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David Meldrum figure painting Nude Watercolour

Two steps forward…

…and one backwards. The last week has been a bit of a backward step for me. Seven days ago, I thought I had mastered it, watercolouring. I was silly of course to think this way. I was painfully reminded that I am in fact a student of art. My last four watercolours have been flops, very frustrating. This quick watercolour below, which I painted this evening may mean that I am starting to move in a forward direction again. What a relief if this is the case, but then again, I haven’t started my next watecolour yet, so we will see.

Moleskin watercolour notebook, 13 x 20.5 cm.

Categories
David Meldrum figure painting Nude Watercolour

Porn?

Firstly, I would just like to say that I am very happy with the execution of this painting. It was the first time I used 100% cotton paper (Arches Rough, 300gsm),  and wow, what a difference it makes. It is so much easier to paint on high quality paper.
The only problem I have with this painting is the subject matter. Why is it that a naked person who looks you in the eye, feel pornographic? Why do naked models who look away from you or have their eyes closed feel like classic art nudes? I have a problem with this, Lucian Freud did not but then again, he was not exactly glamorising his subjects either. The next nude I paint will have a cloth over her head, let’s see how that feels!
I paint, I learn and I paint some more…

Autumn, watercolour nude by David Meldrum
Autumn, 38 x 76cm / 15 x 22″

Categories
David Meldrum figure painting Lunch Sketch Nude Watercolouring

Introducing The Naked Hand

I try and do a sketch or a painting during my lunch break at work as often as possible. I really would like to practice my figure painting but having pictures of naked people on my computer screen is a bit of a sensitive issue to say the least. So, I have found the solution – hands! Yes, naked hands! Nude hands! It’s genius, I can practice my watercolour skin tones and hand drawing at the same time. Only I see the naked truth.

The Naked Hand watercolour by David Meldrum
The Naked Hand (24x32cm, Canson 200 g/m2)
Categories
David Meldrum figure drawing figure painting Nude watercolor

Moleskin …

I have a watercolour Moleskin (A5) where I practice my watercolour nudes. I’m trying to do at least one a day. It helps me ignore the real task; finishing the large watercolour that is such a challenge and sits there beside me waiting …

A5 watercolour figure painting by David Meldrum
A5 watercolour figure painting

Categories
David Meldrum figure drawing figure painting Sketch Watercolour

Taking a break …

Currently I’m working on a large watercolour, it’s a real challenge, I’ve never worked in so much detail before and I’m pushing my technical limits to the maximum. So, it was necessary to take a little break and paint this little watercolour nude. I like the freedom of the way the colour pigment illustrates the figure.

Nude by David Meldrum 20130719
Nude 20130719. Moleskin, A5, watercolour notebook. 

Categories
David Meldrum figure painting Nude Watercolour

Nude in Red Armchair

I am on holidays, which means I have the opportunity to paint at last. Time, such a hard treasure to find.

Nude In Red Armchair by David Meldrum
Nude In Red Armchair, 30 x 42 cm (A3), 11 3/4 x 16 1/2″