Blue Man

Charcoal and pastel on paper, 24x34'

2 figures II

Charcoal on Paper 24x34'

2 figures I

Charcoal on paper, 24x34'

RAIN

Rain (the name of the actress) was a fascinating fashion model! She had the best poses and strikes for her audience. She is black and she doesn't hide it, that's why I think she is terrific!

Study of a nude

Study of a woman's back, some sketches of woman sitting.
Black and red charcoal on paper 24x32'

Violinist

5 minute drawing, charcoal on paper 24x30'

Sitting Model

5 minutes pose, charcoal on recycled paper. 24x30

Aviva Stone

One of the most inspiring models we had was Aviva Stone, who inspired a lot of NYC artists. I currently learned that she passed away last year.

During 2003-2004 I was running figure sketch class at Parsons School of Design.
Every Friday from 3 to 9pm there would be 3-5 models posing in front of a packed class of 40 people. We would start up with 5 seconds drawings to warm up, and later on 2 minutes, 5 minutes and 15 minutes long poses. In one session I would create a pad full of drawings. It was a great exercise. At that time the Austrian chick that i wanted to hang out with, totally ignored me, so it was a great deal to draw nudes to get myself occupied and not thinking of her.

I wish I remember all the models names, they were mostly undiscovered actors or dancers, performers or artists. Most of them were very good at striking a pose and holding it for certain time. I would always have a book of other artists in front of me as I would study the human form as well as other artists. Later on I started to distort some of the features I saw on the human body, characterizing it's unique posture. After all distorting is fun!

Portrait of a girl

Black ink and water on paper 24x30
From Chris Young's drawing class in Parsons School of Design

Cicilia