Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Enjoyed drawing the double models, but it was very challenging. Generally, short poses do not allow us to have enough time to study like for a single model. So two models are even harder, and you have to add in the relationship between two of them. I did as much as I could, one model's body is rounder than the other. After all was done, I wish we could draw double models more often.  (July 5 2022)

Not sure why I could not get myself motivated, the laziness was all over my mind and body. Some of my works are half way done, I keep reminding myself that I should fix or finish them... Day by day I sink into the sofa, barely move around, and found all kinds of excuses for myself to do nothing. Till I noticed that I had gained a couple pounds again. It makes a big difference for me - each time I gain weight, I loose motivation. After Memorial Day, I started doing exercise again, dragged myself to the art center studio and took the second long pose session of the same live model to finish this portraiture. And I continued on to the evening short pose session. Found my arm even hard to reach where I wanted to draw. Unbelievable that only few ponds could cause so much unwillingness all over me. But glad I did it! (May 31 2022)

I was away for eight nights in May, missed several portraiture practice sessions in the studio. We were quite lucky to have Leigh back for our afternoon long post and evening short pose model. She dressed up in an evening gown with matching jewelry for the long pose - turquoise, my favorite color. And her hair was "twisted" up. It was a crowded in the studio, I painted behind two other artists, there was only a small area I could peek through to see the model. I complained a couple of times, just because those two artists moved a little bit and blocked my view. After our afternoon session was done, I realized that the colors I used were too saturated. And several artists stayed for the evening session. We brought our dinner boxes for a simple meal. There was full house in the evening session too, her ballerina posses were lovely. And she looked tired. Enjoyed painting and drawing her.  (May 24 2022)

Seems that working in the studio and Plein Air outdoors are quite different in many ways. Went to Carmel Plein Air painting with my friends for four days, missed the last session for short-pose live model drawing. So I found that I had difficult time to draw. No matter two minutes, five minutes or ten minutes, I could not draw fast and correctly enough, didn't have time to draw a leg or arm. This model was good, he worked very hard, I saw his body shaking during the pose. Of course we all pay good tips to our models. (May 10 2022)

Always look forward to drawing nude models for their short poses. But I felt it was super challenging to draw this one. His body proportions were unique, long and slim. He posed in many twisty positions while standing, I only could try my best, many other artist said that they felt not easy to draw him too. Felt better by knowing I was not the only one that had a hard time. Hahaha... (April 26 2022)

We were all ready, but the model hadn't arrived yet.  So the organizer asked for two people there to be temporary models.  Our model was African American female tonight, she lives in Oakland, and must have been in bad traffic for arriving 30 minutes late. When she started her pose, wow, each one was so inspiring.  Just a great model for sketching. Elegant lines and her poses were so interesting and dynamic.  Wish could have her more often. (April 19 2022)

It was challenging to draw this new male model, not sure why. But the other artists said the same. I think that it is harder to draw the male than the female body. Lots of practice but somehow never feel enough though. (April 12 2022).

We all love this ballerina model, her pose was amazing!  She not only brought her tutu and point shoes for posing outfit, and brought us her inspiration.  I enjoyed drawing her, wish we could see her again soon. (March 29 2022)

We had one of our favorite model doing short pose to night, beautiful African American professional figure. Though I was tired, but was inspired by each of her pose  (March 22 2022)

There were two female live models that did a short-pose tonight. Of course it was more challenging to draw them together in minutes, and had to pay attention for the relationship between them. Felt quite tired, not sure if it because of the time changing.  (March 15 2022)

It was International Women's Day. We had a new male model from Santa Cruz tonight.  Some of the new models couldn't stay still, but it seemed that he was an experienced one.  He stayed posed, even his gestures retained the same position, those were very important for drawing in short period of time to us! (March 8 2022)

We had a new model from Santa Cruz tonight. I found that it was not easy to do the figure study, not sure if the lighting system wasn't professional enough, but her skin tone or body details were hard to capture. Checked out of other's work, they told me the same.  We all agreed that we must keep practicing to get a better brain, eyes and hands connection.  Because there isn't time for thinking during the short pose.(March 1 2022)

After a 3-hour session of portrait study, continued to attend another 3-hour session of figurative drawing. Felt starving and tired…(February 22 2022 )

When saw the model's name was a male on the list, I almost didn't want to go the class because I know that I can't draw male figure well. After a long hesitation, I finally decided to go.  I was late, but I was so glad I went.  What a professional model, not only he had built up his body well, also his poses were stable.  I enjoyed drawing the session well. (February 15 2022)

Tonight's drawing class was fully booked.  The model's pose was classical and stable, very professional. I am very sure that she wasn't only my favorite model, everyone likes her.  Changed to use the soft kind charcoals, but they break so easily.  I have to change my habits to draw, usually I draw with my energy, now I have to hold my energy to draw.  So much to learn and practice!  (February 8 2022)

Today is our Chinese New Year, I was hesitant as to whether I should go painting. In China, we celebrate our new year for 15 days, it is our culture... After a second thought I went to an afternoon portrait session and evening figure drawing session. Both were 3 hours, there was a one hour break in between. I felt a little tired already when the evening drawing session started. Usually I stand up paint and draw, but I chose to sit down and save my energy. Several other Chinese artists were there too. Truly we all work hard, even on our new year's day. I tried to use different charcoals to get a different result. (February 1 2022)

Challenging to draw a male aesthetic body, might be there are fewer male models. And he is African American, so not easy to control the darker tones in his short poses in several minutes. There were more people tonight, we all wore N95 or KN95 masks. Have been sketching live models for a while, but only can see my tiny improvement. (January 25 2022)

Tonight's 3-hour drawing session went fast. I drew as fast as I could, but still couldn't get this former ballerina model's movement the way I expected. Looked at my neighbor Eric, his beautiful lines and shapes on the paper full of rhythm, everyone could tell the strict training he had. Appreciate that I have met all these local Chinese artists, it helps me to learn and improve. I believe that it is easier to communicate in our mother language. (January 18 2022)

Monday I just had my vision surgery done, then I told myself that I must go to draw if I could drive.  Magically, I made it and enjoyed the drawing from the live model so much, just wish my eyes won't cause me any trouble for the rest of my life, pray for it!  (January 11 2022)

After a 3 hour portrait study session, we had to wait at the art center for one and half hours for the evening short pose session. Some other artists brought their own dinner, I only had a banana and some seaweed snack. Though I was tired, it was worth the wait to draw one of my favorite models, Emily. Her skin tone and classical poses remind me of Greek statues. She is very still and cares position of every finger.  It was very good session and also the last one of the year. During the break we had little celebration, I had cheese, figs and a glass of beer. Will miss this class during the break for sure. (December 14 2021)