Lobentruck, stage 1 16 x 20 inches, oil on canvas
I have started a little side project, just for kicks. Upon seeing the the sinking tractor painting, my friend David sent me a photo of a sinking truck, to which I replied, "hey, why don't we both do a painting from this and see how differently they come out?"
David, who is a good sport, readily accepted. I asked him to set the parameters for this challenge and he proposed a deadline of mid December, and on a support of 16 x 20.
David likes to work big, but I was thinking more like 9 x 12 so I thought "yikes". But I am not one to shrink from such a challenge (which accounts for my many failures) so I dove right in.
What I've shown here is the first stage - the wash - of that process. David thought it'd be a hoot to record the progress (David thinks the whole world is a hoot) and I must admit, it sounded like a good idea to me too. If anything, it'll keep me accountable.
The project has evolved a bit, and now he's assigned his students to do the same in charcoal and watercolor (two different classes). It'll be interesting to see the result, to say the least.
Stay tuned~
8 comments:
Love the old truck so far. Karin Jurick is hosting the same idea, and getting all kinds of twists on the subject.
Well I'll be damned!!...it looks good NOW! Am I pleased too easily?
Very good start..almost reminds me of Andrew Wyeth..keep it up till the end.
thanks Mark~ Yeah, Karin is doing a great thing with that project. How she does all she does, and still manage to make beautiful (and often complex) paintings is beyond me. Go Karin!
David, now don't be raisin' the bar on no expectayshuns. As I said to you before, a good start doesn't guarantee a good finish! In fact I've seen many times that it often has a paralyzing effect. My main aim right now is to not start feeling so precious about it that i start tightening up like a photo-retouch guy.
Milindmulik, thanks much! That's a great compliment. Though Mr. Wyeth would probably shake his head~ If I can maintain a certain mood reminiscent of - but a little warmer than - A.W.'s work, I'll have achieved something.
Terry- I laughed as I read your comment here to David about morphing into the retouch guy.
The eternal journey of when to stop, and fearing that by adding paint and color, you'll ruin a beautiful beginning....
What you started here in that sepia like wash is so evocative of the era of that lovely old truck and so loose and soulful.
I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing yours and Davids' complimentary approaches to the same subject.
However it ends up, viewing the process is great.
thanks bonnie~ No offense to the retouch guys out there. I confess; in my professional capacity as an illustrator, I did lots of retouching and photo-realistic paintings myself. It's taking me years to undo that habit, and learn how to be suggestive without spelling everything out. We'll see how this one turns out!
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