Who am I?
painting figure portrait
I've been working on the portrait for a couple of days. I wanted to see what happened if I allowed the brush mark to make the "outline" rather than create the outline and then work into it, if that makes sense. I then came across a painting I did three years ago of a man pushing a bike in Amsterdam and I can see I was beginning to use some of the same approach there. On a completely different note I can see the blue is different and I think in his case I must have used ultramarine. I'll try it again. There is no end to this game - ever - that is what I am learning. The portrait, by the way, is I suspect, not finished but I'm happy to keep working on it over the coming weeks if need be.
ps. my favourite bit of the portrait is the red sleeve against the aqua background on the bottom edge of the frame.
posted by Sheila Vaughan at 11:48 AM
22 Comments:
Sheila,
This is a very intriguing portrait. i love your expression..'the seeker', so intent on learning. I also love the colourful midtones, they are very exciting. Do you know the work of Pegi Nicol MacLeod, a Canadian painter from the 30's-40's? I think you would enjoy a look. I watched a fabulous documentary about her life and work called 'Something Dancing About Her' from the National Film Board. She did wonderful portraits, and many of them self portraits too.
Really like the composition too in your self portrait, very contemporary.
Hi Sally, yes the intent on learning almost gets in the way of learning sometimes which sounds back to front. I'm really glad you commented on the colour in the mid tones. It's acrylic and you can't always achieve the rich colour you want with it I think. No, I didn't know Pegi Nicol MacLeod's work. I'll look her up. Thank you.
This portrait is wonderful - expressive and full of emotion - and beautifully painted. I don't know why you want to emulate anyone else - your painting is very strong! And thank you for your kind comment on my blog!
Thanks Karen, that's kind of you to say so.
Sheila i love your brushwork and your colours in the portrait. Personally apart from highlighting, i think this portrait is almost done imho. looking forward to seeing he finished painting:)
Wow...very interesting portrait. The aqua background really pushes your face and red dress out into the forefront. I like the intensity of it, much like your pursuit of finding more depth and technique to your work.
My favorite part of this painting is the wisp over your left eye. The contrast to the strong hairline on the right suggests to me the way we see ourselves differently. But I also just like the movement that the wisp suggests - the rest of the painting is so strong, absolute - but there is this bit -- just a wisp.
Marietta
I like your approach to painting..I do really like the portrait, very intense
Rahina, Nina, Marietta, Kay, I really appreciate your very welcome comments here. So happy you like this.
I like your approach on this. It's very successful. Yes, the red is gorgeous, but that hair is stunning juxtaposed against the beautiful background! Wow.
Looking forward to visiting again and seeing your process.
Wonderful expression, both in brushstrokes and the lady's face. Well done~
I love that way of painting--painting masses instead of filling in lines...it's like working from the middle of the form out...more akin to sculpting. You used the method to marvelous effect here.
If the portrait needs work, it sure needs very little work, in my opinion--terrific!
Melinda, thanks for your welcome input.
DJ, thanks for the kind words - I'm not often called a lady these days, LOL.
Don, thanks for visiting, I know you're busy at the moment preparing for your show. Yes, it is like sculpting. I was planning on specialising in sculpting eons ago. It never happened. We don't talk about it, LOL. I like the term "massing" and the process sort of fits portrait work I think.
Love both of these.
I'm super impressed by the colors/values used in the "white" hair.
Fantastic, Sheila! You do an extremely fine self!!! I love it. Like Sally, I was struck by the simliarity to Pegi Nicol's earlier work with this one!
Thanks Jala and Linny, good to see you here.
I love this Sheila. You know I'm crazy for this kind of brushwork. Blocky and beautiful. :)
Hi Jeff, yeh, I know you like the big, blocky brush strokes and sometimes I really enjoy working that way - but not always. I always love checking out your blog though!
Love it Sheila, a very honest painting well executed.
Thank you Mark - really enjoyed looking at your recent stuff too.
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