Sophie Ploeg

My workshops are filling up but if you are interested in joining me for a day of drawing portraits do have a look on my Workshop page on my website  where you can also sign up. On the 22 January I will dive into the nitty gritty of how to draw a face, which can be so difficult sometimes. We will explore a few techniques and just dive in with some basic drawing materials. We will try and think about proportion, shading, mark making, line and shapes, values and much more. Drawing portraits is the underlying basis for all portrait painting, whether you prefer oils, pastels or watercolour and so it will help in whichever medium you prefer to work. On 29 January we will attack colour! Pastels are a great medium if you like to work with colour as it is direct and instant. It will not change over time and you do not need to wait for it to dry. You can mix, blend, layer and scumble just like with any other paint medium. We will touch upon a few portrait drawing topics but go less deep ...

Two recent framed paintings in my studio. The drawing on the right is sold.

A drawing I recently did Charcoal on paper, 53x34cm reserved.

Is it ok to re-visit some drawings? Here is a series of drawings I did over the past year or so. Most are still available for sale, so let me know if any of them appeal. Prices vary between £100-£600. Most feature fabrics and drapery, of course, except the self portrait and the study of Rembrandt. All are graphite pencil on white paper. Hope you like them. :)    

I am happy to exhibit again at the Royal West of England Academy of Art (RWA)  for its 161st Autumn Exhibition. 24 November - 26 February RWA Queens Road Bristol www.rwa.org.uk http://www.rwa.org.uk/whats-on/events/2013/11/161-open-exhibition/ Petals & Lace, graphite, 38x28cm Some images of the show, with the room where my drawing hangs: Other posts on the RWA Open exhibitions: RWA 163d Open Exhibition 2015 R WA 162d Open Exhibition 2014 RWA 161st Open Exhibition 2013 RWA 160th Open Exhibition 2012 RWA 159th Open Exhibition 2011

I had these drawings framed in a nice grey hand painted frame.  Prices for these range from £375 to £650 Eurydice is sold

Lace Patterns Trying something new in between painting.... Greeting cards, individually hand drawn, each unique.  No printing involved!! £2.50 each, box of 4 for £10. Email me if you're interested, or click the 'buy now' button below for a box of 4 (UK only).  Email for postage cost outside UK. I hope you like them! or buy them in my newly opened Etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtnLace I'll be putting cards, drawings and lace for sale on there.

I've been exploring a new medium..charcoal pencils. The textures you can create with these are really endless. Still lots to learn but am getting the hang of it. I've called this one Eurydice, she has some tiny snakes in the lace pattern..... Eurydice, Charcoal & Pastel, 60x45cm

Tidying up my drawing, here's a detail. I am forever fiddling with my work until it is framed!

Graphite on paper, 30x40cm

A Study in graphite, 27x27cm

I treated myself to a drawing board, new pencils and paper. Big plans to do much more drawing this year!  I thought I'd christen my drawing board tonight. Feels great!

I found a box of old childhood drawings today. Very nostalgic indeed. Here's proof that I have always drawn people. Also a lot of fashion-styled stuff (I made my own clothes). I also think that my own son, who is only 7, is better already than I ever was as a kid!

For some reason I never tried drawing lace in graphite before. After a little bit of trying I decided I had to draw the 'negative space: the space around the white lace. So I 'drew the holes', thereby leaving the white lace. This is the result. I hope you like it. Petals & Lace, graphite, 38x28cm/15x11"

In between paintings I sketch a bit, nothing spectacular but good practice and trying to try out ideas for a self portrait.

I had a great day life drawing with a friend, at the RWA Bristol, organised by the Bristol Drawing School. Here are some pics, excuse the nudity...