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| My Guys, under construction |
Spent a part of the day attacking My Guys after it sat in the corner a year or more looking pretty stiff. It's going to be an odd painting, one only the mother who painted it could love. But that's the way painting goes. This is one portrait I can play with till satisfied. There's no one else to account to but me. It will never be perfect, a plus factor. That allows me to paint however the urge moves me. I probably shouldn't show it while it's under construction, but whose blog is it anyway? I am Out on A Limb after all and feeling pretty footloose frisky being back in the studio. Gestural is what I'm after. You can't get gestural, if you don't gesture. Have a great weekend y'all. It's going to be great painting; there's more snow moving in.
I, too, dear Linda, this year I decided to paint, first of all, for me and my way ...
ReplyDeleteI learned so many things that my head is full of notions and reflections on many painting methods.
It 'started a new period where what I do now... is just how I think. Now reading your post, I feel the same ... I'm glad you're tryng what you want, using the gesture. And the only way to be good with the gesture ... is the practice! Good luck with your three boys ....you know, I'm really fond of this painting.
"trying"
DeleteThere's a time to forget about the shoulds do it this way, shoulds do it that way. I've taken all the art classes, went to all the workshops, read all the books and spent years drawing and painting good, bad and fair works. It's time to get some joy out of all that sweat and self doubt the shoulds implanted. I've absorbed all i ever needed to know. I'm ready to just let go and do. And the results will be some awesome works, some mediocre works and some stinkers. The trick is to just keep at it.
DeleteHello Linda!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you posted these portraits in progress. It is so nice that you share so much of your art life with us! You are certainly right about it being your blog. I love that you go "Out On A Limb!" Makes you who you are! I love the deer from the other day! Take care Linda!
Michael
It shouldn't shock anyone to see a painting where the artist screwed up. A lot of folks look at paintings and probably think they were painted from beginning to finish without a hitch. It's okay with me to let the world know that art is work, a struggle with ups and downs where real winners are hard to come by. It's my pleasure to share.
DeleteI have a feeling this triple portrait is quite good in terms of resemblance and "spirit"...! I love how it looks. Your sons are handsome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I do have their likenesses and now to decide how far to go for "finish."
DeleteEr mooi je gaat een hele nieuwe kant op met schilderen leuk om te zien lieve groetjes Danielle
ReplyDeleteThanks Danielle. Het is niet echt een geheel nieuwe richting. Het is de richting die ik in gedachten had oorspronkelijk, maar werd ook geremd door de verf - olie - om echt in. Ik ben een beetje meer comfortabel met hen nu.
DeletePeeking out from between areas of white canvas are real people. There is so much to admire about the construction this painting besides it being of your sons - chief of which is trying not even a double portrait but a triple!! Oy vey!!
ReplyDeleteOh vey is right. Working on it today, I realized the size of the project and thought one head at a time. Unfortunately the whole must be considered through out. For relief, landscapes on the side. Definitely.
DeleteI like how you redrew the faces and brought your new skills and more acute way of seeing to this revisited triple portrait. It is so ambitious and with your talent, boldness, and determination you will make it a success. I know it helps me to see your works in progress and to hear of the ups and downs you experience on your journey. And I thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteOverly ambitious for my skills, but you know how the young are, they think they know it all! I do know a bit more than when I started this, plus my original intent was not to make a lovely, conventional portrait of my guys, but sort of a free-wheeling slap dash rendition. Gestural has always been my strong card in charcoal, marker, acrylics, watercolor. I'd like to get to that point with oils. This is me feeling out how the medium works. It may go through some very ugly stages till I find it beautiful. I like the way colors play upon one another.
DeleteTo my eye, Picture #1 has something #s 2 and 3 do not. I know it is under construction, but #1 already has a personality.
ReplyDeleteYes he does. but all three do; he just got the most attention back when this was started. He's getting the most attention now.
DeleteGestural rocks - you got it!
ReplyDeleteI like and echo your reply to Rita.
Taste is so subjective so how can the so called "rules" apply to all?
Well maybe then, but not so sure now. The guy on the left is driving me crazy. He needed a face lift. The smug expression and the slight tilt back of his head made feature placement a nightmare. I think I got it yesterday, I'll know today when I open the door to the studio and see him at first glance. The painting is important to me. I think it's a break-through exercise. Only My Guys would allow me to take whatever liberties I intuited. It will probably end up being overdone, but over doing is exactly what teaches you where to stop on the next one. You have to live through it. Besides, I am interested and involved and that's very enjoyable. Oil paint is a bear.
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