A first sketch of many sketches to follow. First impressions of this beautiful body and how I can represent it as a piece of art. Looking at it now I'm looking for the strengths of the picture, asking myself do I stay drawing within the genre of figurative realism or do I freak out and create a bold abstraction of her curvaceous physique. What do you think I should do?

     Click the pictures below to view the whole image. The pictures show how this "first colour sketch" developed. I only use 3 soft pastel colours plus a bit of white to highlight and charcoal to create shadow. The initial charcoal sketch was done in 2minutes. The first colour image was completed with the first 5minutes. After this I slow down a bit to check proportions and positioning. Although the hand "looks" wrong, the position and size is correct. My error in this first sketch is more in the shape and angle of the forearm. The position is slightly "off" and looks as if the hand is behind Krissi's bum. Entirely my error and the reason I do so many short/quick drawings, colour and plain charcoal, before even starting the main client artwork.
     When a lady has commissioned me and is live sitting for my art, then she is paying for my time and my experience of how best to achieve our mutually agreed goal. You're not sitting for a street artist, sketching fast before you get bored or change your mind. You're paying for experience and time and so that's exactly what you get....plus great pieces of unique and personal artwork to take home with you.