Baby Alastair

Baby Alastair
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I really like painting these portraits using only black and white!  I set my timer for 40 minutes before I start, and when the time is up - I stop!  I mix as I go, and use no water at all until I am done with the painting - and then only to wash out my brush.  No medium is used with the heavy body acrylics, which allows the colors to be quite strong.  I am using short, impressionist strokes throughout - even for small areas like the pupils and iris of the eyes.  This really adds life and energy in a way straight, hard lines do not.  I am trying to do one black and white and one color portrait each day of this month - determined to master this technique quickly.  I am using filbert brushes - which I have never used (unless you count all of the brights and flats that I have worn down to filberts through the years!).  They make soft, rounded edges to the strokes, that flats simply wouldn't do.  Painting number 1043 in 1043 days.

Alastair - value study

Alastair - value study
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

This is my second value study on this month's atelier on portraiture. I am working from a photo that I took with indoor lighting and a flash - which does not produce wonderful lights and shadows for painting.  But, I love the expression, and am going to find a way to make it work....push the values a little.  Originally, the background was light, but I found it competing with the subject, so I painted it dark.  The focus is now on Alastair.  I have used some really loose brushwork here, but I like the effect!  As with all of these studies, they must be completed in 40 minutes, all in black and white - from which I mix the grays I need. My sta-wet palette is indeed keeping my acrylics wet, and I have not added water since the very beginning.  I am still waiting for my special brushes to come in, but I am making do with what I have on hand.  This painting makes 1038 in 1038 days.

Wide Eyes

Wide Eyes
Oil on panel, 8x10

In progress

With this painting, I am putting to use all of the things I have been studying in the portrait and figure workshop this week.  This little darling is my youngest grandson, and I am working from a photo today instead of the real boy.  In the first stage, I have sketched in the lines and placed my darkest darks.  Since I am doing a head and shoulder study, it is more natural for me to paint the eyes first (which is NOT what I learned in the workshop - but just my personal preference).  Once I had the eyes in - I thought it looked pretty creepy on the unpainted surface  - so I took a photo!  It is really why I decided to include my steps!  At the second stage, I have filled out the flesh - marking the warms and cools, which actually look very lifeless on the pale pink wash.  I needed to get some of the surrounding colors in before adding much to the color of the skin.  So much of the color comes from the reflected light from the shirt and other close objects.  I am constantly pushing the temperature of the colors - especially since I am working with a photo.  The colors are so much harder to identify without the live model.  I already see a few things I want to change, but as it is getting late I am going to wait until tomorrow and daylight to finish.  This one makes 425 paintings in 425 days.  We are expecting snow again - and the amounts are widely varied!  I wonder what I'll wake up to!

First strokes

Exploring Fingers

Exploring Fingers
Graphite on Bristol, 9x12

Picking up my pencils again is like returning to an old friend.  Each stroke soothing and comforting.  Smudging out the skin tones, and using the rolled tortillions to blend, acts like a balm to my spirit.  I can remember the small cardboard box of old wooden pencils waiting for me at my Grandma'a house.  Sitting at a child's desk in the kitchen by a north facing window, the space seemed set up just for me.  I never failed to sift through the little box, choosing my tools carefully.  Inside the desk, there was always paper and a Big Chief tablet at my disposal.  It didn't matter what I drew, Grandma loved it all!  I still remember the absolute joy I felt whenever I created.  When I pick up a pencil now, all those memories return.  Even the smell of the old paper and the wood from the pencils.  This is a good place to go for a little art therapy.  I can control my pencils when I cannot control the circumstances around me.  Today was not so good for my dad, he has been confused the whole day.  Still in the ICU, I am praying for improvement with the coming day.  This makes artwork number 415 in as many days.

Picking Pumpkins

Picking Pumpkins
Graphite on bristol, 8x9

Today, as I wait in my dad's hospital room, I have my paper and a few graphite tools in my lap.  I brought a few printed photos to work from, in case I had the time or inclination to get to it.  Many artists work well under duress, but that has never been me.  After driving all night, arriving at 3:30am, I only slept a couple hours.  As I began to struggle to keep my eyes open, I pulled out my paper and started to work.  The process helped to revive me.  I was more alert, and could easily visit with my mom and staff - all the while, accomplishing something.  I really didn't feel like drawing when I started, but the process became soothing.  I didn't bring my paints with me on this trip - the hospital frowns on such things in the rooms, and I don't expect to have any daylight hours to spend outdoors.   So, I will be drawing for the next few days.  This is my 270th artwork in as many days, and Day 30 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge - the final day :)

Falling Asleep - in progress

Falling Asleep
Graphite & ink on bristol, 14x18

I started this today for an upcoming drawing competition.  I found this photo on my son's old ipod - which he gave to me to use.  Instantly, I knew I must draw it!  I want to do this one in oils at a later date, too.  This is my youngest daughter putting little Alastair (my second grandson) to sleep.  I love the peaceful expressions and the natural positions of both.  I still have some work to do on this, but am posting this one for today's work.  The shadows are very dark in my reference photo, and I still have a ways to go on that.  My 8b water-soluable graphite was not getting the job done, so I added a black intense pencil to the mix.  These pencils work well for small dark areas, but are hard to get even in a large shaded area.  So, in just a while, I will add black charcoal in the deepest shaded areas - hoping to bring them to the desired depth.  This is my 265th artwork in as many days, and Day 25 in Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Painting Challenge.