Serious

Serious
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I totally forgot to take a photo of my color study on this one, which is done in the first 10 minutes of painting.  So, the very first layer is nothing more than a block in of shapes and planes, with no real definition of features like eyes, nose or mouth.  After my block in, I had to get to Michael's guitar lesson, so I didn't get back to this for quite a while.  Once I started laying down strokes, I worked on the planes of the face and hair - getting the shapes right before I narrowed down to mouth, nose and eyes.  I found I was getting very tight with the brushwork, and once again, I had to actively think of getting loose with that brush!  It is so natural for me to push right into realism, but this month is all about impressionism in the portrait - so I will persevere!  Painting number 1050 in 1050 days :)

The Glance

The Glance
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Yesterday’s block in was SO difficult!  I was really concentrating, thinking about each stroke - and it pushed me over the edge.  For this one, I simply relaxed and started blocking in masses loosely, trying NOT to think about what I was doing.  I paint SO much better when I disengage my brain!  The block in unfolded before me, and it really is easier to place all the features by working loose.  It is a sure way to get features right, and I don’t have a lot of time invested in areas, should I want to adjust their location.  I have never worked this way, so this is a big lesson to learn.  I let this dry completely, to await the next layer.  This allows for subsequent strokes to be simply removed with a damp paper towel, if desired.  I corrected some of the shapes in this layer, and tried to incorporate more color.  With so much dry brushing in this layer - it looks like I'll be scrubbing my new brushes away into dust!  Painting number 1041 in 1041 days :)

color block in

reference - Michaela 

Michaela - value study

Michaela - value study
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

I am hoping that one month of these 40 minute value studies will sharpen my portrait skills. Improving accuracy with speed, and injecting genuine mood that can be felt with spontaneous strokes, are just a couple of rewards I hope to glean from this one month of portrait concentration.  I feel I am already better understanding the application of the masses to create form, rather than the sketching out of the composition first - which is a big step for me, as I have deep, deep roots in linear work!  The real key to success here is to step outside of my box, open myself up totally to this new way of portrait technique, and throw myself in whole-heartedly!  Capturing the perfect likeness in 40 minutes still evades me, but I am going to work on that until it happens every time!  I did decide to leave out her hand, to strengthen the composition. Painting number 1039 in 1039 days.

Michaela

Michaela
oil on panel, 8x10

This was such a busy day!  Starting with switching out art this morning, right to Zumba and piyo classes, and then to a day of shopping for a prom dress at the mall!  By the time I finally returned home, I didn't know what to paint.  I missed a plein air paint in the Jazz District, and returned home too late to make figure drawing.   I looked through some reference material, and since I have been studying portrait and figure work - I thought I would try my hand on another painting of my daughter.  (I think she is getting a little tired of me using her for a model...)  My focus on this one is attention to the colors of the planes of the skin, softening and diffusing the farther from the face.  I'm trying to accurately portray the hues that I see, concentrating on REALLY looking at the skin tones.  There is so much to this portrait painting! There are so many nuances of skin, it is all painting the light and how it falls on each plane. I worked a little longer on this one than I normally do on a daily paint, but that study time is time well spent - each stroke a lesson learned. This painting makes 445 in as many days.

Michaela and her Guitar

Michaela and her Guitar
Graphite on bristol, 9x12

Just a quick post for today, as I am headed out for the annual "Shroedderfest" celebration in minutes!  This is a more classic rendering of one of my favorite photos of my youngest daughter, playing her guitar, with one of my favorite mediums - graphite!  This is artwork number 288 in as many days :)

For a Song

For a Song
9x12

I started a large painting of this image some time ago.  I was working in acrylics at the time, and the background was a very dark criss-cross underpainting.  I had bought some new acrylics - which I wanted to work with on the next step, and I just didn't get to it.  So, when I knew I would need to get some reference material together for an extended trip from home, this was one that I wanted to work on.  Using this as a study, I am playing around!  All of the pencils I use regularly are watersoluable - which means I can simply take a brush to any areas and move it around with a little water - as long as I don't spray it with a fixative.  This is a little crazy, but my youngest daughter likes my crazy work - and this one is for her!  Working on this gives me some fun new things to try on the large painting that I fizzled out on.  Sometimes, all I need to do is change things up a bit to get excited about a piece that has grown stagnant.  This wild and crazy piece is my 274th one in 274 days.  Perhaps I will work ahead for tomorrow - as I may well be on the road all 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.

Michaela in Charcoal

Michaela in Charcoal
Tinted charcoal on mi-teintes paper, 12x9

The last couple of days I have been drawn to figure work again, wanting to try different mediums and surfaces.  I pulled out my tinted charcoals - which I have only used a hand full of times, and this creamy paper.  I selected the burnt embers color of charcoal - and started my work.  It has been so long since I have used charcoals - that I had forgotten the feel.  The way they scratch against the surface, resisting in some areas - it is so unlike my consistent graphites.  But like an old friend, they grew on me......I remembered how I liked them and how they were one of my first real mediums, when only in the second grade.  The idea of doing 30 figures in 30 days has kept popping into my mind.  I have thought of it before, but I have always drifted away from it.  Maybe it is time for me to give it some attention.  It is a sure way to hone those skills in a hurry.  This is my 169th painting in 169 days.  Where will tomorrow lead me?

Picking Winter Wildflowers

Picking Winter Wildflowers
Oil on panel, 12x9

Today started with taking my daughter's green cheek conure to the bird doctor, followed by some shopping.  After picking my youngest daughter up for more shopping (still looking for a dress for my son's wedding) - it was a very full day.  Not the sort of day you jump right into a portrait at a late hour.  I looked at some of the things I have lined up to paint, but this was still the one calling to me.  The cloudy, winter landscape is one of the hardest for me when it comes to colors.  Everything is so subdued.  The wildflowers had dried on the stems - making for some good winter interest.  My cousin had taken this picture for me to work from.  A good thing, too!  I couldn't get Michaela to pose in the dark in the back pasture with rain threatening!  And even if I could, it is pitch dark out tonight - absolutely no light to paint with.  I am going to let this one rest tonight.  I will look at it with fresh eyes tomorrow.  This is my 64th painting in 64 days.  I wonder what I will feel like painting tomorrow............