DONE!

Had the hardest time photographing this with the galkyd finish but this is the best I have for now. Honestly, I'm so tired of looking and accessing and redoing that I'm sort of numb when I look at it. I feel good about completing a goal but not sure how successful I've been in communicating my feelings through the painting.

Here is the explanation for "Antiphon":
An “Antiphon” is a term used for a “call and response” style of singing. Its application here expresses the spiritual interaction between God and His children through prayer. This antiphonic duet becomes a continual harmonic exchange when both heed the supplication of the other, including God’s call to make known His wondrous “song of redeeming love”. The woman is portrayed both singing as well as listening. With eyes closed, the worldly distractions that would deter her from hearing God’s response are diminished. The stained glass represents the veil separating us from our Creator. The distortion of the glass obscures our vision but God’s light illuminates our paths to truth.


On to the next project.

Nearing The Finish Line

Haven't posted for some time. Been sort of consumed with this and other projects. After some deep reflection and honest appraisal of my other idea for this, I ended up starting from scratch and doing it using the mediums I feel more confident with. I simplified it too and closed her eyes, hoping, by so doing, I have conveyed the feeling that not only is she singing; she is listening too.
After sketching it out, I put down a layer of matte medium. On top of that I started putting down opaque gouache washes of the general color masses. Then I put down layers of Prismacolor Nupastel, lighting and darkening the shapes. Then on top of that, I started putting in the details in with my old faithful Prismacolors. I have now put down two layers of matte medium and will follow with oil glazes. Must be finished by Thursday.
For some reason, using colors that I can see right before my eyes, removes the "mystery" of color mixing and it's application. I wonder if something is wrong with my brain.

Antiphon Continued

Here is the painting with all the highlights lifted out of the gouache.
Looks kinda wacky but there's something liberating about this. You simply ignore the lines.

Next, you lay down oil glazes, contrasting warm and cool colors.

Lift the oil out. This goes much faster than the gouache phase.
Now on to the opaque part. Finger's crossed.

Antiphone: Take two

My oil painting was going no where...boring. Zzzzzz. It was not capturing what I wanted to say about that moment in one's life when you become aware of God's presence in your life and the life-long melodic exchange that begins at that pivotal event. Began again after watching a video by Robert Barrett.
Already, I like the life that this approach has infused into my humble attempt at this concept. I should have watered the gouache a tad more but I'm going to continue and see where it takes me.

Antiphon - First Layer of Oil

Excuse the glare. This is very rough. I'm trying to be aware of temperature changes as the light travels across the planes of the form. I'm also hoping this painting can be less tight. Want to be freer with the application.That's the plan.

Antiphon

Work up for painting due in Oct. I did the sketch, scanned it in and then played around with different backgrounds and values.

Drew sketch on to gessoed 24"x 30" panel. Will do under painting in acrylic and then apply oils. This is when the sweaty palms commence. Blast!

Personal Project #2- Antiphon Sketch

An antiphon a call and response style of music, usually sung in Gregorian chant, to a psalm or some other part of a religious service. Call and response. A song of prayer. One that stresses the need to either blend or harmonize one's voice with the Source. The pages of the hymnal are blank as I search for the melodies to lead me forward toward the Voice.