Exercises for Painting Figures in the Sunlight

In preparation for my 

"Figures in the Sunlight"

class at NRAS this summer, 

I've been trying out some ideas for exercises. 

Figures wearing hats offer great opportunities for 

strong light and shadow patterns.

"Hat Girl"

I Pad painting 

Recently on a brisk, bright sunny late afternoon, 

I was outside my studio with some girlfriends,
and everyone needed a hat. 

I got out my "model" hats and 

was able to take some great "mud head" shots! 

I printed, then outlined them in magic marker to simplify the shapes,

then did some value sketches. 

To further play around with color and shapes,

I had fun doing I Pad paintings, using the Brushes app. 

The problem with I Pad paintings is,

you can't quite get the same graphic drama

 when translating them in to oils.  

It will be worth a try though. 

Stay tuned.