Author: virginiacmccoy

Irish Cutiepie

The reference photo for this was found on one of the free sites for reference photos. I was doing a search for redhead little girls and found this little Irish beauty. I did NOT do her justice, but I had to try. Maybe I will do her in color one of these days, because she has such lovely red cheeks, blue eyes, and red hair. And I just love her shy little smile. This is charcoal on 14×14.5 toned pastel paper.

When Irish eyes are smiling, watch your step. — Gerald Kersh

Another Favorite

This is another one of my favorite models. I must confess that my favorite is whoever I am working with at the moment. I have a lot of favorites. I guess my list of not-favorites is shorter. LOL! This is charcoal on 8×10 toned grey paper.

When I draw I don’t capture your likeness. I capture your soul. — Anthony T. Hincks

Enjoying Charcoal

I am beginning to enjoy the process of using charcoal, which is very different from graphite. If you have been following me for a while, you may have noticed that I automatically hate anything I cannot master immediately. Then, after my little hissy, sometimes I start grudgingly using it and surprise, surprise! I actually will start learning something and start enjoying it. LOL! It can be exhausting being me…

This is actually the same model as a few days ago. Poor guy. He has to deal with me learning charcoal on his face. LOL! He was here for a couple of hours and he was so willing to do anything I asked him. He put his hair back and took it down several times, put his jacket on and took it off over and over, changed positions repeatedly, etc. I also have a favorite female model who loves to pose, also. Now, if I could only take good photos, that would help a lot. Quite a few of the photos were taken by candlelight, thus the quote below. I remember saying, during the photo shoot, “It is amazing how much light a candle will give when that is all you have.” However, I knew the day would come when I would not have an appropriate photo…

Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness. — Anne Frank

A Raven

I thought this raven was very cute and looked like he was being playful. This is charcoal and white charcoal (which is really chalk) on grey toned pastel paper, smooth side, 12×16. I got my supply order in and I have lots of charcoal and some new paper. Fun, fun, fun!

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? — Luke 12:24

Daydreaming

This is charcoal on 9×12 white paper. I am using a relatively smooth drawing paper. I usually draw on highly textured pastel paper with some tone to it, but they say that variety is the spice of life. Yeah, I guess… This was from a photo I found on pixabay and she had been swimming and was covered with little drops of water. I didn’t think I would do the drops well, so I left them out. LOL!

The tongue may hide the truth, but the eyes — never! — Mikhail Bulgakov

More Charcoal

Charcoal, for me, is not easy at all. I am using up all the charcoal I have and I just ordered a very large order for more and now I am ready to give up. LOL! But, I will push through. If I can get the hang of it, I think I can make some beautiful drawings with it. Well, let’s hope so, anyway…

This is done on white paper, but I gave it an orange tint when I processed the photo. I kinda like it thataway.

The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possible can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something. — Kurt Vonnegut

Charcoal Drawing

Taking a break from painting, I thought I would get in some drawing practice. I have not picked up a pencil in a while. That’s bad. I need all the practice I can get of everything that I want to do. I decided to use charcoal, which I have not liked in the past. I am learning to use it, though, so it is getting easier. I used vine charcoal and charcoal pencils on white paper, 9×12. I would like to thank my model for allowing me to take many photos of him.

This is a pencil drawing by Van Gogh called “Worn Out”.

In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing. — Vincent Van Gogh

Northern Lights Study #2

Well, I tried to get more color. Do you think I succeeded? LOL! The Northern Lights are just a tiny little glimpse of God’s glory. And this particular picture has a tiny little glimpse of His promise of the raindbow. It is difficult getting a good photo of artwork. It never looks quite the same as it does in person. You can’t see all the nuances of the colors and lights. But, I think the photo turned out rather well. Now, we will see what comes next…

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day. – Vincent Van Gogh

Northern Lights Study #1

This is a small study for a larger painting which I have been hired to do. I need the practice. I have never painted the northern lights before. This is oil on 8×10 canvas. I put several colors in the lights, but they did not show up. Try, try, again…

If I could take a star out of the sky every time you made me smile, the whole night sky would be in my hands. — Unknown