Grisaille Done
Not a lot of white in this grisaille – I’m keeping it on the dark side!
Equine Portrait
Commission, 2017, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16″
The winner of the Las Libres fundraiser raffle I helped organize decided to have a portrait of her horse. After meeting equine artist Jennifer Pratt yesterday, I realize that there is a lot more to a horse than I thought! Details in the eyes, mouth, and ears can make or break a painting of a horse. Here’s my feeble attempt.
Bad Painting!
What a difference between the two! The first was really loose and fast, while I took more time with the second and put down more deliberate brushstrokes. Still, I think I’ll stick with people!
Symbolic Items
This is a very small painting (5 x 7″) that I’ve been commissioned to do. So far I’ve just got the underpainting/value study. The objects in the painting are symbolic and meaningful to a married couple – this will be an anniversary present.
Grisaille on a Horse Painting
For a Las Libres fundraiser I was helping to organize we made the raffle prize a 9 x 12″ portrait done by yours truly (and I just realized that I made the painting bigger at 12 x 16″). The winner chose to have a portrait of her horse. Here is the grisaille layer and when this is dry I’ll paint some golden glazes on top to give it a little more form, volume, and of course, a little colour.
Figure Drawing
I went to a figure drawing session the other night for the first time in 20 years! I was pretty rusty at gestural drawing and have yet to find a style that works for me. I really need more practice and I’m happy to be going to life drawing on a regular basis. Here’s a couple drawings.
Drawing Hands
More hands practice! I don’t paint at night because the change in lighting throws it all off for me, so I find drawing to be a good exercise after dark.
Double Portrait
On the easel now – this is a double portrait of a married couple. He’s reading her one his favourite books, Anna Karenina, in their library. There’s a Russian samovar on the desk and of course, a memento mori to remind you that life is fleeting and to seize this moment. I’m going to leave it like this (with half the grisaille done) until next week. Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!
