Jake - Progress

Still working on "Jake" and I hope to complete it relatively soon. I'm also working feverishly on "Lust" in the studio. Sometime in the next couple days I will post my first layer of that painting.

Life Painting Completed

I'm really very happy with the way this painting turned out. This model and another model from December also both posed for me last night for my next sin painting, "Lust." I can't wait to get started on it this week!

Sunday Figure Painting Classes

Above is the painting I am currently working on during the Sunday Figure Painting classes in my studio. There's room for more to join us, so if you are interested please be sure to contact me at Lacey (at) Lacey-Lewis.com. We will meet March 1st, 8th, 22nd, and 29th from 10am-1pm and the cost is $120 for all for classes. All skill levels welcome.

"Jake" Progress

I didn't get to work on this Tuesday or Wednesday because I was running around getting other stuff done, but I did get a few hours in on it today. The pictures aren't that great because it's not with the good camera, but you can still get a decent idea of what's happening.

"Sloth"

I totally forgot to come and post this now that I am done with it. "Sloth" oil on linen 48" x 72". I should be getting started on the next deadly sin next week. This week I will be working on "Jake."

One Finished, One Started

I finished the painting above yesterday, though I still don't have a name for it. Suggestions, anyone? It seems the subject has come out looking a little upset, and she's kind-of squashed between those black stripes on either end of the canvas, so I have had little ideas of what she might be apprehensive about, but am interested in what others see in this one. You will notice if you look closely that, relatively speaking, I have left the fabric in the background unfinished. I decided I don't leave things as-is enough, and felt the fabric was fairly-well defined and added a contrast to the flesh.

On to the next one. This is a quick scrub-in I did last night for my painting, "Jake." All that is on this canvas right now is ivory black+OMS in the background and a couple other spots, burnt umber+OMS scrubbed into the flesh areas, and then black+titanium white (to make it look cooler, or more 'blue') +OMS for the jeans. I really look forward to working on this one again, and hope to get it finished-up in a jiffy!

P.S. My painting "Sloth" is practically finished. Just a couple details and a signature and I will be all set. I'd post an update, but I don't have a picture from my good camera.

Sloth - Getting So Close!

I'm working really hard to get this finished up! I have yet to work on the lower section of red on the sofa, the legs, or the floor. After I get to that stuff, I think it will just be a little tweaking here and there across the composition.

This pic is cropped from the larger image, so some of the detail is lost.

I've been adding highlights by scumbling. I start by mixing up a very light color, in this case titanium white mixed with ultramarine blue, pthalo turquoise, and ivory black. Obviously, the mixture is almost completely white. I dab a small amount onto the canvas in the areas to be lightened. Then, I take a clean, old bristle brush that is in pretty bad shape and I would not otherwise use for painting, and I use it to scrub the paint thinly over the surface.

As paint builds up on the brush, I wipe it off on a rag and then begin scrubbing again. This helps create a nice glow as the underneath layers are visible through lighter top layer. In the above images, already scumbled areas include the forehead, brow bones, and upper cheek. The nose, chin, and lower cheek are waiting to be done.

Sunday Life Painting - Week 1

I get two more Sundays to work on this one. I am happy with this so far, except for the lower hand. Didn't have time to refine it and get it the right shape and size before the session was over. This is all on a little 10" x 8" panel.

Sloth - Additions and Adjustments II

I have a much better image of this area today. Of course, keep in mind that much of the canvas in this area has still not been painted other than the very first under layer. The bottle, pills, remote, and hand are nearly finished, though. I will add some of the cool blue/turquoise color the pills especially and work some more on the details of the buttons. Oh, and I changed the shadows from last time. Still not sure they are right where they need to be.

I was hoping to go ahead and get this painting done this week, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Maybe I need to accept the idea that I could be working on this for the rest of my life!

Sloth - Additions and Adjustments

Unfortunately I don't have a better image of this that shows the red of the bottle, etc., but I have added a prescription bottle with pills, and moved the location of the remote. Can anyone guess where the bottle is from? However, I think my shadows might be going slightly in the wrong direction. I am looking into it.

Kansas City, KS Arts Blog

I've started yet another blog! This one highlights the arts in KC, KS. I am posting any info that comes to me about the arts in KCK, and will also highlight local arts groups and individual artists.

Check it out: http://kcksarts.blogspot.com/

Please subscribe by entering your email in the box in the upper right-hand corner. Don't worry, it won't send your email address to me!

Also, don't forget about the KCKSARTS Yahoo! Group!

Painting Updates

Here's a closeup of Sloth's face. Today I worked on the lower hand and started sketching in the remote control. I do, in fact, have an old VCR remote at the studio that I am using for a reference.


I've been working on this one at home, but feel the forward leg went too orange. Back to work I go!