Collins

I'm finished with 'Collins' for the time being, but may find some more things to adjust as I live with it in the studio. 

While waiting for my camera battery to recharge and the retouch varnish to dry on 'Michelle in the formal dress," I started a little painting of my cousin's precious daughter, Collins. I'll continue work on it tomorrow and post the final product.

Red Anjou Pear

Yesterday, in between lessons, I worked on another still life. The red pear had attracted my eye at the grocery store. You're being a bit cheated on seeing the full range of colors used in the painting, but I couldn't capture with the camera. It was an enjoyable exercise nonetheless. The highlight gave me the most trouble and I'll be sure to study highlights more closely when I'm looking at other still life paintings.

Michelle in Progress

Here is the actual portrait for which I posted the sketch earlier this week. I am about three days in with lots more to go, but wanted to update everyone on the progress. Today, I have done a fairly thick coat on the background with a palette knife (which I rarely use!).  Then I used a brush to etch in the design and while it is still wet, I'll work in some color. Ideally, I will get as much done as I can before it dries in order for the print to feel fully incorporated and give the look I'm striving to achieve. With it being so wet, it was hard to get a great picture, but you get the general idea.

In the updated picture above, I'm continuing to work on the background and dress this week and looking forward to addressing the face and figure to make everything feel more cohesive. The actual dress is iridescent, so I think I'll experiment with a gold or bronze oil paint, which I haven't used before.

1.18.11

Gretchen absolutely spoiled us with this standing pose and taking very few breaks.  I am so happy to be back in a routine of working from life.

Planning Stages

Here is a small sketch I did in preparation for a 24"x36" oil painting. I've been thinking about this concept for awhile and had Michelle, the model, back yesterday to figure out the correct lighting. I have found another way to reuse bridesmaids dresses! Thank you Maria for choosing such a beautiful dress.

1.13.11

After being snowed in for three days, it was fun to get out and work with a model again. I had about two hours with Kemi Thursday night and then finished up the drawing today. I plan to do a series of figure drawings on this toned paper with charcoal. It creates a nice effect.

Still lifes

In addition to working on the portrait and figure, I'm dabbling in still lifes as well. Here is one I completed recently and I'll post tomatoes soon after a little more work.

AMM 4"x4" on copper

This is the start to my miniature portrait of Andy. At the workshop in December, Robert was demonstrating on zinc at one point, so I thought I'd try my hand at it. I'm working in stages because it is pretty slippery and it helps to have a little dry paint built up on the surface. I'll post the final product!