Peonies start

-


I got a little overly ambitious this afternoon, and started a rather complicated 12x 16" floral composition. The blooms are in the refrigerator as I speak, and I will do my best to tie this together tomorrow afternoon. My teacher has commented a couple times on how he likes how boldly I approach things. Perhaps a little too boldly sometimes ;) Though, I guess I don't know how I'll ever overcome the hurdles I have to climb if I cower in fear at the possibility of failure. Go bold or go home.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Another progress post

-
Image
I've been working on this little painting copy the past few days when I get a chance. If you know much about current artists, I'm sure you recognize this one immediately ;) My copy isn't perfect--the drawing's a little off here and there, and goodness, I'm having a hard time matching the greenish hues in his grays--I want to make everything more warm. But I'm learning so much copying this. There's something very different about gazing at a painting with the intent of recreating the effect and then actually trying to do it, versus just gazing at a painting. He is very careful about the temperature of each brushstroke--it's a constant play between warm and cool, muted and more saturated (though really, almost everything is so beautifully muted to a degree). Also, there are very few flat color shapes. It's as though each brush of paint is half-mixed, creating so much variety within what would appear to be very small, simple shapes. I also love ...
Read more

Portrait of Corey from structure class

-
Image
I was pretty happy with how the likeness developed on this one (is it just me or are bearded men always easier to draw?). I'm also loving the focus on form in this class. We talked quite a bit about form light and highlight and how those things are related (or not so much related). Form is an area that I need some definite guidance, so I'm really glad I'm taking this class.
Read more

Spring is Here!

-
Image
It was 78 degrees the other day, and I have to say, it was quite a shock to my system--I guess I just don't know how to not be cold after this eternal winter :) As far as art goes, my mantra this year has been to paint small and often, taking all the pressure off of the process and the outcomes. Sometimes I have these grand ambitions for painting, and dive into some overwhelming project head first. I'm not saying this is bad. It's not. It's an excellent thing to do, and makes returning to the simpler work so gratifying and liberating. However, it is possible to get burnt out, and I think that's what happened with me last year. I spent much too long laboring over a massive canvas that in the end, I felt less than confident about. And honestly, in my little heart of hearts, it felt like a waste of a year. Not that it was. It wasn't. It just felt that way. All this to say, I'm having fun with my painting these days. Painting when I feel like painting. Doing som...
Read more