Monotype - Figures in the Ink - 6

Another monotype print...

This one actually took a bit to come together. I spent a lot of time playing with the various watercolors in the background and around the figure.

I have been told by some of my friends that they get a Native American Chief vibe from this because of the headdress looking form on the left figure. I actually only planned the two figures and that "headdress" form was an attempt to focus attention on that figure. The second figure was almost lost completely on the initial print. Its just part of the joy and serendipity of creating Monotype Prints.

Pietà Cast

"If the saints deserved dulia or 'veneration,' Mary must deserve hyperdulia or 'supreme veneration.'"
~ Paul L. Williams

This is a cast painting of the Pietà. I'm pretty sure its not like the Michelangelo one, as the veil Mary is wearing looks different.

Male Nude

"Know the masculine, keep to the feminine."
~ Lao Tzu

This is a male nude done with a 25 minute pose. I love the mood of this drawing... There is also a great spontaneity in the drawing itself.

Self Portrait, Full

"Adults are obsolete children."
~ Dr. Seuss

This is a large drawing in oil pastels, almost life size. I like how the hair looks like I just woke up.

Everyone comments about the background in this one. How whimsical and fun it is and how serious I look in the forground. My goal was to try and juxtapose how I draw now with what my drawings looked like when I was 8. So I guess I was fairly sucessful.

Self Portrait

"Art must take reality by surprise."
~ Francoise Sagan

Here is another self portrait I painted. This painting actually shows a lot of the process to that painting. Looking at the shadows, you can see the burnt umber under painting coming through. In the shirt and neck you can see the black and white dead painting.

Linda Our Instuctor

"A good artist has less time than ideas."
~ Martin Kippenberger

Linda was our trainer on the second day of the training. I actually like the two figures in this picture. Both have a good feel to them.

Gaysone

"Every good artist paints what he is."
~ Jackson Pollock

Another watercolor from a meeting on Monday, April 4th. I like the feeling of this one. I get a really stark cold feeling that is kind of neat.

Mike at a Training Meeting

"A human being is not, in any proper sense, a human being till he is educated." ~ Horace Mann

More time spent in training for work. At least I'm able to get some drawing time in. This is Mike. I have substituted for him a few times for his case out in Ewa Beach. We were both at this meeting for the same reason: 40 CEU (Continuing Education ???) Basically, we have to do 40 hours of additional training per year. It's not hard, just a hurdle. I am told this requirement may be lowered for the next year. Just as I plan to leave. I really like how Mike's shirt came out in this painting. It actually looks very dynamic.

Man Discretely Checking his Cell Phone

"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions."
~ Pablo Picasso

So I spent this weekend in a training meeting for work. As normal, I take the opportunity to get some good drawing time in. So here we have a fellow co-worker getting in some serious cell phone time. He was trying to be discrete by using his body and the table as a wall, but he obviously was on it for sometime as I was able to complete a candid drawing of him.

There are a lot of good details in this painting. I love how the t-shirt came out. I have been trying to be more careful with the watercolor pencil recently. When I return to an unfinished piece, the burnt sierra just takes over the drawing sometimes. I may have to switch to a lighter color for the initial sketches. Possibly a yellow ocher, as it will make for a hearty initial sketch and allow for more expression in the watercolor.

Danielle Listening to Her Playlist

"Music heard so deeply that it isn't heard at all, but you are the music while the music lasts." ~ T.S. Eliot

So in a grand romantic gesture, Danielle and I decided to make a mixed playlist for one another. I recommended this after seeing her collection of mixed CD's in her car. We both have similar music taste, so it seemed like a fun activity.

While she was listening to my playlist I did a quick sketch of her. I think this watercolor came out very nice. I went back to more classic techniques blocking in everything with a pencil instead of a watercolor pencil. In most every watercolor I've posted here, I started them with a Burnt Sienna watercolor pencil to block in everything. It leads to a rich color in the finished painting but sometimes it becomes a little dominate. I really am going to try and be more sparing in my initial drawings.