Starting "Visceral" and Skipping Town

Above is where this painting currently stands. Below you will see an earlier stage. The drawing was first done on the canvas with conte and graphite, and then I went over those lines with diluted oil paint. The next step was to fill in the darkest areas of the painting, simplifying while simultaneously being as accurate as possible with value and hue.

After those dark areas were blocked in, it was much easier to judge the adjacent values. Against a white surface, everything can look too dark, which is why many artists start by toning their canvas. The paint here is still very thin, slightly diluted with OMS, yet note that it is not a monochromatic under painting but a chromatic under painting. This will make a great base for the following layers of paint.

I may get to work on this some more tonight, but then in the morning I am leaving for the weekend. I'll report back about this when I return next week.

Drawing Completed, Opening Report

"Visceral"
Graphite heightened with white pastel, ~ 16" x 12"

This drawing is done, and it was very satisfying to work so slowly and diligently on this. I haven't treated myself to careful drawing in a very long time, and I hope to make it a more regular habit now. I will promptly start the painting of this subject.

Friday night's Beyond Mimesis opening went very well. I received a ton of positive feedback from artists and non-artists alike, which is very encouraging. There's nothing like chatting with other artists who understand the struggle of the market and the drive to keep going who also have common interests in subject matter.

"Beyond Memisis" Opening, Drawing Progress

This Friday the 22nd from 5-8 p.m. is the opening for "Beyond Mimesis - Contemporary Realism" at Strecker-Nelson Gallery in Manhattan, KS. This is a group show featuring 2D and 3D realist artists. I will have several pieces included, and am happy to see that my work is front and center on the postcard!

The drawing is very near completion now, but I am going to continue fine tuning. Now I need to start a less detailed, yet equally accurate, drawing on a canvas.

Nude Drawing, Continued

This is still not completely done, but getting there!

Nude Drawing

This is an unfinished drawing of a subject that will also become a painting. I've spent three days working on the contour and proportions, and I will continue to work carefully until it's as perfect as I can manage. Then I will start to do the same on a canvas.

In non-art news, the Hospital Hill 5K was so much fun that I couldn't wait to sign up for another race. This Saturday I will participate in my second running event, the Teri Mathis Zenner Memorial 4 Mile Run. After that, who knows?

Completed Seppuku Painting

O/C 40" x 30"

I haven't officially come up with a name for this one, nor have I officially signed it. It's still wet, and there's some glare in the picture. As it dries I will think about a good title for it. Until then, it's on to some new work!

May was the last month of classes with my various students until fall. One group, two boys and their mother, moved onto painting this year. I gave the mom, Amy, a chance to try my oil paints before deciding if she wanted to purchase some for next year. She loved the oils, and look at her painting! I am very excited for her accomplishment, as is she.

Painting Progress

Still slowly working on this one. I'm having a lot of difficulty avoiding glare and the effects of sunken-in areas in pictures of this one, but by the time it's finished I should be able to get a good shot. I will not be doing much painting for the rest of the week, as I am preparing to wake early on Saturday for the race. (Thus, not painting until the wee hours of the morning!) No worries; I have some great reading material on drawing the figure to feed my brain in the meantime.

Where I've Been

I've been out running! Sometime last month I decided to give it a try, and slowly I have built up my endurance. This coming Saturday I will run the Hospital Hill Rub 5K. After that, who knows!


Friday, Jay and Barbara Nelson of Strecker-Nelson Gallery came by to pick up some paintings for the upcoming Beyond Mimesis show. It opens Friday, June 22nd, opening reception 5-8pm.

I have continued to paint, but for now I'd simply like to post this Bargue study. The graphite of my drawing doesn't show up as well as I'd like, so just trust that some of it is darker. Right now I can't go into great detail about the purpose and origin of this exercise, but a Google search should yield some useful information for those interested.

Cherries, Completed

This painting is done! 12" x 9" Oil on Panel.

Adjustments

I made some proportional adjustments to this before moving on. I hope the color proves to be as much faun as this stage was!

Seppuku

Beginning of a new painting. Oil on canvas, 40" x 30". I miss starting paintings this way.

Almost There

Cherries Nearing Completion

This painting is slowly coming along. Some transitions need to be softened, etc., but it's getting there. A new, large painting will be started soon.

Cherries Day 2

Started working on 'Cherries' again last night. Still plenty to do! 12"

Mortalitas II - Completed

Mortalitas II, o/c, 36" x 24"

Finally! It's finished. This piece has so much going on in it, I think I could keep making little changes forever. Who knows, until it leaves my house for good, that's still an option. Detail view below:

Mortalitas II - Slowing Down

I have in fact been working on this, and am just finishing it up at a snail's pace. Other obligations have kept me from finishing it... but soon!

Mortalitas II - What Day Is It?

I've painted on this canvas two more evenings since my last post. I think I will finish up the legs and feet and be done with it!

Ma Cherie

I slapped some paint on this little 12" x 9" panel last night. It is all a slippery mess, but should make a good foundation for the painting.

Mortalitas II Day 6

The challenge at this point, besides trying to follow the laws of perspective with fluid paint and wiggly brushes, is to work at making sure the intricate rugs do not compete with the subject and steal the focus of the painting. They should play a supporting role here. To accomplish this I have had to edit out many of the lighter and brighter colors that are present in the rugs, and reduce the amount of detail and strong geometric patterns that can become distracting.

Mortalitas II Day 5

Can you see a difference? I've just put another layer on and adjusted the legs. I know, not very exciting.

Check this out, though:


I took these pictures yesterday. The sun was low, and there were dark clouds overhead (though it didn't rain like it was supposed to) and so the lighting was interesting. On the other side of the street, the trees are budding with green leaves. What gives?


This is my lone tulip. A few weeks ago, the weather was in the 80's, and then it dropped below freezing for a while. Now it's warm again, and the whole bunch of them are pretty confused, but this one decided to go ahead and bloom.