Dancer Study

I shoot photos at my life drawing class to do this...a study beyond the 15 minute sketches we do from life. This study may lead to a more involved painting but I really like the feel this has. 20x24, though smaller than most of my figurative paintings, ended up being a great size. I also experimented with a different canvas, it's a smoother surface and worked really well for this. Robin V was the model.

Fashion 2

Another conte and pastel fashion sample. These are on 18x24 drawing paper and take up most of the page. Colors are blended with a stump or with my fingers. $250.

Fashion Roots

One of my first job offers after Ringling was as a fashion illustrator in Atlanta. I would have taken it but for an offer from Brown Dog Studios to do more of the type of illustration that I wanted to do. This is a recent sample piece for a company looking for some original paintings and drawings for a new space they're designing. They want a bit of a contemporary edge to the works. I'm trying to introduce the contemporary edge in the actual clothing since my work is fairly traditional. The drawing is influenced by a dress by a designer, Yohji Yamamoto. Very cool, simple, bold.

Small Crowd, Big Poses

Dancer Emily T is a terrific model. She takes nice poses that aren't always "safe"...even when they're 15 minutes. This is a pretty good example. Arms out from the body, leaning off balance, most of her weight on a small area, in this case, her knee. It usually makes for a fun, lively drawing. $185

Goin' Hollywood, Again...Maybe?

Recently sold this drawing to a set designer for the TV show "Parenthood". I signed a release so it could be shown on the set. We'll have to see if it makes the cut! Watch the new season and keep an eye out for it. Tuesday, Sept 13, NBC, 10pm, the new season of Parenthood is scheduled to start.
The drawing sold through my Etsy site where I have other original drawings for sale. Check them out at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/martinpate
The drawing was done in Atlanta at a life drawing class I used to go to but have not attended in a couple of years. 15 or 20 minutes, conte and pastel. Reminds me of "The Thinker".

Baby Bump

A first for the drawing class...the model was "with child", about 6 months or so I believe. Ashleigh V, excellent as always. Shown here in a side view, seated. 15 minutes, conte and pastel.

Location Studies

Been in the Myrtle Beach area for a couple of weeks...R&R and some plein air painting. We went up to Sunset Beach NC one day and I painted an 11x14 study of the marsh area. It was hot but our location was in the shade and a good breeze kept it comfortable. A fawn ran by at one point and checked my work out...didn't stay long enough for me to get a photo. The dunes were painted down the coast at Huntington Beach State Park. We set up on the beach and I turned around and painted this 11X14 study of the dunes.
$350 each.