Month: March 2014

  • Saturday’s life drawing

    Venue: Basis, Stockholm. 20140329

    Our model last Saturday was the old lady who underwent chemotherapy.
    Her red, sad eyes and hairless head, she was dignified and comfortable as she posed in front of our microscopic eyes. People are almost as tough as life itself, almost.

    Watercolour A4

    Quick pencil sketch

    15 minute pose

  • Pencil and paper

    Venue: Konstnärshuset, Stockholm, 20140325

    I brought the minimum to life drawing yesterday evening. A few pencils and a block of A4 paper.
    The model’s poses were quite contorted, very hard to draw, luckily she did a few classical poses too.

    Pencil nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute pencil nude

    Pencil nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute pencil nude

    Pencil nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute pencil nude

  • Nudes in progress…

    Here are some nudes I did at life drawing last Saturday.  I want to give them another wash or two to see what developes.

  • Useful watercolour portrait videos by Michael Holter.

    I stumbled over these videos while searching the internet. I was looking for inspirational figure painting and portraiture in watercolour. Michael Holter is very similar to Ted Nutall. I hope my style matures to be more free and loose. Saying that there is a lot to learn from Michael and Ted and their approach to portraiture in watercolour.

  • Wednesday’s life drawing

    Venue: Master Olafsgården, Old Town, Stockholm.

    I am enjoying playing around with watercolour, I learn a lot from these quick sketches.

    Female nude by David Meldrum
    Ten minute watercolour nude

    Female nude by David Meldrum
    Fifteen minute watercolour nude

    Female nude by David Meldrum
    Ten minute watercolour nude

    Female nude by David Meldrum
    Three minute sketch. Too much fixative, that’s why it’s so wrinkly.

  • Tuesday’s life drawing

    Venue: Konstnärshuset, Stockholm. 20140318

    The model is a dancer, he was very theatrical and amusing to draw.

    Male nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute watercolour nude

    Male nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute watercolour nude

    Male nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute watercolour nude

    Male nude by David Meldrum
    Two minute nude

  • Inspiration is important

    Venue: Basis, Stockholm. 20140315

    I’ve drawn this model too many times, I know all her poses, no surprises. I’m not blaming the model, I just wasn’t able to get it on. Saying that, I am actually happy with the first sketch. The other fifteen or so sketches from the session were well below standard.

    Later:. 20140317
    Man, I’m grumpy when I don’t feel so well. I gotta stop moaning, life is too short for negatives. I am looking forward to new, positive, life drawing opportunities this Tuesday evening. 🙂

    Nude by David Meldrum
    Ten minute watercolour nude

    Nude by David Meldrum
    Ten minute watercolour nude

  • Feeling good

    Venue: Mäster Olofsgården, 20140312

    It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep can do. Yesterday, I felt rested and it really shows in my work I think. There was a beautiful model to draw which of course helps. It was also the first time I did life drawing at Mäster Olofsgården in the old town of Stockholm. Nice place, crowded but friendly, I knew a lot of the life drawing junkies there and I am sure I will visit again. ( Please excuse the bad scan quality, I had no access to good light. )

    Watercolour nude by David Meldrum
    Ten minute watercolour nude, 24 x 32cm

    Watercolour nude by David Meldrum
    Fifteen minute watercolour nude, 32 x 24cm

    Watercolour nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute watercolour nude, 32 x 24cm

    Watercolour nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute nude
    Watercolour nude by David Meldrum
    Ten minute nude

    Watercolour nude by David Meldrum
    Five minute nude



  • Action Bear!

    Lars, who has the nick name, Action Bear posed last night at ABF. I don’t normally attend the life drawing there but my Tuesday figure drawing place of choice (Konstnärshuset) was cancelled due to illness.

    The lighting is extreme at ABF, rows and rows of fluorescent tube lighting in a large white room. Hard to see the human form in such harsh conditions. 
    Should I go to life drawing when I am tired? I was really exhausted, I don’t let it stop me but I wonder if I should give the drawing a rest sometimes. I found it hard to focus. Below are a few drawing from the evening. The last sketch is my homage to Francis Bacon, I just felt like playing around, I think I was frustrated by my lack of sleep.
    Nude by David Meldrum

    Nude by David Meldrum

    Nude by David Meldrum