This was difficult to pull off, especially because of the one rolled-up sleeve. I think it turned out okay. 
As much as I love doing these drawings, I’m still a little worried that they don’t have that “value added”-a message beyond what the original photograph communicates. I think I need to be more active about seeking feedback. If you have any, please email me or leave a comment! info@maryhaas.com
Posted by: maryhaas | March 20, 2010
She’s planning something…
Posted in New Pieces
Posted by: maryhaas | March 5, 2010
New Work
This was my first attempt with the oil pastels. They are much easier to work with than I expected. It’s nice to know I didn’t forget everything I learned about color at SAIC. This work was done from a sketch which was done live, which seems to help a little with the dullness that can creep in when working with a photograph. Too bad Baby E won’t hold still this long when she’s awake.
Posted in New Pieces
Posted by: maryhaas | February 12, 2010
This will hopefully turn into something bigger
I’m working on a whole body piece from this picture in mixed media. But am pretty happy with this close up of the face. Probably won’t put the bigger piece up here for a while, since I’m hoping to get a chance to show it first. 
Posted in New Pieces
Posted by: maryhaas | February 9, 2010
New Work
I’ve been experimenting with a new medium since Christmas. Higher quality oil pastels using my old oil painting brushes and turpentine to blend. The first couple got kind of muddy, but it’s starting to get better especially since I started spending more time on the under drawing. Here is one of the first couple I’ve done, a picture of Baby E and Baby L playing together:
Posted in New Pieces
Posted by: maryhaas | January 26, 2010
Value added
There’s a question I keep turning around in my head. What value do my drawings bring to the viewer, beyond what can be provided by a photograph? Working from life, this never worried me-I was capturing a moment that hadn’t yet been captured. Now working from photographs, I’m struggling with how to add value to an image that has already been captured. The color pieces still have a long way to go-still too muddy and still too close to the original image.
With black and whites, (or chocolate and cream, or sienna and cream) however, I think I’m starting to find some success by focusing on the lighting. There is a spark to Baby E that is flattened by the camera flash. So here is my latest attempt.
Posted in New Pieces, Process
Posted by: maryhaas | January 23, 2010
In case you were fooled by all the pictures of Baby E sleeping…
A new drawing.
Posted in New Pieces
Posted by: maryhaas | January 23, 2010
An exciting discovery
Derwent drawing pencils blend with turpenoid! Which means my current two favorite media will combine in more ways than I ever thought possible.The vine charcoal was making a muddy mess, so I was using the Derwent drawing to just sketch out an oil pastel piece. When I went to blend the first layer of pastels, the drawing pencil marks bled right into the rest of the piece. Not sure where this is going to go, but I think it’s going to be fun.
Posted in Process
Posted by: maryhaas | January 4, 2010
We have thumbnails!
The drawing and painting parent pages are fixed up to include thumbnails of each drawing/painting. It’s such a nice feeling of accomplishment to figure things like this out.
Posted in Uncategorized
Posted by: maryhaas | January 3, 2010
Drawings updated again
It’s been a good month. My husband took Baby E for an entire day, and I was able to finish several pieces and get them posted to the site. It’s amazing how much I can accomplish when I know time is limited. The newer stuff is my cousin’s baby, and it is a relief to realize that I can draw someone different. Also added is a picture of my sister, Rachel. The eyes on that one are too big, which I think means I’ve spent too much time drawing babies.
Posted in New Pieces
Posted by: maryhaas | December 29, 2009
Drawings have been updated
The drawing pages have been updated with some of my latest work. Enjoy!
Posted in New Pieces
