I've had this one simmering inside my head for a long time. Have you ever felt something so deeply but haven't known how to give it voice? It was vital that this idea didn't fall into typical or obvious cliche. I've been thinking and collecting images that offered possibilities to support this concept and so far have come up with this.
I began with several photo references, concentrating on shape and gesture. I made a detailed sketch and scanned it in.
Next I placed one of my favorite textures over the sketch and did some erasing to allow the sketch to come through the multiplied layer.
Started painting, taking my time. I play with it every morning before working on my current commission. I have several ideas for the background but will have to see which supports the concept the best.
Well, timer just buzzed.....off to work.
8 comments:
Excellent. Very beautiful piece.
Thank you for your comment Rachel.
This is so good, and so inspiring to me! Yes, I know exactly what you mean about having something to express but not sure how to go about it. Your process really intrigues me on this piece. What do you mean by adding the texture over top of the drawing. What medium did you use for the colors? I love it!
Thank you Katherine. For now, I'm playing around on a scanned pencil sketch in Photoshop. I have different textures that I've scanned in to create interest, sort of like toning your canvas to get rid of all that white. The dress is from a pattern I found some place that I changed with filters in PS and then put it over my sketch in a multiplied layer. Hope this helps. BTW,you have some beautiful colored pencil work on your blog. Lovely.
I've just recently discovered your work through Crystal Cook and I am so in love! I love the fact that you started late - I'm one of those 20 somethings that thought I was WAY too late to the game too, until I realized it's my life, and I'm never too late to change it. So I applaud you for chasing your dreams and inspiring others to realize it's NEVER too late to chase down your dreams. Your work is lovely - I am particularly enchanted with this painting, especially the very 1st version for some reason. The crispness, the clarity and the beauty of the organic shapes draping over and down her body are perfection! You have beautiful work and I can't wait to see more and more of it in the future! =) Happy painting!
Hi Melissa. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words. I hope you do return, especially when I have done more work on this piece. My fingers are itching to paint it. Wishing you the best with your art. Thanks again.
Kim, this is beautiful. I love the idea of having a painting that you work on a bit at a time as a bit of a warmup. Keeps you interested and excited about it, knowing that you aren't going to stare at it for 8 hours... Plus, the visual break likely helps spot issues quickly, avoiding lengthy repaints. It also keeps the energy of 'play' to the piece. We far to often overlook play as a serious and invaluable part of our creative process. Nobody starts drawing as a child to develop discipline and good work habits. We draw and paint because its fun, and we want to play. Finding ways to maintain this in our work as a professional is crucial.
I'm a big fan of the explorative nature of this piece as well. I am a planner, and it's hard for me to let go of that and just wait and see where a piece wants to go. I tend to do studies, and studies, and when I finish those, I do a study. I have a piece in the works that would benefit from both of these processes, and I am glad I came across your blog and read this post. Thanks!!
Seth Greenwald
Thanks, Seth. You make such valid points. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts here. I especially like the part about why we draw as children. So true. Thanks for stopping by.
Post a Comment