Objective:

Focus is on color and mark making. I want this person to be unique. This is not an exercise in trying to copy a photo, I want to find someone new emerging from it as I work and then to allow that person to come out.

Result:

I really like this work, but I don’t think I succeeded in creating a ‘new person’. Its weird, I have an easy time doing it with men from northern European ancestry. The further I get away from that the harder it gets to take risks on changing who that person is. I wish I had the courage to have pushed it a bit more…

Look at stage 3 of this. Its rough, the figure is in a cartoon state, but its got something unique. Instead of rolling with it in a direction that could be condescending (why do I feel that way?), I feel a need to pull it back here and present a dignified person. I wouldn’t have qualms about making a white man look weird.


Eddie Zuckermandel from 1948

Alice Neel - Eddie Zuckermandel, 1948

I keep thinking about the shape of the eyes and nose in this Neel painting.

Also, that composition and sense of depth… whoa, nicely done.

Paula Modersohn-Becker - 'Mädchen mit Blumenkranz', 1901

This image is so perfect. The color, the application of paint, the mood, the capture of the person posing…. Love this painting.


End of Session 8

I’m liking where this is. Needs more depth.

End of Session 13

I really like this right here. I’m thinking next steps might be:

  • Mark Making - pull in smaller brush to add 1,000,000 small brush marks that will show the contours of the face and space better. (see Van Gogh self portrait).

  • Splashes of color - Attack the work with very transparent layers of very wet color. (See Doig or Anderson)


For the images below: I recommend clicking on one of the images, then using the (forward/backward) buttons to scroll through them.

Reference Image

What a great face

Note: Information on why I’m adding the meta data to the painting can be found here, ‘Objets Et Etranges #1’.

Love this song, I’d trade a quick sketch for a first edition of this album.

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Etude #25

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Etude #23