My Blog List

Monday, January 12, 2015

Gone With The Wind!

Gone With The Wind #1, graphite,  6" x 8", Thirty Minute Daily Drawing Series

Gone With The Wind #2, graphite, 6" x 8", Thirty Minuit Daily Drawing


I watched this woman for quite a while as she fought the wind for her floppy beach hat.  The wind won.  

Pencil sketches, thumbnails are mostly ignored in the rush to mix paint and hit the canvas, yet, my sessions in front of my SAD light have reminded me  there's so much to learn from  small studies--like what is worth painting--like which points line up with which points to make that person that person--like composition possibilities.  Several  sketches  this month  have shaped my painting plans. Can I be Excused is a definite large  format painting, about 20" x 30"ish.  Gone With The Wind #1 will definitely follow the small format, I'll Be in The Hot Tub.  Then there's I'm Glad to be Here, but that's not as exciting as the red head who wants to leave the dinner table. From following whims, I'm now plotting what is worth  time and effort.  The Venetian Experience pushed me in the direction of exercising morecontrol.

VALUE/DRAWING CHECK:     I'll Be in the Hot Tub, 9" x 12" oil in progress.


The air around her and the light is satisfactory

The values need to be punched up.

During the work process, I often check out how a painting is going by transferring it to the computer for a black and white value check. Her dress needs--and of course that neck and raised shoulder that emphasizes the movement she's about to make. Most of all I'm using much less paint on this one by scumbling instead of slathering.--So not only is that woman's hat gone with the wind, but the gestural approach may be as well?

POST SCRIPT:  I AM FOOLING AROUND FINDING A NEW HEADER.  I NO LONGER FEEL OUT ON A LIMB.  PLEASE EXCUSE MY DUST.  ALL SUGGESTIIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS.


 

10 comments:

  1. always fun to see your sketches....love them both. The beach lady is looking great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Scumbling away analytically till passion takes over. Biggest problem is getting comfortable with small brushes previously used for highlight details only.

      Delete
  2. Some great works here, love the movement in all of them !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jane. Warm up drawings do cut out the guess work when you pick up the paint brush.

      Delete
  3. Love the new header, Linda. I see you there, looking so introspective and quite serious, and I just know you are considering the next step in your thoughtful approach to painting and drawing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Painting this grisaille shook my tree. It stirred up my respect for careful planning and construction, the stuff of sculpture and architectural construction--and the methods of the old masters, the art hanging in the galleries I walked through without giving the work a glance as I made my way to the contemporary wing. Thank you for commenting on my change. I was a bit concerned it was too large.

      Delete
  4. Love this post, Linda! You are so right about those small pencil sketches - their importance in planing a larger work. And I LOVE your new header!!!
    Kathryn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank! I was worried it was too big, but that was the best I could do with what I guessed about the number of pixels and the number of inches across this space. I suppose I could have chosen a more subtle header, but ....As for thumbnails and get acquainted sketches, I did them, but rarely. Using sketching as a passtime while in front of that light, has really sharpened my eye in a very short period of time.. I'm pleased with the progress.

      Delete
  5. I knew it would happen....you have way, way overaken me skillwise. I am in awe of your processes, thinking, work ethic,well, everything. Bloody amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. PS the new header is brilliant, needs no more thought at all!

    ReplyDelete