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| Roy Wright, oil, 6" x 8"; Two Hour Oil Challenge #2; reference photo by Sharon Wright |
My son and his family checked out and went back home across the country; our house is ours again.
Ellis and I spent the last couple of days putting things back in order--stripping beds, washing linens and towels, emptying the frig of stuff you only stock for a crowd not yet concerned about nutrition or health--with that done, the challenge Sharon and I have taken on got me back down to the studio anxious to try another fast portrait in oil.
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| Reference photo by Sharon Wright |
I reread Richard Schmid's descriptions of the various starts and decided the Full Color Accurate Block-In was best suited to me. It allowed me to draw, albeit lightly, on the untoned canvas and was conservative with paint on the get-go to allow drawing corrections along the way. So, that's how I started Roy.
Hour two, my impatience stepped in and the brushstrokes became full fledged brushstrokes, not scumble scribbles. An accurate likeness was no longer important. My color mixings became frenzied and Roy became Any Guy. While likeness suffered, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I'm grateful to Sharon for having thought of this.
Good shot! Even though you say that a likeness became unimportant, I can see Roys' nose, that look in his eye and his gentle spirit shines through, What is also evident is your enjoyment!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful exercise. Sorry I jumped the gun on publishing on Sundays,but I was anxious to try it again. I do like limitations. I still need to exercise more control with the paint.
Deletewhat a good idea, to set up a challenge with a painting pal. This painting came out great---you definitely got a resemblance and it has wonderful energy. I am tuned in to see what you do next. :)
ReplyDeleteThe challenge is a lot like running with a buddy every morning. Each encourages the other. It's just what I needed.
DeleteSounds like you are having such fun with this idea. I would love to watch you work, especially after you get past that 1st hour mark, and impatience kicks in.
ReplyDeleteKathryn
I believe that "broken is broken" when it comes to stuff breaking around the house. I always try to fix it myself before calling in a repair guy. It sort of applies to painting. You start out systematically toning the background or not, 'drawing' in the image with a brush, but best done with a rag and then set about painting in the darks, mid tones, lights and highlights--all done quite systematically. The more color I lay down carefully, the more annoyed I become at the inadequacy of my brushstrokes to be right on in pressure and/or wetness that's when all hell breaks loose and I just go at it with no idea what I'm doing, all rules out the window. That's when painting becomes fun when thinking stops and intuition takes over. You ought to try oils--or more up your alley--paint wet into wet. The accidents bring a painting to life. They energize. It's sort of like painting till you fail and then with nothing to lose, you win. All my reading and the Venetian class constipated me--understandable when you know DeKooning is my hero.. I'm a realistic painter, but very loosely.
DeleteHello Linda! This is your old art buddy, Michael! Do you remember me? I am sorry I haven't been commenting on your wonderful art lately! I am still out there checking out your blog and your fantastic work. My shoulder is still an issue. Doing some painting but very frustrating. Take care of yourself and thanks for posting all your beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteMichael
The shoulder takes precedence . The knee I haven't replaced is giving me trouble, so I know what you're going through. Ice packs fill my freezer drawer and are used frequently these last days. We will overcome these inconveniences and be back at the easel when we're able. Take good care of yourself Michael.
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