When you begin building a house, the rough structure goes up overnight it seems and then the work slows down as the details are added and slower still when we get down to interior fittings. So it goes with a painting done in the Venetian style or Photographic Realism. When I first started Morris, he went together rapidly, but now I'm down to a crawl. This is a painting about folds--folds in his face, his arms, his hands, his shirt. This is a painting about drapery. Anybody who has ever painted drapery knows, it is challenging-- and it's even more challenging when it is hugging
structured forms. While Morris looks relatively the same as the last time I showed him, his folds are in the process of being soften and simplified. I am also lightening up areas that were muted in the dark to define the forms and increase the volume. In photographs images are flattened. In painting, they need to be puffed up as if painted from life. Morris's arm is going to need some rounding out similar to the arm of his chair.
I paint all over the canvas. Using a mahl stick prolongs the session, but only a bit. When I notice I am about to set the rubber tip on fresh paint, it's time to clean up. An hour usually does it. But I'm no longer in a hurry to finish this to get on with that. I am enjoying the journey.
Wow, Morris is looking really good. I love the contrast already, creating fantastic depth, and I'm thinking again that I must have a go at this. Well......maybe, I'd love to have such an achievement, but fear I have not the skill or the patience.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Patience is a requirement, but short sessions and lots of breaks helps. I work it at my leisure. Doing so, I find the method calming and don't feel pressured. The daily little drawings satisfy the need for quick and variety.
DeleteGreat to read the process of this painting. It is a wonderful image!
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy. It's slow going, but everyday a little more gets done. I am hoping to finish in a couple of weeks, but who knows?
DeleteThe idea, the plan, the initial stages are always easier, especially when that fire of passion is hot. Keep the flame going - Morris is looking GREAT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteKathryn
Building this painting is really just like building a custom home. The initial phases go fast. The finish phases go at a snail's pace. I wasn't kidding. But I am in no hurry. The client is willing to wait for however long it takes. Yesterday, I realized gestural is going to come into play in the darkest and lightest areas. This method is no step by step formula for success.
Delete