woman
ruiz_drawing
At 5Walls.. The under drawing (barely visible now) was removed after an hour of persisting with it. Resisting temptations to describe forms, more intent on evoking and suggesting it. Switching between willow and compressed charcoals works well for me now.
francesca study
Regarding Lifted 2010:
A friend and model Kathleen provided the core inspiration for this painting. Kat has a dance background which gives here a striking self-awareness; her sensitivity to space, movement and stillness all contributed to the atmosphere and tone of this work.
A few smaller studies were completed first (uncharacteristic of my working method) and then I just laid the paint on, with a few shifts throughout to register and respond to gestures I have come to know over time.
Lifted 2010 oil on linen ©paul w ruiz
Encuentros is showing until Saturday 04 December at Lindberg Galleries, Level 2/289 Flinders Lane Melbourne.
Seana has a quiet, apparently serious demeanour, but I suspect she secretly harbours many in-jokes. Unreliable as a model but great when she did turn up.
Study of Seana 2009/10