Better late than never! I have been meaning to share a quick blog update on the sight-size charcoal studies I completed ahead of the LARA portrait workshop that I attended last year.
Below you can see a selection of three different studies that I completed all from life in the studio. Each of these studies could be used as a transfer drawing in preparation for a full colour oil painting.
After an initial unsuccessful attempt at drawing Carl I managed to create this one which was a much closer likeness.

Carl – Charcoal on paper, 18” x 14”
Drawing from Life
I went on to complete the two studies shown below, again in charcoal on paper.
All three studies were completed from life in single 2-3 hour sittings in the studio. As briefly explained in my last blog post…
Sight-size is a method of painting (or drawing) whereby the artist makes most observations of the sitter from a distance, allowing both the model and painting to be observed side-by-side.
I’ll share some examples of oil colour studies soon that help show my progression with the sight-size technique.

Joyce – Charcoal on paper, 18” x 14”

Mick – Charcoal on paper, 18” x 14”