Draped model

draped model 16x16 acrylic collage

This young woman was one of the models at the Maragaret Dyer workshop I took last year (sigh). I loved her sad madonna face.

Dyer's process

Margaret first draws in her figure with compressed charcoal (I used conte crayon). Then she maps out her dark areas. She puts down a dark neutral color then goes back over it several times with layers of different color (all in the same dark value). She contends that as long as you stay in the same value, you will not get mud.

Once she has her darks to her liking, she proceeds to her light areas and finally the mid-tones.

It is always a pleasure to watch a skilled, experienced artist at work...it is like watching magic. And it is a result of years of practice! She has a DVD available of her technique. I was drawn to her workshop by her use of color but her lessons focus on values, which is even more important and leads to stronger paintings.

Margaret Dyer Workshop

I am very pleased with the instructor, Margaret Dyer. Check out her website--she does beautiful figures. We are working in pastels, not my usual medium and pretty challenging. This is definitely one field were you need really good materials, pastels and paper. I am a little lacking in both but still learning a lot. Sedona art center is great. We are staying at the Days inn Sedona, which I will also recommend.