Charcoal on Paper - Master copy from Scott Burdick
Haven't posted much on the blog lately, but I have definitely been busy working away at my easel. It's a balancing act: the work I'm am producing is very "illustration style/ nearing a stylized cartoon" on Mondays and Wednesdays, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are very realistic and traditional. In some ways I wish I could just keep working in the style that I want to, but bouncing back and forth really makes me take a step back and understand why I put paint down the way I do, where I simplify for a "cartoon" vs where I simplify for a "technical" portrait, what colors I can stress in one style vs what colors are necessary for another. It's actually really great! And there are definitely transitional principals for both styles: I've been more aware of my shapes (to simplify!!!) and even more aware of my value patterns! It's been great! Among all these paintings, too, i've been gathering a lot of photo materials lately--the photo shoots have been great! Thanks to everyone who helps out! The last month I have been working on two illustrations (seems like a long time, but the assignment process is slow--especially slower than when I make art on my own time.) The first is from the prompt "Baa Baa Black Sheep," and the second is a figurative narrative illustration "Cowboy & the Indian." Both of these pieces are in Gouache on Illustration Board. It has been my first time working in Gouache, and it definitely serves me a challenge!!! Transitioning from a very workable, transparent or opaque oil paint to gouache which is only opaque and dries within a matter of seconds (aka not workable and not mixable on the canvas/board) is sometimes overwhelming. I'm working through it and learning the medium though! It definitely has it's own unique characteristics! More to come! Enjoy!
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| "Baa Baa Black Sheep" |
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| "Cowboy & The Indian" |
Wow! Let me tell you I learned 100x more than I normally do painting today!
Why? Well, finally, the day I've longed for--today I painted a portrait study from life! I've painted my fair share of still lifes from life, and have had my hand at plain air occasionally, but never a portrait. I love painting portraits!!! I can't tell you the difference it made having the model right in front of me though. (Rather than just a small photo in my left hand.) This piece doesn't look like much, but it has potential. We had about an hour and twenty minutes from start to finish. This was my result. It's definitely not as tight and clean as the paintings I normally try to do, but it is a study, unfinished, in the works--and my first! I'm so excited for what else this class has to offer! The other students are hilarious and great to be with, and the professor is awesome! Definitely more life studies to be posted! :) Stay tuned!
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| 11x14 Oil on Canvas --Life study |
The paintings from this weekend? They're coming. Until then, I just spent a few hours in the art building here at school, working some thumbnails for a new illustration. This is the very beginnings to my paintings. This is what I do before I even photograph. I guess you could call it brainstorming. :) Off to class to turn them in! Enjoy!
I know I need to stop taking photos with my phone, but I wanted to post tonight. Here is my work from just this evening. This is about a 3 hour study of my grandpa. :) Check back again tomorrow night! Enjoy!
Although I adore working in oils, sometimes a switch up is nice. Here's my hand at pastels.
Also! Moving out of my studio of 10+ years today and into the new one! It's a melancholy feeling let me tell you, but I'm so excited to start working in the larger space (as long as i'm home in California at least!) Here's to the memories:
"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work." -Emile Zola
I'm still here! Promise.
This semester my easel has been seriously neglected, but I have so many ideas to tackle once the holidays come!! Ideas have been flooding. Even better, my next semester includes three studio classes where I can really work! (Two of them I will even paint in!!!)
I was thrilled to find the project list on the syllabus for a new class next semester! Here is just one project i'm excited about for example:
Project No.1 (in-class)•Narrative Illustration:
For many students this project is their first painting experience and will be a little intimidated. All painting media are initially difficult, but gouache, particularly polymer based, is probably the simplest to learn. We will approach this process in a direct painting process working from dark to light.
In tonal painting it is necessary to understand that value is the most powerful design element and color is subject to this element, therefore, this project will initially focus on value patterns and design relationships.
We will begin with a brief study on shooting photo reference (you need to learn to paint from photo reference). You will learn to light your models with simple single direction lighting (initially it’s best to avoid flat lighting—it is hard to paint).
Project Description.Using a single figure in a simple environment tell a narrative story. All images must include the full-figure. Keep backgrounds simple—emphasis is on the figure, particularly the expressions of the face. Carefully design the models gesture to describe emotion.
So exciting--right?!
Now, I haven't been totally neglecting my "art" this semester . . . just my usual medium (Oil Paint.) Lately, i've been working on three-dimensional compositions, designs, (Some dealing with architectural design!), and structures. This is all for my 3D design class. My tools, although I miss my brushes, now included saws, drills, a welder, sanders (not a fan), and crazy other tools I don't even know the names of!
My latest project i'm finishing up (see the picture above) is made from soft copper.
The assignment was to create a sculpture with planar design. I chose to create leafs as my "planes," and i'm constructing them together as a hanging sculpture from a block of wood to create a very "free-flowing" design. I'll post another picture to this post once I finish.
Enjoy! :)
It's been over a month since I last posted, mostly due to the fact that I am back at school. This is my small setup in my apartment. Hopefully I get create some great things from it!
(7/28/2011)
I'm the first to say that I don't sketch as well as i'd like to. I do sketch before every painting though, and when I do it's fast and simple. No shading, sometimes no contours, just shapes, shapes, shapes! These are some sketches in my trusty little sketchbook, however. They were quick too, but more "fancy." (i.e. shading, contours . . . et cetra.) You can see that I try to use a pencil like a brush full of paint. Hehe! Enjoy! I will post again tonight! (Maybe a new painting, most likely a progess post, possibly just a post of old paintings.)
