Showing posts with label Oil on Paper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oil on Paper. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Herzog in Monochrome


Herzog in Monochrome
12" X 16"
Oil on Paper
2015

Another Werner Herzog study completed a couple of weeks ago. Herzog is a kind of enigmatic figure in the sense that many of his views and life choices are quite original. This makes him difficult to define in any kind of conventional way. On realizing this I decided that this work wasn't doing him complete justice. So ultimately this work is just a stepping stone to another attempt at representing him with convincing authenticity. 

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Untitled #242


Untitled #242
9" X 12"
Oil on Paper
2014

I used some larger brushes in the hair for this 1.5 hour study. I always find it aesthetically attractive to use the largest possible brush to describe a form. There is a kind of simple beauty and elegance to a well placed and accurate brush stroke. 

To break down the complexities of nature into simple statements and patterns is an attraction across many endeavors. From simple mathematical equations that describe the nearly infinite variability found in the Universe, to the age old wisdom of the Golden Rule; simple truths hardly ever lose their luster. 


Saturday, March 21, 2015

Gwyneth Seated in Monochrome



Gwyneth Seated in Monochrome
9" X 12"
Oil on Paper
2015

I painted this the other morning from life out in 29 Palms in a little under two hours. It was another trek for me across the mass of Southern California to a place I've never been. The workshop was held at a place called 29 Palms Creative Center & Gallery and the host, other artists, and model were more than pleasant company to keep. The drive there was amazing too. So many wildflowers in the desert. The most I've seen in quite a few years. 

Friday, March 6, 2015

Monochrome Female Head Study 02


Monochrome Female Head Study 02
12" X 16"
Oil on Paper
2014

This painting is another 2 hour study done on Canson Oil Paper. I've really come to enjoy working with it over the last year. Although at first it took some getting used to as it is a "thirsty" surface to work with. What is especially attractive is that there is a soft focus quality to the finished work that is quite unique. Although hard edges are easily defined as well.

The paint bleeds a bit into the tooth with fluid applications. So it can behave a bit like watercolor paper in that way. Although it takes opaque passages with no problem as well, which makes it quite versatile. It's very much like working with Gouache on Illustration Board, but better in that it offers the permanence and luster of working in Oil.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Skeleton Study in Green Monochrome


Skeleton Study in Green Monochrome
9" X 12"
Oil on Paper
2014

This is a 2 hour study of a full size skeleton that I purchased back in the 90s. I've returned to paint and draw from it on countless occasions. The human skeleton, along with other animals in nature, is a work of tremendous complexity and presents a unique challenge when used as subject material due to the innumerous small forms of detail throughout.

In using it as a subject over the years it really sinks in after awhile just how complicated the spine is in particular. It's like this giant tree trunk of electrical wiring running right down the body carrying out much of what the brain commands and each vertebrae is riddled with processes, ridges, and nodules. It's a bit counterintuitive given how simple the back appears from a surface anatomy perspective. In fact the back, especially the lower back on the male figure, is one of the most continuously homogenous shapes on the human form in general. It's really quite deceptive. 

Monday, March 2, 2015

Monochrome Female Head Study


Monochrome Female Head Study 01
9" X 12"
Oil on Paper
2014

I've just opened up a Gallery on DailyPaintWorks.com* and this is the first painting I've posted there. It's a 2 hour study completed last year as part of a daily painting exercise and I'll be posting more work over the coming year or so.

I'm not currently represented in the "Gallery World" as I've been working full-time commercially for over the last 15 years very much under the radar. I made my first portfolio website back in the late 90s and took it down in late 2003. So I've been missing in action in a public way for quite some time. I haven't even really been on social media at all either. I started a Facebook page some years ago but that was mainly just to do research for a commercial project. I've really had my nose to the grindstone for a long time without taking much time to look around or self promote my work. So I imagine some visitors have come here and said to themselves, 'Who is this guy?'. For those that have I've added a bit more biographical info* at my DailyPaintWorks gallery.

*My online Gallery is currently closed to further purchases as of April 2015. Although I may reopen it at some point in the future.