Reclining Nude 19-09-21, Drawing, Pastels on Paper, 2021

Corné Akkers  

A New Session. This reclining nude is completed two days after the last model session I held at my studio. Being the first drawing I completed after July's session means last month's drawing has not been completed yet. This one was relatively easy though. It comprises a fairly simple composition with no technical or compositionary challenges. I could focus on soft skin textures and folds in the sheets. First I made a rough estimation of the composition in charcoal. I worked it out with Cont pastel pencils (black and white) later. Relax Baby! After the completion of my colored pencil drawing Leiden  Herengracht 14-09-21 I was in the mood for some simple stuff, nothing fancy. So I had her take a comfortable position, reading a book on paradoxes I bought a couple of weeks ago at the Groninger Museum. I like these talks with my model because it both makes us relax and somehow this relaxation speaks through the musculature in her back. I tried to capture that and I think I got away with it. Moreover, the bond between artist and model is important and when the right chemistry is there, magic can happen. Materials Completely coincidental the first thing I pulled out of the bag of drawing paper was a block of Strathmore Toned Gray. In my pencil and pastel case I found an old charcoal holder. Perfect for a session on the bed with me sketching on the bedside. When I come to think of it, the best model sessions are improvised, not fixated on too many poses. It can cramp both model and artist. The iPad Pro next to her stood there without particular reason. I always have some suggestions for poses ready but I did not need them now. Instead, soft soul was playing. One of those fine moments in life. Pastel drawing on Strathmore Toned Gray paper (27.9 x 35,6 x 0.1 cm)