Here are few more recent figure studies. I continue to enjoy this new challenge–although I think I’ll sneak in a landscape soon. This figure (sans mouth!) was done in about 10 minutes with a live model in Al Tofanelli’s class (at l’Atelier aux Couleurs). I like these quick studies–they force you to react quickly and focus on the fundamentals.
When I got back to the studio, I painted a couple more small quick ones (although, these are about an hour) from photos.
Figure Study (male), 6.25 x 6"
This one (and my previous self-portrait) reminded me that I should probably talk about my influences in figurative art. I’m seeking a sculptural quality, and trying to use color temperature and inventive color (although stable values) to create this new work.
Figure Study, Oil on Linen, 6.25 x 6.50"
I count two of my biggest influence Lucian Freud and Ann Gale. Both are wonderful draftsman (clearly needed to paint the figure), but there’s something very modern and sculptural about their work. I look to these contemporary painters for inspiration.
While this Lucian Freud work is terribly inventive in terms of color, it’s exaggeration of value and forum is something I really admire.
Lucian Freud, Reflection
You can see in Ann Gale’s work her form is somewhat distorted, although incredibly interesting. Look almost “pixelized”, doesn’t it? I really like her general restraint with color. When she does use it, it’s incredibly vibrant. You can see here how she sets up that vibrancy with a calm stage of neutrals grays.
Ann Gale, "Gary with Dark Wall"
So, while I continue to slog through the basics (which for me, is drawing the figure accurately), this is the direction I’m headed. Hopefully, these influences will help guide me to my own path and vision.
Still feeling really challenged by learning the figure. Reminds of a quote by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, “Do something every day that scares you.” I need this. I took snap shots as I progressed so I could review with my teacher Al Tofanelli (at l’Atelier aux Couleurs), so he could advise me. It’s interesting, I think a personal style in portraiture is emerging at a faster pace than landscape. Not sure why. Enjoy!
To prepare for studying the figure with Al Tofanelli (at l’Atelier aux Couleurs) I’ve been painting the figure from reference photos. It’s going to be so great to paint from live models Friday! I like painting the figure, it’s a real challenge, and I like to play with color. Mike has wonderful warm-violet skin tones. Once I laid in a solid drawing, I practically destroyed it early on with broad strokes of color (once you get a drawing right, don’t worry, you can paint over it…it will always come back).
When I showed this to Mike, he really liked it, but he had a funny observation. It reminded him of the frescos in Italy (and most recently, Turkey/Istanbul). The eyes of those figures are somewhat exagerated, as I think his might be here. No matter, I was going for that spark of life and happiness, so why not exaggerate a bit?
Mike, ala Pompei - Oil on Canvas - 10x8
Inspiration? Separated at birth? Here’s an example of a Pompeiii fresco that Mike thought of when he saw my painting. Smart man!
Pompeii, House VII, 2, 6: Paquius Proculus and his wife
This painting was done from a reference photo taken while staying with good friends in Lake Tahoe last summer. I’d painted this similar painting last year. While the figures are small in this painting, I spent a lot of time on them. The smallest errors in the figure really stand out, so it’s a great challenge (and I need that this year!).
Another image from Buena Vista Park. I took a picture of clear, afternoon light striking the Monterey Pines. I painted the same type of trees in this park in a high-key approach, and it’s interesting to compare the two. The technical approaches are very different. When I paint high-key, I tend to use a lot of paint, with fairly consistent texture on the canvas. A “full key” painting like this one starts with thin washes, and builds up to thicker passages. Enjoy!
Buena Vista Park, Late Afternoon - Oil on Linen - 12x9"
While painting this seascape the other night, I took snapshots of progress so I could create a demonstration video. I think the process I followed here is somewhat typical, but I always feel free to alter it to meet the needs of the moment. See my YouTube channel for more of my own demos, as well as those by Peggi Kroll-Roberts, John Ebersberger, Kevin Weckback, Mark Kerckhoff, and Skip Whitcomb. These are just vidoes I’ve taken myself, but I also have a more extensive list of demos in my “Plein Air Demos” playlist (over 60). If you have a demo on YouTube that you’d like added to my plein air demos playlist, leave a comment with the video URL. Thanks!
It’s been a turbulent few weeks, so I’ve not painted much.
Spoiler alert: this story does have a happy ending. Some of you may know I was diagnosed with cancer in July. I had a rare malignant tumor in my ear canal. After 2 painful operations–one that completely reconstructed my canal–I was told I still wasn’t in the clear. If you’ve gone through something like this, you know how it can make you re-assess life and your priorities. In fact, a similar health scare in 2000 is what propelled me into art. Without a clear end, I decided to get a third opinion, Dr. Jack Resneck at UCSF. In our first meeting I formed an opinion of him as a careful, thoughtful doctor. He believed the diagnosis was rare enough that a re-test of all my biopsies and tumor were in order. I got the good news the week before Thanksgiving: I didn’t have cancer! The growth was benign. I was relieved and pissed off at the same time, but thankful in the end that the treatment could end and I don’t have to worry about it. I’ve lost a bit of hearing in that ear, and have some scars, but I’ll take that over the alternative.
An hour after I got the good news (while at work) that my tumor was benign, I got a call from my husband, Mike: his mother was dying. Talk about a roller-coaster. We both left work right away, and we made it to her bedside less than 24 hours before she passed. It was very sad, but she’d been suffering for some time, and was ready. She was really terrific. We’ll miss her.
Amy Estrada, 1929-2009
And yes, there is finally a painting. I’m trying to get life back to normal.
This was done from a reference photo of Avila Beach, while I was there painting for San Luis Obispo Plein Air this year. The “golden hour” light was striking the rocks like fire. It was quite a site. Enjoy!
Cliffs at Avila Beach (Golden Hour), Oil on Canvas, 8x10
I received a nice note today from the “Friends of Hearst Castle“, inviting me to be one of 25 artists chosen to participate in their 2nd annual plein air invitational! A percentage from the sale of the art benefits Friends of Hearst Castle’s artreach program for under-served youth at-risk. Here’s a web page with images from last year’s event.
I’ll be painting there May 12, 13 and the show is June 5, 2010. I’ll post more information as it becomes available. I assume you can visit the landmark the two days I’m painting there to watch, but will confirm in January.
Jerry Wheeler was my best friend in high school. I remember we met on the back steps of the band room for my first ever class at Cypress High, which was “beginning jazz band” in summer school. As I recall, the first song was “Down Home”. I’d never played jazz before, but knew I had to try it. We had a great time in band together the following 3 years.
While I did develop well as a musician in school, I had serious doubts about making a living, so I went for the big bucks: Computer Science. In 1979, that was pretty early. Jerry stuck with music, and today is a great performer.
I’d been thinking about Jerry lately, since I was to see him perform this week, after 20 years away living in the Bay Area. In looking through his photos on Facebook, I found one taken by his friend Jeannen Calvin that really spoke to me. I think of Jerry’s connection to music, whether playing trombone or singing, as deep and spiritual. Although it’s a great joy, I know it’s also something that he’s spent a great deal of time perfecting. He makes it look easy.
After 20 years in high-tech, and splitting my time now between social media marketing and art, in a way, I’ve come full circle. Although I did enjoy my tech career, there’s nothing like art—and today, for me it’s not playing the trombone, it’s painting. I hope this painting brings together those two passions: the performer in Jerry, and the painter in me.
The Entertainer (Jerry Wheeler), Oil on Canvas, 12x9
Buena Vista Park’s recent “remodel” is complete! It’s great. They’ve added lots of new walkways, wooden bridgets and stairs. A friend of mine (Eric W) is a regular volunteer at the park, and should take some credit (thank you, Eric!). It’s a really beautiful place.
I painted this from a reference photo. The sun was setting through the trees, and since the photo was over-exposed, it actually made good reference for a relatively “high key” painting. If you’re a regular reader, you know I’ve been exploring this method. I’m finding it really helpful to fine tune my understanding of value and color temperature.
Faint Sunset (Buena Vista Park), Oil on Canvas, 12x9
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