Mr. Sweater
Why, hello there Mr. Sweater. It’s a fine evening for staring intensely into each other’s eyes, don’t you think?
Little Commission
I finished up this little commission this week. I found oil-based pens at the shop and, as per the client’s request, I have written over top “Si por cada año que hemos estados casados sólo hubiera tenido 1 peso… aún sería un hombre rico” which translates to “If for every year that we’ve been married I only had one peso… I would still be a rich man.” They’ll be married 30 years soon and so there are 30 pesos in the painting, along with their wedding rings.
This Is Going To Take Forever!
I’ve been working this painting for a week and this is it! At 60 x 56″ this is going to take a long time.
Establishing Tonal Values
When starting a new underpainting I look to render the facial features accurately and also, the tonal values. Establishing the correct lighting is a crucial yet tricky job. After having a moment to look at what I’ve done today, I have decided that this head will require another layer to darken up the shadows on the skin. I’ll start tomorrow’s painting session on this head once again, after it has dried.
Drawing More From Life
I’m slowly improving at this nude model work. I think I need to go more often.
Preparatory Drawing
I’ve done this drawing in preparation for a new painting based on a hundred photos I took this past weekend. I’m trying to work out body language and positioning. I want the bodies have an equal weight on both sides and appear balanced. I’m not there yet… but close.
Sick From School
Nico is home sick from school today so we’re playing around with watercolours. Even though he’s sick (and looks it here) he would not sit still long enough! I did this in about 20 min.
To Glaze Or Not To Glaze
WIP (maybe?): I’m undecided as to whether or not to go further on this portrait. I like the grisaille and I’m reluctant to put any colour on this. Whenever I use Titian’s techniques (as opposed to Caravaggio’s, my normal method) something always seems amiss with the glazing – it’ll look great in the flesh, but will not photograph well.
Formal Properties
I’m not usually one to gush over formal properties, but… how gorgeous is this?!
I’ve simply taken a canvas board and painted a wash of burnt umber with mineral spirits quite thickly, then took my brush (dripping in mineral spirits) lengthwise across the canvas to create all kinds of ruts, drips, and texture. Instead of doing an underpainting in burnt umber and then grisaille, I can go straight to grisaille from here.
Grisaille With Burnt Umber Wash
WIP: This is a painting of my dear friend Laura and her daughter. Laura is such a caring mum and a beautiful person, so I hope that that shows through. I’ve done a really rough burnt umber wash, drawn the figures in pencil, and now I’m going straight to grisaille.
