and glasses of wine. And we spent the standard amount of time for Italians to relax and enjoy a meal – longer than most Americans would have. It was truly lovely. And the piazza (square) was full of life.

Shortly after we returned out picnic items to my home, we went out to the Coop – the most affordable grocery store around us. Lisa had not been before and I wanted to help her learn more about the city. The Coop is beyond the central historical center of Florence, just outside/east of the Porta Beccaria.

Pencil Drawing - Seated Female Model

On the 24th of October, I did a pencil drawing of a new model, Eugenia. I have been interested in doing drawings on dark paper with the light shapes being prominent. But I only had a grey paper with me. I began the 1.5-hour session by sketching the figure in with a pencil. But I ended up liking the drawing and only added a wee bit of white pencil to try to round out the form. I am pleased with this figure drawing, especially because of the relatively short duration of the pose.

While I am working to improve my seeing of shapes accurately and this means a study of classical proportion and realism, I am not sure how far I will take this. What I really enjoy about the process of drawing that I am learning now is that I can leave some elements of a work of art only implied, such as the chair and hands. There is enough of a chair drawn there so that a floating figure does not confuse the viewer’s brain and the gesture is visible without all of the details in this pencil drawing.

She is 23 centimeters tall – from foot to head. Signed and dated. If interested in this drawing, you may add her to your collection for only $50 (US) plus $15 shipping from Italy to anywhere in the world. Just send me an e-mail!