WIshing I Had That One Back

Often, when you create art, you look back at a piece and realize that you could have done something a lot different to it to make it better.  Regret is always a part of the game in artwork; you look at a drawing or painting later on, and think, I should have done this.

I first joined Model Mayhem back in 2006, and met some great models immediately  One of them was a curvaceous lady known on MM as Iday.  I was drawn to her portfolio, not only because of her near-nude images and great figure, but her exotic Middle Eastern looks as well.  We messaged back and forth about me using one of her images as a reference, finally deciding on the photo to the right.

My challenge in this drawing was the rope skirt.  I frankly didn't know how I was going to pull it off, so, after thinking it over for a few days, I decided that I was going to ditch it and draw her wearing something sexy (she didn't want to be depicted nude at all).  I decided to leave it until after I completed most of the top portion.

I printed up my reference and got to work, and have to say, I was really happy with the direction that this drawing was taking.  When you are a pinup artist, you don't want to screw up something that God created so beautifully, and Iday's gorgeous form was emerging from the background nicely (see WIP below).

As I got to her hips and legs, I discovered that my original plan just wasn't going to be as simple as I thought.  I had enough of a sense of Iday's hips and legs through the macrame skirt to draw them, but I just wasn't happy with something about it.   I wound up putting a little thong thing on her, but I was disappointed in myself.  I had the drawing professionally shot when I finished, and sent Iday a print as a thank you.


I've had several years to review what I did on this drawing, and I concluded that I should have left the rope skirt on Iday, as they accentuated her hips quite nicely.  I realize now they would not have proved to be as troublesome as I originally thought, and I could have used a design element to make them look kind of cool.  As I said, Iday has a gorgeous, curvy figure, and great camera presence.  I know I could do this over, and perhaps one day I will.  See the full size version at me Fine Art America website.

Work In Progress--Carlotta Champagne

While figure artists usually like to paint and draw many different models, they often find a particular one who inspires them to create, i.e.,  their 'muse.'  According to Wikipedia, the word 'muse' comes from  "the......nine goddesses in Greek mythology who control and symbolize nine types of art known to Ancient Greece, and are associated with artistic inspiration."  

Anyone familiar with my artwork will note that Playboy model Carlotta Champagne could qualify as my muse.  I first discovered her  on the industry site, OneModelPlace.com, in December 2005, and immediately noticed a classical grace and beauty in her not shared by many models.  She has an hourglass figure, a throwback to the Playmates of the 1950's and 60's, and a face that would inspire Renaissance artists.


Carlotta was very kind to allow me to use one of her images for my first drawing drawing of her, and she eventually agreed to a photo shoot in my rec room, photographed by my friend Rob Domaschuk.  The photo shoot has resulted in 2 completed drawings, plus the nearly finished one to the left.


I actually started this drawing at Glamourcon 2008.  While I am using the original photo as basic reference, I am taking some liberties with it to focus on Carlotta's face and breasts.  I am trying to create more contrast in this piece than I have done lately, and also attempting to stylize Carlotta's hair than normal.  What do you think?   Please drop a comment here or on my Facebook fan page

Latest Commissions

I recently completed two commissions for clients, my first in a while.  As much as I like to draw or paint professional models and celebrities,  I really enjoy doing this type of work for everyday folks.  It always seems to come from the heart when people entrust me to create art, especially risque in nature.

This drawing was actually a referral.  The lady who contacted me is friends with former clients of mine, who apparently spoke highly of my artwork of the wife.  She commissioned me to draw her husband's favorite photo from a boudoir shoot she had done for him.  Since it was a large size, I was able to add some detail in the shading, the hair.  I hadn't done this size for someone since last year, and I tend to work in more detail and shading on bigger drawings.







The other commission was a Valentine's Day gift from the client to his lady friend.  Simple pinup job, smaller size....he wanted something to frame and give her for Valentine's Day.  He said they both love it.

I have uploaded both of these pieces on my website, please feel free to take a look, and offer comments.  Thanks.