Life Plein Air

I’ve recently started focusing on the figure, and am having fun with the various approaches that are possible.  This little slide show shows the range of ideas I am exploring.

This QuickTime version is much better quality than YouTube, so if you can play QuickTime, try it. Otherwise, here’s the video on YouTube:

Saint Ignatius is a San Francisco landmark in the Western Addition.  The school was founded in 1855, moved several times, and was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. The building in this painting was built in 1914.  Today, it’s the University of San Francisco.

The building is well lit at night, and because it’s on a hill, is visible from many vantage points in the city. When I walk Gracie in Buena Vista Park across from the street from our home, this church is a glowing sentinel.  This view was painted from a photo taken between sunset and dusk.  It’s at this time (before the lights come on) that the steeples just get a beautiful reflection from the setting sun.  Enjoy!

Saint I's from Buena Vista Park, Oil on Linen, 6x8

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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.

I was actually quite distracted that day, but managed to get some work done (I was in the news last week as I represented Wells Fargo in social media, related to a PR fire.  I’m now known as the “Male White Banker” on the Huffington Post ).

Quick Figure Study (female)

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!

Self-Portrait, Oil on Linen, 12x10"

And here’s the video on YouTube

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

Last year I was inching back to a focus on the figure, and it’s now official!  This will be my focus in 2010: the figure alone, in interiors and in the landscape.  Starting next week, I’m will start studying weekly with Al Tofanelli (Fridays, 9am-1pm at l’Atelier aux Couleurs in Petaluma).  My workshop with Peggi Kroll-Roberts last year re-invigorated my interest.

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!).

Enjoy, your feedback/critique always appreciated!

Tahoe Swim, Oil on Linen, 12x16

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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"

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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!

California Coast, Oil on Canvas, 9x12

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Video

California Coast Painting Demonstration

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

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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.

It should be fun.  I’ve driven by the historic landmark numerous times, but never been on the property.  Do you have any tips?  What do you like most about Hearst Castle?

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.