Large Painting #4 - Day 1

Figures #4 - Day 1, Oil on Canvas, 72"x 48", 2017. 

This is the fourth of the 5 paintings that I'm working on for my thesis,

Working from the clay models then translating them into a painting has been very productive.

I am working from a few small study drawings that lead me to this image. Standing in front of the 6 foot image the half figure is a little less interesting and reading very zombie movie. The distortions of the figures im trying to make them look less gory more that is an intrinsic state of the figure.

Today I toned the canvas with Cadmium Red then worked in Raw Umber for the initial under painting.

I think tomorrow im going to start on the dead palette.

Il Papa

Il Papa, 9"x12", watercolor on paper. 2017.

Got a commission from a friend to do a watercolor for his mother's birthday.  It is a pretty straight- forward picture of the pope. This was an easy commission, given my Catholic upbringing.

It's photo-based so there is not a lot to write about. I did make an active effort to make the pools of watercolor rhythm across the page. My illustrator skills are getting stronger.

I did get to see Pope Francis last year when he was in New York. I do like the general change of direction he represents. Plus, he's a Jesuit and St Francis is a great namesake AND the subject of an amazing Bellini painting.

“In the face of unjust and painful situations, 

faith brings us the light which scatters the darkness.”

Pope Francis

Anatomical Drawing Long Pose - Day 3

Anatomical Drawing #1 - Reign and Dave, 18"x 24", Graphite on Paper, 2017

Day three of the long pose is all about details.

Dan Thompson's lesson today was all about the knee so it felt only right to focus on the knees of the models. This drawing is great for comparative purposes. There is a lot of difference between the male and female model's knees.

There is balancing act  between what is there observationally and what should be there. The puzzle of observing a body and relating it to a theoretical system individual to the artist. Keeping it interesting is always the challenge of these poses.

Before class next week I hope to get the background nailed in.

Large Painting 3 - Day 5

Figure 03, 6'x4' Oil on Linen, 2017 

Currently working on this painting, but finalized the external space of the figure. Now gotta re- emphasize the figure. Should be a couple days of work.

"More of me comes out when I improvise."
Edward Hopper

Master Class - Lou Marinaro - Day 2

So after Day 2 of the Master Class by Lou Marinaro, I spent a little longer with the sculpture I was working on and really like the results.

My first impression after this experience was learning how difficult it is photographing sculptures. The strength and quality of the light effect the sculpture in really different ways. I have a new appreciation for how difficult a job this is. I mean, take the pair of photographs below as an example.

I really am not sure which one is objectively better. This becomes all the more complicated once I run the photograph through Photoshop. 

The other pictures are other views of the sculpture before I alter it to make a painting from it. I am thinking of adding another half armature to this sculpture. I am excited to get moving further on the project.

"The longer you look at an object, 
the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real."
~ Lucian Freud

Master Class - Lou Marinaro - Day 1

30" Plasticine Sculpture

On of the best master Classes I attended last year was from Lou Marinaro. His knowledge and understanding of Anatomy is infectious and he explains thing so well.  This year there was an opportunity to not only take the class again, but to severe as a TA and I jumped at the opportunity.

The class toggled between sculpture and systematic talking about muscle groups of the body. Lou divided the body like something out of Butcher Shop 101, talking about individual sections and the muscle skeletal interaction that define that location.

This is what the scuplture looked like after the end of Day 1:

Anatomical Drawing - Long Pose Day 2

Anatomical Drawing 1 - Reign and  , 18"x24", Graphite on Paper, 2017

Anatomic drawing with Dan Thompson-- this is Day 3 of class and the second day of this long pose.

Dan structure his class with a lecture then a demo and then a long pose for the rest of the class.

The drawing is progressing nicely. I have the major forms in and now need to work on the details of the smaller forms.

Class Finished Reconstructions

Our 2017 Forensic Sculpture class with their finished reconstructions. Thank you to the NYC Medical Examiner and instructor Joe Mullins.

Study for Large Painting 3 - Drawing 3

Study for Large Painting 3 - Drawing 3,  Oil Paint over Shellac and Ink, 18"x 24" 2017

This is the third of these drawings. I took a large couple chunks out of the sculpture, literally cutting out huge chunks at leaving the remains hanging from the armature.  I am really liking how the figure distorts and then seems to collapse.

I have to create a second figure and then add it to this scene.

Study for Large Painting 3 - Drawing 2

Study for Large Painting 3 -  Drawing 2, Oil Paint on Shellac and Ink, 18"x 24", 2017

So I worked with the same clay sculpture and did another drawing from a different angle.  I working on defining more of the sculpture I have two immediate thoughts.

• I am going to need to add another figure to the mix 
• I think the breaking down of the figure has to be more obvious.