Happy Anniversary Blogger!

2012: A YEAR OF PORTRAITS, A YEAR OF DISCOVERY, 
A YEAR OF ART ACTUALIZATION.

The Unknown Children, 16 x 20; oil
The commission that gave me a shove into portraiture in oils.

Self Portrait #1, oils
My first Little Practice Head of 2012

FROM THIS START CAME AN INTEREST IN GESTURAL PORTRAITURE AND PLENTY OF PRACTICE HEADS. 

No grid systems were used, just free hand  alla prima impressions done from photographs--the informal kind, not the kind that the unknown children's patron handed me. I like the look of people caught going about their business unaware of a camera.

My best model of course was me. I learned about lighting. With my first
effort I learned about controlling the lighting for the photograph. One light source will do instead of the two that are in this one fighting with one another. But it is an interesting look.

Self Portrait of A Computer Addict, self portrait #2. oils
I like this one.  It's casual. It's gestural. It's me.

Ellis, 8 x 10, Graphite

I won't bore you with all of the practice heads I've done this last year. I will tell you that I added charcoal and graphite studies to my process either when the poses I shot were tricky or the values needed studing because the photo was less than wonderful. I added the practice of reproducing those photos shot of work in progress in black and white on the computer as well to better read the values.

This computer addict finds Jasc Photo Album to be of great service in seeing what I've been up to and what still needs improving. While I stand way back often during the painting process and squint till I worry about wrinkles, the computer rendition  backs me away further by transferring the painting to another medium, which increases my objectivity.It's a marvelous tool to use while work is in progress as well as to keep art records.

I also spent time studying John Singer Sargent's charcoal drawings. No other practice showed up how dark shadows should be than this one. I might move on to copying other well know artist's portrait work with charcoal too. It's an eye opener.

A Charcoal copy of John Singer Sargent's Mrs. So and So.
I didn't really care who he was drawing, just how he was drawing.
Actually, I think she looks like Angela Landsbury. 

JD  in shadow, a 15 minute
study in oils

Then I took a workshop--first one ever.  Standing for fours straight nearly killed me, but I came away with full understanding approaching painting via shapes and values. It was a good addition to my year. I immediately applied what I learned to the little head I was studying for a larger project.

I also bought the most expensive art book ever: Richard Schmid's Alla Prima. Would you believe I haven't finished reading it yet. After three chapters, I had to set it aside to let the information set in. Of particular interest to me was his listing of the common things we all do wrong the most.  From that list, the shadows are not dark enough, is  the one I've been working on. It's scary. I'm afraid if I go too dark too quickly, I won't be able to back out gracefully. Again, I'll say this is a book worth buying with the proceeds of one small painting sold for a hundred.

AND NOW I'M HERE with a full agenda for my New Year:  Finish what I started. I call the unfinished works cluttering up my studio UFBs, unfinished business.

PORTRAITS:

JD, charcoal study for I've Gotta Crow

Taylor X Four, 20 x 20", charcoal montage study.

The painting never got done due to mylady's preference for her cat.
Being that I used it for my business cards, I think I have to carry on.
The painting will be large: 36 x 36"

My Guys, work in progress (UFB), oils, 30 x 18
When I started this portrait, I was overly ambitious; I still am. This
painting will take priority over JD. This one needs a lot of work, lucky I love these guys.

LANDSCAPES:  Before dedicating myself to portraiture, landscapes were big with me--and these two UFB landscapes escaped  finishing.  They will be a good side attraction.

Rain, work in progress, 36 x 60, acrylic

This wasn't working in acrylic. The paint dried too quickly. I will
finish it in oils. It needs the smear to achieve the blur look I want.
As you see it, it's been pretty much scraped down.

Woods on Fire, work in progress (UFB), 36 x 36", acrylic.

This will be finished in acrylics, impasto, water spray bottles, on floor, Pollock style.
Ellis hates it. I love the gnarled look of our woods in Fall. this photo  rendition
doesn't do it justice.   

IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR!  I've got balance in my work. The freedom landscapes offer and the discipline of precise measurement that portraiture offers. Happy third blogging anniversary to me. Beginning this blog three years ago today was the best idea. I've come a long way since this first entry 1/06/2010

My Purse, pastel pencil sketch, January 6th, 2010

My timid first drawing was my  first, bold entry in a  blogging journey that lead to actualization.

HERE'S TO WHAT'S TO COME IN 2013!

You know you've arrived when you'll take a webcam pic of yourself just as
you looked when you got out of bed. I have no shame.TG for the blurriness!