Thursday, January 31, 2019

'Portrait of Strength: Girl With Green Sweatshirt' (16" x 20" Oil Painting)

Even if this painting doesn't really look like the model, enjoyed doing it. Instructor Ismael Checo gave great feedback as always: Start faster, work looser, check values. 

I started from life, finished from a photo. 3 hours total.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Life Drawings: Raven at Chappaqua Performing Arts Center (CPAC)







The nude pose was 5 five minutes; the clothed poses were 10 and 20 minutes, respectively. 

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Urban Landscape IV: 'Lunch Break" (12" x 12" Oil Painting)



Scenes of people just doing their thing is one of my favorite things to paint. The latest painting in my urban landscape series is a lady taking a lunch break outside the New York Public Library.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Figure Drawing Practice


Playing with some new materials - powdered charcoal, charcoal pencil. It didn't go well -- a struggle until I figure out how to use them.

I intended to create a dark background, and pull out the lights. Abandoned that idea halfway, and tried to salvage the drawing in sepia colored pencil. Will try again!

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

'Urban Landscape III': New York Public Library (20" x 20" Oil)


If you are from New York City, you will recognize this landmark.

Two lion statues -- 'Patience,' and 'Fortitude' -- grace the Fifth Avenue entrance of the New York Public Library. This one is Fortitude (I think)!

Monday, January 07, 2019

'Urban Landscape II': (20" x 20" Oil)


A recent Chinese fortune said, "Persistence and determination will be rewarded". I'll keep that one taped to my easel!

With that advice in mind, here's a crit of my 2nd urban landscape:
  • The good: I'm finally working in a series. (It only took me 18 years!) And, I tried to be looser.
  • The bad:  I really don't know how to harmonize colors! 
I'm really looking forward to an online class on color with Patti Mollica, which should help.

'Urban Landscape I': (20"x 20" Oil )



Here's my first painting of the New Year, for an urban landscape series I'm starting. My crit:
  • Keep things looser. Too tight.
  • Plan the composition -- a single focal point would make it much stronger. The images below show how that improves things.


This demonstrates the value of doing a thumbnail, trying out different compositions, before you begin.  Lesson learned!