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Sunday, November 20, 2016

IN PROGRESS

Waiting At The Gate, IN PROGRESS, Oil





La Modesta, graphite pencils, 8" x 6"  IN PROGRESS



IN PROGRESS is where I am these days in many endeavors--in this painting where I have stepped away from careful scumbling and paying attention to the line drawing below--in this drawing, of an intent Mexican dressmaker, that started out a sketch, then became a drawing as thirty minutes stretched to an hour and the hour stretched  on to the next day--in catching up with household tasks long ignored as my knee took its time healing--in building my energy and body strength back up with stretch sessions, biking and  longer daily walks, (my most important area of concentration). If body and mind is pooped, nothing gets done.

I expected Waiting At The Gate,  to go slowly, but yesterday I thought maybe not so much as my brush slipped into gestural action and I began "drawing" with  values and letting the forms take shape not as I know they are, but as my eye reads them.  I find working with just Burnt .Umbra  not enough; I need a step darker;  I am about to add Ultramarine to the palette..  The blue mixed into the Umbra  with neither color dominating  adds a depth  Umbra does not. 

Packing for  Mexico is IN PROGRESS.  Mexico means watercolor.  I've packed my tote with both opaque and transparent pads and added a big floppy brush and a waterbrush. .Experimentation more than just fooling around is on my mind.  Maybe I can teach myself something useful about this medium that is so much more transportable than oil paraphernalia?    Of course, I am also taking my camera. I need references! 


SKETCHES  FROM REFERENCE PHOTOS SHOT IN 2014



Going Shopping, graphite pencils, 6" x 8"

He's Cute, graphite pencils, 6" x 8"

.Leave Some Chips For Me, graphite pencils, 6" x 8"


8 comments:

  1. Fabulous drawings, the light on the girl is magic! As is the movement in Going Shopping. Progress indeed, and I look forward to colour on 'Waiting at the Gate, and, always a joy, your watercolours from Mexico.

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    1. Thanks SHARON. Mexico may or may not happen, but I am ready just in case. I added two water brushes to the kit. I'll see what those are about?

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  2. Such a pleasure to visit and see your new masterpieces. Love Waiting At The Gate. Complex... beautifully fleshed out.
    Always fun to see your watercolors when you go to sunny Mexico to escape the weather. Safe travels.

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    1. The housekeeping staff seems to like my beach playtime efforts. I like having something to keep my eyes and hands busy. Waiting will wait, but not for long if we don't go.

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  3. You need the warmer weather to recharge your batteries. Hope Ellis is feeling better.

    We continue to bump-along - I'm painting but not finishing anything; needing to get a grip.

    'Waiting' is coming along nicely. As usual, I love your drawings they are so full of energy and so well drawn. Stay warm.

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    1. I do need sun, sand and surf! But cold water has splashed that plan with doubts. We will either behave like responsible adults or procrastinate the inevitable for a bit of fun? Until, that's decided, Waiting will wait and small drawings will reign. Not very demanding, small sketches give me just enough to do will I juggle life's demands.

      Having never been a painter who started a painting and finished it days later, unfinished paintings waiting for final touches is the norm. It's been my experience that my first finish, the one that comes days after the start, is actually a pause for me to come out of it to clear my head so I could give it a second look less attached. Sometimes, a painting requires several breathers. Don't stress it. Stay well my friend.

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  4. La Modesta is extremely well done - it deserves to be matted and hung, Linda. Have a wonderful and restful time in the Mexican sunshine and warmth. I know you will have some interesting watercolors to show us.

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  5. Hope the trip works out. Try out the waterbrushes in any event; just tried one and it's very good for use in the world, away from a studio.

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