New Pics

Finished a few new paintings and posted them to the site.

Live Portriat Drawing at the Clark

I have been invited by The Clark Art Institute to be an onsite artist for their winter party: Picture Yourself at the Clark.

This event celebrates the opening of Giovanni Boldini in Impressionist Paris, the artist's first exhibition outside of Europe in over 20 years.

I am delighted to have been asked to set up my easel and draw portraits of guests "a la Paris streets circa 1880"

The event is on February 13, from 6-8pm, at the Clark.  If you are attending, please stop by for a sketch.
If not, I'll be sure to post some pics.

Tweaking in the New Year

I added some subtle touches to "Justice" and think it is much better now.  I gave it an all over tweak.  I made the hand "hold" the skull better by eliminating the heavy outline where they meet.  I added some extra highlights to the iris and lids to "sparkle" a bit more.  I also solidified and rendered the pages a bit more and added some warm tones from the reflection of the hand.  I also repainted the hand - for the 4th time, and I'll leave it at that.

I also tweaked "Trinity" and am really happy with the way it looks now.
A new painting is already in the bag for 2010.   I am focusing on the application of the paint and building structure/form through my brush strokes.  I'm taking a page from Shawn Barber's notes.
After I finish 3-4 I'll start uploading them.

some changes...

I have tentatively finished this portrait,

"Justice."  24" x 36"
I'm not thrilled with the hand holding the books.  It is popping out too much.  Too many warm tones in the shadows. I think the pages directly below the hand need to be brighter too, maybe that will offset some of the tones.....

I'll let it breathe for a little while.

Lately I have been re-working some of my existing pieces.  I re-painted the faces on a few pictures ("Caity", and both faces on "Becoming"), and have tweaked colors.  I guess I wasn't satisfied with them. 

some old gems...

Found these images while doing some cleaning of the ol' hardrive.

these were all done in 1999, with the exception of "Lake Champlain" which was done in 2004. All are Caran-D'ache oil crayons on black board.

from the top " Wahconah Falls" - Stockbridge Bowl" - "Lenox in Fall" -"Lake Champlain" - "Mt. Greylock" - "Bash Bish Falls"

Murder

The crows are beginning to gather again.
I am about to start another Murder.

12 at least.

There is something so sinister about it.
Such amazing creatures...

These will be posted.
I am getting them ready for an upcoming show at the Ferrin Gallery

UPDATE ** here they are:

palettes and tone

Basic:

Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium Red (light)
Alizarin Crimson
Sap Green
Manganese Blue
Ivory Black
Titanium White

French Ultramarine is an excellent addition, as is Naples Yellow and Raw Umber.

I often put down washes of Raw Sienna to tone the canvas.
On top of a white ground, the Sienna creates a very warm glow.
With a few dabs of the color on the canvas, drizzle turpentine and brush the color all over the canvas - very loosely. The thinner the paint, the quicker it will dry.

After covering the canvas, take a cloth and drag it across the canvas, all in the same direction.
When complete, drag the cloth in the other direction. This will remove excess paint and create a uniform surface. All brush strokes should be eliminated.

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p.s. The large canvas is still in the works. I had to stop and really consider supporting the structure before I stretch it.

So instead I stretched a 32"x48" - this one might be "Marla". I have a session with her tonight.