Here are several figure paintings that I haven't posted . Each one is started with a gesso coated watercolor paper. Then I use acrylic paint in a random fashion for my first layer...next I begin to work from the model. I try to use the layers of color that came first to help with the image. The first painting is of a favorite model who has this crazy cool tattoo down her back. Next was actually a really skinny long haired guy..I thought the painting was better as a girl. Finally this painting of the lady with the shawl has some fun colors. Although her face is sort of strange I like it that way. I can't begin to say what a delightful group I work with from the model. Each person is doing their own style, working on their own challenges. We have coffee and snacks and classical music. We have an amazing group of models that pose for us. Wonderful mornings!
Last weekend was "Art Detour Weekend" in Phoenix. We had the studio open all day Saturday and Sunday and enjoyed a steady stream of visitors. I worked on some abstract acrylics while hanging out downtown. One was started by working over the Deep Fried Challenge painting...I really didn't think I wanted chicken legs in a hot skillet hung on the wall. I keep the bubbles of hot oil though!! The second painting was started on a blank canvas. I like it pretty well. I had a start on a couple of others too.
There were flowers blooming the last couple of painting sessions in the desert. We have had very little rain so the poppies, lupine, etc. aren't really making a showing. Brittle brush is so reliable though! Beautiful daisy like blooms on these bushes really are sweet. It was a really steep area where this was painted. The trick was not to roll down the hill when standing back from the painting!
We love our model Sara at my life drawing group. She is a really great model. When she does her short poses she thinks about everything down to the position of her fingers and toes. I have been concentrating on these acrylic layered paintings during the long pose day. I did these the last two times we had her. I layer up some colors and then start actually painting from the model. It is fun to discover the colors that are underneath as I scrub out the light areas...more layers, light and dark...what a wonderful way to spend the morning!
