Deconstruction in Progress

16 x 20 oil on hardbord

I am borrowing the title from Terry Miura's description of the way he handles some of his paintings.  I am trying to deconstruct this one so it doesn't look so stiff.  It is hard to go back into an old painting and  destroy it in an effort to "help" it.  I know I need to get over that trepidation and just go for it but I'm still having trouble going after his face and cigar which I know needs to be loosened up.   

Taking a Break

16 x 20 oil on gessobord

Another figurative sketch of a street vendor in New Orleans.  He was having a lull in business and took the opportunity to smoke a big, fat cigar!  These are the types of figurative studies I like to do, just quick color sketches of random people - I don't fuss too much with detail, background, etc., I just like the process of trial and error.  I learn something each time I do these.