It has been so long since I posted here and I apologize for that. First a really long (long for us) RV trip of 25 days and then trying to get back into the rhythm of painting often. Although I took a ton of art supplies with me on the trip, I only painted one day. Too many new and exciting things to see.
I am working on perfecting several aspects of my painting style, which involves a lot of trial and error. So much to remember and think about as I paint, but I think that's what keeps me interested. Edges, color temperature, values, transitions, and on and on. I love the challenge of learning new things.
I am really fond of the work of Jeffery Watts, Daniel Gergartz, Richard Schmid, and many others who use varrying colors, temperatures, values and textures to produce amazing paintings that draw and hold my attention. I can look at photos of their work again and again and learn something each time. If you are not familiar with their work, I urge you to google them and treat yourself to viewing their magnificent art. While I really admire the talent it takes to produce work that is very photo realistic, it is not the style that I want for my own work. I love lost and found edges, vignettes, and candid poses showing the essence and character of the person. I have mostly focused on portraits but I am beginning to include more of the figure in my work. New challenge! I am also learning to add areas of light and spark to my work, which produces lovely effects.
I try to paint several times per week. Sometimes ending up with pleasing work and at other times, prompting me to grab a rag with OMS and wipe the entire thing off! I have no desire to keep wasting paint on a piece of work that I hate! I have also returned to previous pieces to enhance them with techniques I am learning to employ. I have a wonderful artist friend, Gini Bosco, who is so generous with her time and gives me honest critiques as well as tips on how to improve my work. I greatly appreciate her expertise and help.
Here are a few recent pieces:
Above is Blake, a recent model at the Monday portrait group I participate in. This is from a photo I took during the session. I'm actually pretty pleased with it. I particulary like the various color temperatures that I used and the fact that I blended less. Such a hard thing for me to do!
During our camping time at the north rim of the grand canyon, I took a mule ride down into the canyon. This fellow was in our group and I took this photo of him when we stopped to rest the mules and our butts! Again, i really like my lack of so much blending here.
i revisited this painting of Mark Davis. It just looked too bland to me so i added more color to his face and to the background. I think I like it better now.
The next two are of a couple of my favorite subjects to paint. Both members of the Texas Legends re-enactment group. Always so generous with their time.
Ooops! Excuse the shadow on the upper right corner of the above painting. It is not there in real life.
