In the deepness of winter...

I love this.  Make it full screen and turn up the sound.

whiteout by Jeff Sher

Happy New Year to all!

Final Paintings

Studies done in response to the year end Portrait Exchange at Different Strokes from Different Folks.

Initially, I found the photo I was sent to be difficult to grab on to.  The lighting is direct and washes out a lot of the facial features and the back ground suggests a leafy, park like setting but other elements appeared to have been clipped out in Photoshop.  I did a few sketches and then some manipulation of the photo in photoshop to help me find some more shadows and contrast.

My first painting:

A value study vignette using only  Gamblin Torrit Grey and Brilliant White on a neutral grey gessoed ground.

8x8 canvas panel

Next I took what I learned in the grey and white study and let my curiosity about the background take control.  Where was this gal?  At an outdoor festival or concert, her photo caught just as she spotted friends set up on a blanket with a picnic spread?  Maybe at a horse show watching one of her students in the ring?  Could have been anywhere, but the rich greens made me think tropical so, on a cold and snowy day, I decided she and I would relocate to the tropics, maybe Tahiti, for the next painting.  This was fun, using color to define the facial forms rather than just value.  The background is a pure fantasy built from a number of tropical jungle references and a nod to Rousseau and Gaugin.

gone to tahiti

the reference photo with variations

first oil sketch on paper...trying to find form with color. Maybe have to go to Tahiti


Sketch using only Torrit Grey and white.  Finding the subtleties of form and expression

A quick sketch remembered from a drive along the highway.

quick sketch painting-glass ball again, the shadow is really tough,  Maybe don't have the right colors...need prussian or thalo blue.

the set up...photos.

white on white pottery

everything is sliding

off to the lower left!!

 

trying some activity in the upper left to balance the composition.  i'm liking the idea of having an image or or other art in the background.

much better.

looking at pots

redwing 774 - graphite on bristol 11.12.09

the glass ball has to shape up....

Changing light conditions are a problem. I started this on a sunny morning when the ambient light in my studio produced a specific sort of lighting.  Then the weather changed to dark and gloomy and I worked well past sunset with artificial lighting.  Totally different shadows and quality of space.

The handles don't look like slugs anymore!
I think its done.

human geometry

 

response to Different Strokes by Different Folks painting challenge.

This is the first oil painting I've done in almost 30 years.  Actually, the second, the first one I tried with this image turned into a swimming mass of linseed oil and pigment.  Fairly pleased with result given the fact I have only a few tubes of paint and ancient brushes.

The reference photo:

roofscape

a watercolor response to the different strokes by different folks painting challenge.  it is very good to have a deadline for submitting work...gets it done. 

first watercolor....whew, lots of room for improvement. 

watching tv is mostly a waste of time.  trying to do sketches and practice while not really watching.