Studio Door Drawing & Tip of the Day !

Today's drawing depicts one of my favourite models who is very energetic - I'm not sure if this comes across in the drawing - thoughts on a postcard perhaps !

Todays tip is don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today ! The rationale behind this remark is that I've been putting off archiving my work for far too long.

The studio door gallery came about from a desire to unearth more of my drawings from the festering piles in various studios here there and everywhere and to archive, catalogue and share my work both on a local level, with my friends at Artspace Studios in Portsmouth and with my various followers in hyperspace !

“Denis the menace” Charcoal on cartridge

595 x 840 mm

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signed chris n wood

Studio Door Drawing & Tip of the Day !

On my studio door at today is this multi layered portait in pastels.

I took a rubber to the drawing today and cleaned up some unwanted marks and smudges.

My tip for the day is spray fixative on your drawings ASAP !

Don't do what I do - invariably I leave charcoal or pastel drawings without fixing them. I usually make at least 5 or 6 drawings each session then return home and empty my portfolio - leaving the drawings on an ever increasing pile in my studio at home, the consequence of which is that the wretched drawings imprint themselves onto the backs of each other ! Another stupid thing that I used do was drawing on both sides of the paper. If you do that & forget to fix them - its a recipe for disaster ! I used to be very precious about my labours but now I'll rattle off a drawing and the act of drawing is far more important to me than the result - at least that's my excuse for developing sloppy habits !

Belated News Years Resolution : Take better care of my doodles !

“Gerald in Orange & Blue” Pastel on cartridge

595 x 840 mm

archive 0024

signed chris n wood

Studio Door Drawing 0006

On my studio door at Artspace Portsmouth today is this multi layered portait in oil bars.

Drawing with oil bars can make a refreshing change - I like the way fact that, in common with oil paint, they take longer to dry than oil pastels and they blend and smudge together. This drawing was probably done about a couple of years ago (despite instructing my students to date drawings - I rarely do it myself) and the surface still feels damp - so caution has to be exercised when storing or transporting drawings done in oil bars !

“Gerald” Oil Bars on Cartridge

595 x 840 mm

archive 0006

Welcome to the latest posting of The Studio Door Gallery. This isn't exactly a new drawing - simply one kicking around from my last exhibition at gASP, the Artspace Gallery above my studio. The exhibition was a huge success and I was amazed how many lovely people turned out ! The show was a collaboration with friend and fellow Artspace member, Sue Freeborough. Sue showed some superb examples of figurative sculpture and life drawings - many of which were created at when she attended my Advanced Life Drawing Workshop at Portsmouth Grammar School. We had the last session on Tuesday and explored Deconstruction. The Tuesday evening sessions will continue in September - for further details contact natalie@artspace.co.uk or email me direct on chriswoodartist@aol.com

Happy scribbling !

Studio Door Drawing 0035

Welcome to the first of a new series of drawings that are being attached to my studio door at Artspace Portsmouth.

The idea of shoving a drawing on my door came about when I had my exhibition at the gASP gallery in April/May. I had a total of 36 drawings and three pieces of sculpture in the 2 man show and I thought I'd stick a few drawings on my studio door to advertise the exhibition upstairs in the gallery. I meant to go online before but it didn't happen - the best made plans of mice, artists and men !

I had every intention of changing the drawing (at least once a week) and posting the image to my Website, Facebook and Twitter pages - well I've done that - so it's here too.

Pastel 595 x 840 mm archive 0035

signed chris n wood

My first pub sign !

The Victory Pub, (the Hard, Portsmouth UK) gets itself a new pub sign and hopefully I'll get a few beers ! For a look at the original painting go to http://web.me.com/chriswoodartist

Bye for now - time for a beer !

Artspace Portsmouth Open Studios

Saturday was a great success with well over 100 visitors !

I look forward to today (23.5.10) the final day of our annual weekend of culture. Yesterday was warm & sunny with enthusiastic visitors flocking to enjoy tea and home made cakes in the Artspace garden. For budding gardeners, a further temptation was a vast array of bargain plants for sale. With temperatures soaring outside, those that wanted to escape the sun had the opportunity of either finding a shady corner of the wonderful gardens or going inside and exploring 29 artists studios in the former chapel in Brougham Road, Southsea. A big vote of thanks goes to Adrian Mundy and Jane Kilford of Artspace who have worked tirelessly over the last couple of years to create such a verdant haven of tranquility !

The Artists are celebrating their 30th year since the group was formed back in 1980. Artspace was one of the first artist run professional studio groups in the country and they are going from strength to strength.

In addition to providing studio space at an affordable rents, Artspace runs specialist adult education for those who are up for a creative challenge ! Amongst the courses currently on offer is my own Advanced Life Drawing Workshop which is held on a Tuesday evening 7-9pm at Portsmouth Grammar School in Old Portsmouth. We still have a limited number of places on this popular course - so if you're interested contact me sooner rather than later !

Returning to Open Studios, the artists will open their doors at 12.00-3.00pm - this will be followed by the very popular annual attraction, the Artspace Auction of artwork by the members. You can bid for real bargain artwork by both up and coming and more established members of the group. A percentage of the hammer price will go towards Artspace Portsmouth Ltd with the remainder going to the artists themselves. Its a very good cause so do come along !

I will be very happy to discuss my work and share a glass of something just to get you in the mood for putting your hand up at the auction !

Happy scribbling !