My Blog List

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

End of The First Quarter.

The first quarter of  charting ended with Terra Rosa hung on the wall I cleared for the  charts.
Aside from hanging space, clearing the wall gave me more open floor space, the better to back up and squint.



I got my wall plus another project: move the electrical sculpture that's smack dab in the middle of it.
 A new outlet will be added up towards the ceiling and the wires shortened.



Just turning the shelving unit gave me not only a clear wall to hang my color charts, but also more open floor space.
I occasionally put the canvas on the floor and walk around it viewing the color composition.
 
 
My studio is no great space by some folks (swell) standards, but it serves me well and better after last weekend.  My work paid off in hanging space and  open floor space--all because I decided to chart Richard Schmid's suggested palette.  Another bonus from all that dust and trash was a plan for new lighting. While many, many artists prefer natural North light exposures for their studios.  I like to painting under incandescent lighting. That's what people have in their homes, where they hang art.
 
"The studio is less important than other things, like the burning desire to paint. If you don't have this disease, you can't catch it from a nice studio." --Warren Criswell

TERRA ROSA IS AN ABSOLUTELY LUSH COLOR!

I charted it as the red for a palette of primaries. I suspected it was important for the self portrait I'm working on. Today, I knew I was right.  The chart revealed beautiful skin tones, which  I've started to work into the face.

Terra Rosa not only suits the face, but will be  in the front brim of the hat, reflected off the face.
Cobalt Blue, Yellow Ochre and Terra Rosa plus white is all the palette this painting needs.

I did this drawing from a web cam photo I took while trying to figure out Windows 8.1 on my new computer.
I think it speaks volumes about the latest Windows software.

11 comments:

  1. Love the quote about the studio -- it says it all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought so. I designed a lot of very high end kitchens fit for the finest chefs, but most all those clients dined out every night. Then there's the folks at the gym with the designer workout clothes who never work up a sweat. Fancy fixing don't mean beans. Another guy said, "don't ever apologize for your studio." I've been guilty of that, but stopped when I realized all I needed was a little corner in the basement where I could make a mess.

      Delete
  2. Bellissimo il tuo Studio .la grafica die colori é una Cosa molto importante ,servirebbe pure a me ,che pasiccio sempre nel mescolare i colori
    Mi piace molto la tua pittura ,Complimenti !
    Un caro saluto dalla Svizzera ,ora nel pieno die suoi colori della primavera ! Bianca
    www.biancabotes.blogspot .com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. La primavera è troppo finalmente qui! Sono entusiasta. Forse è per questo che ho deciso di fare un po 'di pulizia? o forse ho davvero bisogno di un muro per appendere questi grafici su che sono stati molto ben informato? Spero si potrebbe dire dalla foto che li ho appoggiati su grossi chiodi con testa in modo che io potessi muovermi stesse in prossimità della palette per mescolare una partita? avranno bisogno di verniciatura, naturalmente. le mie mani sono pulite raramente in quella stanza. :-)). Grazie Bianca.

      Spring is finally here too! I'm excited. Maybe that's why I decided to do some 'cleaning? or maybe I really need a wall to hang on these charts that have been very informative? I hope you could tell from the photos that I've placed them on large nails with heads so that I could move them close to the palette to mix a match? They will need to be varnished, of course, My hands are rarely clean in that room. :-)). Thanks Bianca.

      Delete
  3. I think the work space is superb! Glad to hear Spring has arrived in Michigan.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It works. Sorry if I offended with an opposing view of zoos. But we have them and have an obligation to deal with the wildlife they house humanely.

    ReplyDelete
  5. your portraits are both excellent. I really love that profile. Your workspace is looking just right. I like my basement studio...I think lots of people don't understand that--but to me it is just fine. I think you feel the same. It is great to have a dedicated space.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was a cabinetry designer and space planner for thirty years and not once did I ever think I needed a more elaborately furnished space. I am a "point-of-first-use" designer. I think function dictates aesthetics. Portraiture is a controlled genre--i.e. Brushstrokes may be laid does gesturally, quickly and loosely, but with accuracy. Gestural portraiture is the most difficult because it does require accuracy neatly placed. Landscapes however one can be much more vigorous in paint application and my spot in the unfinished area of my lower level is perfect. Paint spots and splashes are not a disaster. Charcoal dust is not a disaster. If those things happened in the finished area of the lower level (in Michigan, lower level is a basement with high ceilings, finished walls, flooring, lighting, full windows and an exit to the out-of-doors), I wouldn't be painting. I don't paint in a "living room." The little built-in cabinetry I do have back there is need of a full session scrub down with solvents and mask. I hate to think of having to wash down more cabinetry.

      I think we need a dedicated place. While the pay is lousy, we do go to work everyday. We need our own workspace.

      Thanks. If I'm not mistaken, I see a radical improvement between my portrait work last year and this. Next year ought to be fabulous. :-)). :-))

      Delete
  6. When studying something so carefully, the result is great. Like a mosaic we decompose (everything that was already in our own head on the painting)
    according to reassemble a greater awareness under the guidance of Special Masters. I see in your painting how this preparatory work and analysis is further increasing your natural boldness to paint "Alla prima".
    Have nice springtime week end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rita. The weather is great. I feel great. And we off on a halftime extravaganza.

      While I've completed six charts of the suggested twelve, I still have more to go, more to look at up close. Then I will investigate the whites--and shades. As white is a unifying factor in creating a harmony, so is black. Though frowned upon at this time, It won't be some other decade. Artists are always looking for something extraordinarily new and different and eye catching. There really is nothing, it's all been done. The popularity pendulum will always continue to swing between this and that. I am looking at it all to see what suits me. If I taught oil painting 101, a class for beginners, charting their palettes would definitely be an exercise. Also, familiarity with all the supplies--oil mediums--and surfaces would be a unit in my curriculum. A list of eighteen colors, a canvas pad and an assortment of brushes is not enough of an education.

      Delete
  7. I love, just love that drawing, I have felt just like that.......though not often, thankfully! I count how rich I am by having my own space and the freedom to use it as and when I please. Seems that you wouldn't want to do without that either!

    ReplyDelete