Large Project

Oil and graphite on cardboard / 44 x 53 inches

 

This painting has been in process on and off for a few weeks and, today, I feel like it is finally finished. What inspired me was that my husband ordered a glass floor mat to put under the chair in his office and it came packaged between two huge and wonderful pieces of cardboard! Of course, with my interest in painting on cardboard, I got very excited and  could not pass up the opportunity to experiment on such a large surface. Mulling over what to paint, it seemed appropriate to place one of my large ballerinas front and center. Once the subject was selected, I decided not to prepare the surface at all but to jump right in and paint directly on the cardboard. I started out with a graphite drawing and, when that was finished to my liking, began with oil thinned with mineral spirits. Thicker paint came later. The surface is 44 inches by 53 inches. It is the largest painting I have ever done and I do admit to really loving the way the surface absorbs the paint.

I will show you the stages of how this painting developed. (Click on each photo to see it larger).... 

First the initial drawing in pencil. I had not added the man's face in the lower left at this point.

 

Second - defining the drawing in thinned oil paint and delineating the shadowed areas.

Starting to add color.

The finished picture and some close ups. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing the process - and the good thing is - I still have a second gigantic piece of cardboard!

Portrait Society

Nona / oil on cardboard / approximately 12x11

I decided to take my oil paints to the open portrait session this past Wednesday after spending several months drawing in graphite and Conte. I have not painted an oil portrait from life since I took a workshop many, many years ago at the Scottsdale Artists' School. But it was time to take the plunge and the life figure painting sessions at the Museum provided me with the push I needed. If not now, when? Nona is painted on cardboard prepared with a cool gray ground of gesso. I just love that surface for practice.

Drawing and Painting

What a joy this mornings portrait session was! Jeff was a perfectly composed model and somehow he neglected to bring  his parrot, his dog and his pony to the studio! He, did, however, insist on wearing his heavy tortoise shell glasses - but  no matter. Although I could not see his eyes and this session was so well attended that there was no hope of moving my easel, I feel that today was a success. I allowed my mind to fill with thoughts of Jeff and how they might translate into marks made upon the paper.

Jeff / graphite on cream paper / 24 x 18

Jeff / graphite and white charcoal on tan paper /  14 x 11

 In a week filled with family dramas, I found time to dash off a quick portrait study on cardboard and to begin Ballerina painting # 31. Its been a while since a ballerina called to me and I was most definitely caught by surprise!

James McNeill Whistler study / oil on cardboard / 12.5 x 12

 I love this concept of her and can't wait to work on it again - however, tomorrow I am flying to Los Angeles to attend to some family matters so she will have to stay in her unfinished state a while longer.

Ballerina 31 start / oil on linen / 24 x 18

To keep myself grounded and occupied in quiet moments, I purchased a used copy of Ray McMullens definitive biography (written in 1984) of Edgar Degas to read and absorb - Degas: His Life, Times and Work.

I would also like to take a moment to thank everyone that follows my blog, reads my thoughts and comments on my artistic endeavors. I value each person that takes a peak and each person that responds. You all leave deep impressions on my heart and I am so grateful to you all.