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.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sabrina B. 

According to Wikipedia, Valentine's Day has been celebrated since 496 BC, but has been associated with love and romance since the High Middle Ages.   Nowadays, we shower our loved ones with flowers, candy, jewelry, cards and more....a "Hallmark Holiday" to be sure.

I just completed a commission for a client, as a Valentine's Day gift for his loved one.  I do like creating that type of art, as I get a lot of enjoyment from people giving my art as gifts.  It means a lot to most artists, if not all, that their work is enjoyed, no matter the subject matter.  Just because I specialize in 'naked wives' doesn't mean that it can't be appreciated as a Valentine's Day present--it just may not be appropriate for all viewers.  Not all of my Nude Wives were commissioned for this holiday, but the thought was always there.

I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Valentine's Day.....treat your loved one(s) well today.

From Photo to Art--Alicia Burley

One of my all time favorite Playboy style drawings is of Playboy Model Alicia Burley.  Alicia progressed from Cyber Girl of the Week to 2004 Cyber Girl of the Year.  She is a beautiful, curvy woman, who smoldered with such raw sex appeal in each of her photos, without even trying.  This is one of those models that I "had to draw!"

I chose a photo from Alicia's Cyber Girl of the Month photo set, which was an outstanding series of photos.  Alicia has a very curvy, almost voluptuous figure, and and exotic look that I thought would lend well to a portrait.

I chose a 20" x 30" heavy Crescent Illustration board, with a lot of 'tooth' (very grainy).  While this type of board works well on larger pieces, it can be tough to get the exacting detail I strive for in some areas.  On the other hand, it really helps me 'rub' in the shading that I like to do, particularly around a woman's curves.

One challenge was the full front lighting that was used on Alicia---while it was easy to distinguish her body from the background, it really made it difficult to distinguish her hair.  I had to go over the reference pics over and over to make sure I captured it properly, and I'm still not sure if I did.

However, I am very pleased with how her figure came out.  As I said, Alicia smolders with a very erotic pose and gaze, and I wanted that in the drawing.

As for the finished art, my wife liked it so much that she had it matted and framed and it hangs in our rec room.  While I have created other nude  Playboy style drawings, this is the only nude that she has hung.

You can see a larger version of Alicia at my Fine Art America site.  I'd love to hear your comments on this piece.

On Models, TFP's and an Artist's Worth

Usually, when models start out in the industry, they do not charge money.  Rather, they will exchange services with the photographer in an arrangement know as Time For Prints (aka TFP, or Time for CD).   This is a way for them to build up their portfolios, without having to pay the photographer.  Once the model's portfolio is established, she will start charging for her time, and quite often will no longer do TFP, once established as a professional.

I am currently listed on several modeling industry sites, and I occasionally get requests from models to draw them.  Typically, it's something like, oh, I love your work, and I'd love for you to do one of me.  When I ask them if this will be a commission, or what the financial arrangement might be, the reply is very often, oh I just want one, it will look great, etc.   I find it humorous that many models want me to draw a portrait of them for free, when on their modeling site profiles they have this symbol displayed prominently:

Even though I use photos as my reference, it still takes me time, as an artist, to create a piece.   As it takes time for photographers and models to create the fantastic images that they display in their portfolios.  I don't necessarily have an issue with doing TFP artwork, but only under circumstances that I dictate.  Sometimes I want to add a piece to my portfolio, or sometimes I come across a model or image I feel will benefit me.  That's my prerogative, as it is the prerogative of the model to accept or decline TFP.

I have skills, and sometimes I charge for that skill, same as a photographer, or a plumber, or electrician.  What do you think?  I'd love some feedback on this.

On the (Almost) Sudden Loss of .....Me!

"You're having a heart attack, we're calling the cardiac team down now!"

I heard those words two weeks ago today, as I write this blog.  Chilling news--I had gone to the ER that morning, thinking I was suffering from acute asthma or pneumonia.  I felt bad all weekend, and by the time Monday morning came around, I thought that my difficulty breathing was a recurrence of asthma or some lung infection, although I couldn't explain the pain in my right arm.

I had my heart attack while hooked up to the EKG in the ER.  This probably saved my life---my attending internist told me that night I was lucky to be at the hospital, that he's known patients who waited a day or two with my symptoms, and they died.  I had 90% blockage on my heart's lower right quadrant, and 80% on the left side.  I was in the cardio surgery room 10 minutes after my 'event,' where they put in the first stent (the second surgery was performed 2 days later).

I'm now back at work, and feeling VERY lucky to be alive.  What possessed me to go to the emergency room?  I am someone who puts off doctor visits constantly (I postponed 3 check-ups this summer).  I am lucky to be alive, especially considering what happened to my co-worker just a month earlier.

I have some lifestyle changes to make, one is to 'destress' my life.   That means, after a long absence, I need to get back to my drawing board, and just create.  Art can be a great high, and I already have  couple of lovely ladies that I wish to capture.