Here are heads No.7 ~ No.10. I just realized I forgot to post No.5 and 6. I'll do that on the next post. These head studies, as I mentioned before, are quick and dirty and I only work on them until my baby wakes up from her nap. She's not very consistent in how long she sleeps, so sometimes I am far from finished when I have to put my brush down.That's ok because I don't expect to finish them. I'm fine with abandoning when the buzzer goes off, and just start a new one the next day. That sort of "parameter" is rather liberating, and relieves me of pressure to do well every time. I typically just set out with one problem to solve and I don't expect to solve them. I explore and investigate, and while I may not solve a problem every time, I always learn something. And that's progress, in baby steps.
No.7 - I used a Sargent drawing as a basis for this one. I wasn't trying to make a Sargent-like painting, (not that I could, if I tried!) just using the drawing for reference. I was particularly interested in simplifying the attitude or expression, of the nose and the lips. I'm pretty happy with it.
No.8 Splotchy brushstrokes, a la Fechin. Not muddling the stroke edges - you can see I kind of lost it on the contour. Also, I was interested in painting a profile with almost no shadows to define the structure. The value and temperature changes had to be subtle, with the hair providing the value punch.
No.9; Looking down. The drawing has its challenges with this angle. I fussed with it too much and didn't pay enough attention to other factors. The value oriented "tonalist" structure conflicts with the color temperatures (the blues around the brows are too cool and obvious) I noticed it and was contemplating whether to warm that up or introduce a more consistent cool light. but then... time's up!
I like the abstract quality of this one. However, it's the result of rushing through the process and not something I meant to do. So that, to me doesn't count as a success. It's an accident. Still, I look at it and see things I like, and I can apply them to future paintings on purpose. There is a lot of value in the unsuccessful attempts; maybe more than the successful ones.
12 comments:
No. 7 is my favorite, but all are lovely. I like that they don't have a more polished and finished look - as if you are painting quickly from women you see in the park or somewhere.
--- Rhonda
Hey Terry, I sent you a card and a box of the turtles for the Holiday. Was not sure if you got them? So I love the head studies, and working form a Sargent drawing is fun. But, why not try using one of your own figure drawings to do a paint study from. I know you have piles of old drawings from figure studies. So I will pick one of my drawings and try the same thing. No size requirements just a one hour thing like you have been doing. Deal?
Looks like another painting "challenge" here with Michael. Gonna seal the deal, I hope! Love your sketches. I'm in Pacific Grove right now visiting family and doing a few quickie pen/wash sketches of the area. Think I'll post a few when I get back.
Thanks Rhonda~ that "quick capture" look is what I'm looking for. In a way. Fresh and spontaneous. for me that's heck of a lot harder to do than the slick, finished head paintings.
Very nice head studies. Love that "quick capture" of yours. Great inspiration as I have been practicing with heads found in newspapers, magazines or old masters art books. Such an excellent learning experience for me.
Hey michael. so sorry i'm falling behind in my thank you's! but yes, we got the turtles and they disappeared quickly - they were frickin' awesome!! thanks so much:-) the keeblers rock!
the card too was way cool. your illustration style seems to be finding real identity. Nice work, dood!
I've been thinking about doing some studies from my figure drawings. You're right, i have a ton of them. I think it'll have to wait a few weeks though, as tomorrow (monday) we're starting some construction at our house. I'm not sure how long it'll take, but after it's done, we'll give it a go!
Happy New Year!
David, Pacific Grove is a nice little town. I love that area. There's this red brick church on the main street there, that I painted before...
yep. will do the "challenge", but in a few weeks! Have fun in PG~
Hi Philippe~ hope you're having a good holiday season~ keep on paintin' them heads! 'hopefully, we'll get together and catch up sooner rather than later!
What a wonderful way to see your technique. Looks fun, too.
Hi Ed~ Happy New Year! and thanks for visiting.
by the way, your recent cloud paintings are fabulous!
Some of my very best paintings were accidents, but it doesn't disqualify them as paintings.Drawing, color, form, values, etc., etc. are still obviously there which make it such a wonderful piece of work but without those fantastic "accidents" from time to time I think painting would become a bit too predictable and formulaic.
I agree, i do like the accidents. Sometimes, I narrowly define "successful" as absolute control, and when in that context, I don't count accidents as success. Other times, I actively seek new accidents. I guess I define success as whether I achieved my original purpose or not.
by the way, i LOVE your trees!
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