Boiling down the essence of expressions is an instinct I think most artists resist. We are often trained to focus on detail and realism. Focused observation can reveal hints of emotion and even exact emotions, but so does a photograph. Perhaps, letting go of the real and just allowing the heart to express what it … Continue reading Portrait Project Four – The Essence of Emotion
Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
I didn't intentionally start with this pallet, but the first colour down was black, then a rich raw-sienna. It felt like the rest should stay in the earthy tones. Everything from that point forward was umber-like. I added a little teal to one cheek to give a little tension and it ended up all over … Continue reading Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
Portrait Project Two – Finding a love of Grayscale
I felt compelled to try a more monochrome portrait here. I just adore the emotions and tensions offere3d in grayscale. It feels cinematic and gothic. I feel this one is a great success of tone and expression. I plan on playing more with this palette. Subject: I have to give credit to my inspiration for … Continue reading Portrait Project Two – Finding a love of Grayscale
Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
In my ongoing attempt to overcome my discomfort with portraiture, I decided to do the part I really love... painting faces from imagination. First, I have to give credit to my inspiration for the next few paintings: Juan Martinez Parente. He found me on Pinterest and I've fallen in love with the faces he paints. … Continue reading Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
Self-Portrait Project 4 – I only see myself in my eyes
Again moving the selfie around to get different dimensions of my face... I managed to distort my perception enough o almost lose myself completely. I still see my eyes. I heard once that all portraitists paint something of themselves into every portrait they paint. This comes from the hours spent observing themselves to practice painting. … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project 4 – I only see myself in my eyes
Self-Portrait Project 3 – Looking into my own eye for a memory
I flipped and moved the focal point of one of my selfies to give myself a good staring into my own eye. I needed to see something there... something I was expressing. Without my glasses on my eyes often look very sleepy, old, and tired. But inside I feel very young and curious, especially when … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project 3 – Looking into my own eye for a memory
Self-portrait project 2 – How I feel when painting the unfamiliar.
I warped the selfie on my phone for the model on this one. I observed it for a few minutes and then painted from memory. As soon as the outlines went down on paper I was aware that I was channelling feelings about my age. I couldn't figure out why I let my nose remain … Continue reading Self-portrait project 2 – How I feel when painting the unfamiliar.
Self-portrait project 1 – The first selfie
The Winter semester of my painting course will be focusing on portraiture. I must admit that this frightens me greatly. I don't like staring at my own face, much less staring into the eyes of another to paint them. I'm also not a fan of realism in any sense. So, this challenge has many levels … Continue reading Self-portrait project 1 – The first selfie
Still Life Project 2020 – In Hindsight
This project brought me highs and lows. There were days I didn't want to continue painting and got bored of the subject... That's when I challenged myself the most... first to reconsider compositions and then to reconsider materials (or how I was going to use them). I'm glad this project is over. I don't know … Continue reading Still Life Project 2020 – In Hindsight
Warped Two – I gotta move on from this now…
I've added some yellows, deepened the blacks, touched up spots with whites, and lined in some outlines... am I satisfied? No. I can't decide what to add or if I've already gone too far. I'be been staring at this composition in one form to another for over three m months now and I am frankly … Continue reading Warped Two – I gotta move on from this now…
The New Renaissance Mindset 