Bravo Linda!! You did it! Congratulations on a wonderful self-portrait. I believe this is one of the best portraits you've done, so far, and it's definitely my favorite. Keep on learning and putting the knowledge to such good use! Sincerely, Gary.
Thanks Gary. It seems I owe Schmid. He has definitely been talking to me in words I understand. Of course his best words are ones we all know. It's the old joke: a tourist in New York stops a guy on the street and asks him the way to Carneige Hall. The guy says, " oh that's easy. Practice, practice, practice." And so I am. This one was weird though. It didn't start to become anything till I got away from the lines. For me lines are for drawings with paper and pencil. Drawing with paint is about shapes and dabs. I had to not let those lines stop me from crossing them.
I guess my expression is apropos for what I am doing this summer: learning to paint with oils with Schmid. catcher in The Rye was the best book of the last century. In the Art world, Richard Schmid's new edition of Alla Prima; Everything I Know About Painting is the must read book in this century. I read like a book promotion in the NY Times, but I am sold on this guy's know how.
Thanks Celeste. you have got to read this book. It makes making art a practical exercise, hard work, to be practiced everyday. till Schmid, I was fooling around.
Thanks Hilda. It really was the reflections in the glasses I was painting. The skin tone though kept getting in the way. What is with those skin tones? A pesky lot of trouble. :-))
This is coming along nicely. Like someone mentioned in last post, a sketch can be as good as a polished piece, but when to stop is the hard part, and you are the only one that can draw the line.
This is it Roger. Finished. All I wanted out of this painting was those glasses. I gottem! On to the next. I am no longer interested in covering every inch of canvas with paint. The practice is too pat, too done, too static. As "they" say in show biz, always leave them wanting more.
het is ook al een tijdje voor mij. Ik heb genoten van het zomerweer en pai Ting, schilderen, schilderen. het is al mooi. Ik heb ook zeuren mijn man om een reis naar Amsterdam te plannen. het Van Gogh Museum is echt mijn bestemming. Ik heb te lezen en bestuderen van hem. Hugs u Danille.
Danielle said it has been awhile since she commented, but things have straightened out. Nice painting. But not in those exact words. I said: it's been a while for me too. i have been enjoying the summer weather and pai ting, painting, painting. it's been lovely. i've also been nagging my husband to plan a trip to Amsterdam. the Van Gogh Museum is really my destination. i have been reading and studying him too. Hugs to you Danille.
I won't hold my breath, but thank you. Approaching painting analytically after years of painting as my mood moved me, is exactly what I needed at this time in life when going at it as a dabbler is no longer acceptable. I met a fabulous young painter who teaches at my alma mater art college and also the association I have patronized periodically over the years. His entries into the Michigan Fine Art Competition blew me away. As far as I was concerned, his painting was best of show. Unlike myself who leans towards the gestural style, his style is precise; he calls it contemporary realism. I think he has a lot to offer, for I definitely am at a point where I know for certain that to paint loosely, one must have mastered precision with color values and brushstrokes. I've taken steps to study with him late summer. I am very excited about it. I'm also excited about Schmid's latest book coming out in July. It goes into his techniques. I am particularly interested in his brushwork. I follow the form, of course, but with apprehension. I hope to shake this indecision and to learn what I want out of the different brushes. With Schmid, scumbling is a key approach.
I enjoyed catching up on your blog, Linda! I love this portrait! I just published on my blog some photo's I took of a recent visit to another Dutch museum with a Van Gogh collection, you may want to have a look. I hope you really visit Amsterdam one day, looking at Van Gogh's paintings in real life is an awesome experience!
Judy I know! Years ago, the Detroit Institute of Art had an extensive Van Gogh exhibit. I lived over there everyday it was here. I think that was the first time I saw The Potato Eaters and realized Vincent had painted traditionally before he let loose. Now I know a lot more about his admiration for Millet and have been trying to sell my husband on visiting Amsterdam, Bruges and Ghent. At the moment, my sale isn't going very well. But I am as determined as a pit bull, so maybe I can wear him down? Besides, Amsterdam is a beautiful city, which I have drawn and painted on occasion. Tulip time is the time I have in mind. I do hope I'm not dreaming.
Hi Linda! Love the self portrait! Great job! It is well done skill wise and art wise! Of course I don't know you but it seems you captured so much of yourself in this work. Strong! Focused! Caring! Determined! And so much more! Bravo! Love the way you rendered "Johnny Depp!" Great post! Michael Who Is Waiting For The Newest Johnny Depp movie, "The Black Mass!" (Movie about Boston mobster Whitey Bulger) Filming now in Boston and surrounding area!
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Bravo Linda!!
ReplyDeleteYou did it! Congratulations on a wonderful self-portrait. I believe this is one of the best portraits you've done, so far, and it's definitely my favorite. Keep on learning and putting the knowledge to such good use!
Sincerely,
Gary.
Thanks Gary. It seems I owe Schmid. He has definitely been talking to me in words I understand. Of course his best words are ones we all know. It's the old joke: a tourist in New York stops a guy on the street and asks him the way to Carneige Hall. The guy says, " oh that's easy. Practice, practice, practice." And so I am. This one was weird though. It didn't start to become anything till I got away from the lines. For me lines are for drawings with paper and pencil. Drawing with paint is about shapes and dabs. I had to not let those lines stop me from crossing them.
DeleteFabulous skin tones Linda. Congrats on a great job. My fav part.... the reflections on the glasses.
ReplyDeleteThen I did a good job. It was the glasses and those reflections that made me paint this particular portrait. Thanks Julie. On to the next.
DeleteWay to go, Linda - your best portrait yet! Perhaps the line and mass block in is for you!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think so TILL I CROSSED THOSE LINES. It was an odd way for me to start. Took a while. Nagged at me. Break a leg at that show! Hugs.
DeleteI love the look on your face- forceful and determined!
ReplyDeleteI guess my expression is apropos for what I am doing this summer: learning to paint with oils with Schmid. catcher in The Rye was the best book of the last century. In the Art world, Richard Schmid's new edition of Alla Prima; Everything I Know About Painting is the must read book in this century. I read like a book promotion in the NY Times, but I am sold on this guy's know how.
DeleteThis is totally excellent....Congratulations! Wow...love love love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Celeste. you have got to read this book. It makes making art a practical exercise, hard work, to be practiced everyday. till Schmid, I was fooling around.
DeleteYour work with portraits is amazing, Linda. This self portrait is SO good and my favorite....The reflections in the glasses are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilda. It really was the reflections in the glasses I was painting. The skin tone though kept getting in the way. What is with those skin tones? A pesky lot of trouble. :-))
DeleteThis is coming along nicely. Like someone mentioned in last post, a sketch can be as good as a polished piece, but when to stop is the hard part, and you are the only one that can draw the line.
ReplyDeleteThis is it Roger. Finished. All I wanted out of this painting was those glasses. I gottem! On to the next. I am no longer interested in covering every inch of canvas with paint. The practice is too pat, too done, too static. As "they" say in show biz, always leave them wanting more.
DeleteBonjour,
ReplyDeleteJe suis subjuguée ! Merveilleux travail, mes félicitations.
♡ Gros bisous ♡
Thanks Martine. I am having a good time this summer refining my work methods with Schmid's input.
DeleteEen tijdje niet zo goed gehad dus weinig gereageerd maar het gaat weer beter heel mooi geworden Linda lieve groetjes Danielle
ReplyDeletehet is ook al een tijdje voor mij. Ik heb genoten van het zomerweer en pai Ting, schilderen, schilderen. het is al mooi. Ik heb ook zeuren mijn man om een reis naar Amsterdam te plannen. het Van Gogh Museum is echt mijn bestemming. Ik heb te lezen en bestuderen van hem. Hugs u Danille.
DeleteDanielle said it has been awhile since she commented, but things have straightened out. Nice painting. But not in those exact words. I said:
it's been a while for me too. i have been enjoying the summer weather and pai ting, painting, painting. it's been lovely. i've also been nagging my husband to plan a trip to Amsterdam. the Van Gogh Museum is really my destination. i have been reading and studying him too. Hugs to you Danille.
Definitely your best so far. Carry on at this rate and it will be you we are all studying!
ReplyDeleteI won't hold my breath, but thank you. Approaching painting analytically after years of painting as my mood moved me, is exactly what I needed at this time in life when going at it as a dabbler is no longer acceptable. I met a fabulous young painter who teaches at my alma mater art college and also the association I have patronized periodically over the years. His entries into the Michigan Fine Art Competition blew me away. As far as I was concerned, his painting was best of show. Unlike myself who leans towards the gestural style, his style is precise; he calls it contemporary realism. I think he has a lot to offer, for I definitely am at a point where I know for certain that to paint loosely, one must have mastered precision with color values and brushstrokes. I've taken steps to study with him late summer. I am very excited about it. I'm also excited about Schmid's latest book coming out in July. It goes into his techniques. I am particularly interested in his brushwork. I follow the form, of course, but with apprehension. I hope to shake this indecision and to learn what I want out of the different brushes. With Schmid, scumbling is a key approach.
DeleteI enjoyed catching up on your blog, Linda! I love this portrait! I just published on my blog some photo's I took of a recent visit to another Dutch museum with a Van Gogh collection, you may want to have a look. I hope you really visit Amsterdam one day, looking at Van Gogh's paintings in real life is an awesome experience!
ReplyDeleteJudy I know! Years ago, the Detroit Institute of Art had an extensive Van Gogh exhibit. I lived over there everyday it was here. I think that was the first time I saw The Potato Eaters and realized Vincent had painted traditionally before he let loose. Now I know a lot more about his admiration for Millet and have been trying to sell my husband on visiting Amsterdam, Bruges and Ghent. At the moment, my sale isn't going very well. But I am as determined as a pit bull, so maybe I can wear him down? Besides, Amsterdam is a beautiful city, which I have drawn and painted on occasion. Tulip time is the time I have in mind. I do hope I'm not dreaming.
DeleteBrilliant self portrait Linda. All the best
ReplyDeleteVic.
Thanks Victor. The same to you
DeleteHi Linda!
ReplyDeleteLove the self portrait! Great job! It is well done skill wise and art wise! Of course I don't know you but it seems you captured so much of yourself in this work. Strong! Focused! Caring! Determined! And so much more! Bravo!
Love the way you rendered "Johnny Depp!" Great post!
Michael Who Is Waiting For The Newest Johnny Depp movie, "The Black Mass!" (Movie about Boston mobster Whitey Bulger) Filming now in Boston and surrounding area!