This is a big 'un, at 16" x 20" with a 2" cradle (meaning the panel is 2" deep, and I've painted or extended the composition around all four sides), and not the sort of sized painting I would normally tackle in one day. I actually had to purchase larger paint brushes so that I could properly lay down the lower most layers (I work from big, sloppy marks upwards to tinier, tighter ones). So today I focused mainly on getting my values correct (the measurement of light vs dark spaces). The key part of this composition is that pocket of sunlight on the horses' spine and withers - and if I can't get that right, I might as well pack it in. I kid you not when I say that this painting dallied in "the uglies" for quite some time. It took me many hours to get to this point (and I already had a day's worth of work invested, too), but I am finally happy with the density of my darks and the saturation of the lights. And now I can focus on the form of muscles and finessing the edges of the horses' shape. And moving into working with those smaller brushes that I normally paint with. But I did have to first turn the painting upside down in order to "see" it properly. This is a great trick that fools my eye into seeing just the plains of color instead of the forms themselves. Removed from the object, the horse's neck and shoulder now become something completely different, and I can measure (via squinting down) whether I have properly painted them. Back to the easel in the morn! Meanwhile, thanks, as always, for supporting my artwork! Kim PS We're in the homestretch here with respect to this month's 10% newly booked commissions. The project has to be booked during this January, but can happen any time during 2011. Shoot me an email if you are interested! I booked 9 new portraits last week - let's see if we can't match that this one!!
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"Tabby Kit," 5" x 7", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a tiny little orange striped guy from Morgue File . This painting can be yours for $289, which includes s&h inside the US. And in case you didn't see it, a little doodle of him is also available for sale here . Inquires may come directly to me . Although it certainly doesn't FEEL like spring here (snow and ice and wind chills, brr!), I can tell that spring is coming. The mercury is rising a wee bit each day and the days are getting longer and brighter. Over the weekend we drove with the moonroof open just to feel the sun's meager and oh-so-very-welcome warmth (although the heat in the car was cranked, too, in the interest of full disclosure!). I wanted to work with spring-like colors today, and this little guy was still on my mind , so I grabbed a small panel and got to work. Of course, I also have Poppy to finish and some changes to make to another po
Hard to imagine that this ever had the 'uglies'! I like the trick of turning the painting upside down. Another one is to look at it in the mirror. And, yes - tenacity! Oh, so very true! Thanks for the great reminder!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, yes, a mirror is another great trick! :) Happy painting - Kim
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