Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

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)

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).

Painted two session of the male live mode on a panel 16"x20", felt too small to work on. The second session spent most of time to correct the light and model position, because it couldn't be the same. This is another study of figure and duotone, I won't able to finish it.(March 10 & 17 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 )

Today's study was our favorite model Grace.  Not only had we prepared many costumes for her, one of the artists prepared many other things for her like a dress, hair bands, pillow, cloth for different backdrops or covers. I helped her to unload those, took many rounds back forth from car to the studio.  she helped Grace to dress up and styled her hair too.  A couple of master oil painters came from over one to three hours driving distance.  Very precious to paint with them, enjoyed watching what they paint from their perspective. One hour break for lunch, and we continued painting.  Many paintings came out fresh and very beautiful, not mine, I guess it is the process of learning... (February 16 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)

Because I am Chinese, thought it could be easier for me to draw an Asian female live model. The result was that I knew it was not as easy as I thought. Fewer minutes enjoyed drawing and struggling through for each pose, hahah... (December 7 2021)

Short Pose drawings last night. Different model had a different body language. Challenging to draw fast and express the differences. Always enjoy Tuesday evening live model drawings.  Felt like I want to catchup for decades' of practice, lol...

The model was late, so a female artist was managed to be a short pose model for a couple of minutes. Then a young and skinny guy came, he was the model tonight. He was long and slim. I found that it was quite challenging to draw him. But there were two young guy artists next to me drew in a confident and skillful way, quite mature for their age, they looked. They told us that they had been practicing drawing for ten years. I wondered why and realized it is the only way get better, keep practicing! (November 16 2021)

I was tired after driving and painting in Capitola last week, decided not going to Plein Air in the morning. Besides to clean up the house, only went to the 3 hour session short-pose live model drawing session in the evening. I liked this female model, her pose was very classical, wish I can paint her as a longer pose model. Her sweet dog was accompanying her while she was modeling licking her feet occasionally.  (November 9 2021)

Drawing can be fun or painful. My new drawing paper hadn't arrived yet so I had to stick with my small sketch book and found out it wasn't easy to draw on it using charcoals.  There was not enough room to express with that media. I struggled through another 3 hour session on Tuesday night. A male's body is more difficult than a female's. There are too many biological features, like bones and muscles, etc.  Just can't work on small paper for sure!  Can't wait for my new paper +!  (September 28 2021)