This week, I had the problem of getting a bit late to the session, so I wasn't able to finish the portrait in 2.5 hours.
I am still feeling better and more confident when it comes to portrait painting. I am slowly getting to my main aim..(practice, practice, practice) that's what it is :).
This week it was kind of cute, because I told the model she was free to put some music for her if she wanted. (I always wear headphones when I paint, and each part of the painting requires different tips of music..I know..Bad habits :) ).
The model got so relaxed with the music that she kind of fell asleep, so I took advantage of that to try some closed eyes.
Enough of talking, here is a phone picture of the (sort of) final painting.
Tried doing some roses from life inspired by the works of Daniel Keys, who is probably my favorite floral artist.
This is the result.
"Roses are red" - 30 x 20 cm oil on panel - alla prima
Yesterday, I was once again at the school where I teach for a quick figure painting session and made a sketch of the model. It's interesting that some models do not work fully nude (which actually helps in understanding muscle relations and anatomy), so you have to go with what you are given. I really like the school where I teach though, and the director Sergey, is brilliant.
The model of yesterday had this sort of Eastern European princess look to her. If you open an old illustration book, she kind of reminds you of that. there is nothing like working from the real model.
Anyway, here goes my sketch (40x30) (sorry for the awful phone picture, but I left the painting at the school to dry). Just remember, that if you are interested in any of my works, feel free to send me an email :)
In the school where I teach, the wonderful owner allows the teachers to come in and work from life whenever they are not lecturing. I find this incredibly generous and an amazing way to motivate us as well to get better, so we can pass along more knowledge onto our students.
For this particular alla prima study, I had a model that wouldn't stop moving (drinking coffee, moving feet, adjusting the headphones) which made it quite a challenge, but at the same time it helped my study in having more of a motion style. I will not really be posting pictures of me, but in the picture below taken by the school owner, I am working exactly on that study. :D I will be posting a picture of the complete painting soon.
Yikes!!!!
I really wasn't prepared for this. This weekend there was snow all around Prague, so I decided to go adventure myself and try my first plein air in Stromovka.
I put on a lot of clothes (or so I thought)... 2 pairs of socks, a polar fleece with a sweatshirt on top and a t-shirt in between and some thin gloves (so that I could put my vinyl gloves over them). I went with my back down the steep hill towards Stromovoka and was surprised not to see anyone with a bike. (little did I know...).. Well, I found out the hard way that the reason there were no bikes in the park was the fact that it is impossible to pedal, brake or do any sudden move over ice.. Yes...I fell! But I fell gracefully..so to say :D
Well, I got to a little spot that has this sort of little house or bunker and it was covered with snow. I had to paint that beautiful melancholic scene.
The first 20 minutes were alright, but after 40 minutes I couldn't feel my painting hand anymore and it was time to move. I need to find a better way to paint in the snow and be able to hold it for a while.
Anyway, here's my cold attempt at the scene :)
I am not one to really boost on new year resolutions and all of that, but this year big changes are coming my way. I will write about it on a further post once things are more official, but for now I must say I am thankful for the way things are turning.
This year I definitely want to keep on drawing and painting as much as possible, and at the same time keep on having the same attitude towards learning from every source available.
So here's to an amazing new year, to anyone who might possibly read this!
I came from a class on Sunday and decided I wanted to draw something. I had never attempted to capture the delicate melancholic look of a dying flower.
I did this one in charcoal with a size of 65x40 cm
Up for sale on my Etsy shop for a symbolic price of 65 dollars!
Here's the link if you are interested.
Etsy
