Etude #1
Objective:
Picture of Latour sitting drinking coffee. This is a small study that I am undertaking in order to learn how to push the paint better.
I thought this piece could have ended here.
As part of an experiment, I submitted the image to a Facebook critique group with the intent of soliciting quick feedback.
I like the idea of reacting to observations from people who have no stake in the outcome beyond offering a constructive opinion.
There were no dramatic revelations in the comments. Most of the suggestions confirmed things I was already sensing. Still, I used the feedback as an impetus to make one more pass, and the painting is better for it.
Goal: Focus on color and mark making.
Result: I’m kind of happy with it.
Goal: Not to end up with a photoreal copy.
Result: Eh… I like where it ended up. It is something unique.
For the images below: I recommend clicking on one, then using the (forward/backward) buttons to scroll through them.
Notes:
If you are wanting more information about the text, I wrote about it in detail as part of ‘Objets Et Etranges #1’.
Reference image
This is a picture of Latour
I tried to not refer to the initial image over the last 6 or so sessions, so it morphed into the end result.
Thoughts:
I came across this video on Fischl. I appreciated the way that he talked his process of painting a piece. I didn’t know that he worked this way. What he said is the approach I’m trying to take with my initial photo based work. (video is starting a couple of minutes in and the clip I liked was around 90 seconds long).