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This is me, at work, raw and unpolished
'Morning Visitor' on the easel.
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Disconnected
Hiya guys!.. I'm super pumped at the moment as I've just passed my driving test!!.. Needless to say this feels like a HUGE weight off my shoulders and though not art related I wanted to share the happy news with you!.,.
Now to something I've been working on that does relate to art!..
This is going to be quite a minimalist drawing using soft pastels ( a medium I haven't used in the past decade!). The composition was carefully constructed beforehand as it will be The Most important and visible element in the piece ( even more than usual ) due to the minimalist design.
I'm using Canson Mi-Teintes (160g/m) which is supposed to have the highest cotton content on the market (over 50%). It is popular among pastelists but it seems sanded paper is also a fav and better at holding more pastel layers. I really like the lovely Canson Mi-Teintes papers texture though and since most of the paper is going to be left untouched I decided I would sand just the parts that I would be drawing/painting with the soft pastel. I don't know if this is something that pastelists ever do but I did a few tests and it seems to work well.
Now to something I've been working on that does relate to art!..
This is going to be quite a minimalist drawing using soft pastels ( a medium I haven't used in the past decade!). The composition was carefully constructed beforehand as it will be The Most important and visible element in the piece ( even more than usual ) due to the minimalist design.
I'm using Canson Mi-Teintes (160g/m) which is supposed to have the highest cotton content on the market (over 50%). It is popular among pastelists but it seems sanded paper is also a fav and better at holding more pastel layers. I really like the lovely Canson Mi-Teintes papers texture though and since most of the paper is going to be left untouched I decided I would sand just the parts that I would be drawing/painting with the soft pastel. I don't know if this is something that pastelists ever do but I did a few tests and it seems to work well.
I lightly traced the outline of the figure before sanding the parts that will be 'painted' quite thickly with soft pastel.
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Here I've already clarified the traced lines with white chalk & charcoal pencil after sanding the areas that will have thick soft pastel.
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One large 65x50cm sheet of Canson Mi-Teintes was divided in to two for the concept of the piece. Most of the paper is to be left untouched and any reworking would have been noticeable, so my predrawing was traced on rather than drawn straight and then clarified with white chalk & charcoal pencil after sanding. There will be a soft sanded edge around the figures but I feel this will add to the concept and feeling of the piece.
Next I'll be starting with the soft pastel! Ta for now!..
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Hi guys, finally had a bit of time to post some updates to this piece! It's slow going, but I know I can get it to where I want it to be if I allow myself the time needed to perfect it..
Next I'll be starting with the soft pastel! Ta for now!..
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Hi guys, finally had a bit of time to post some updates to this piece! It's slow going, but I know I can get it to where I want it to be if I allow myself the time needed to perfect it..
Using soft pastel, the colours were carefully placed, layering colours to get the right hue..
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The soft pastel was then carefully blended while adding more pastel where needed.
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I worked on the figure on the right (with colour pencil (below)) before continuing here with the left figure, refining the details (drawing in the hand) a bit more with colour pencil.
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I'm still not really familiar with the process and what to expect (after spraying fixative, and how the layering of subsequent layers will be (the build up of pastel starts to inhibit too much layering).. Though I'm going for a highly multilayered look I also want there to be translucent to the skin so I may not build it up too much anyway. Will see how it goes..
I'm trying to work on both figures at the same time as much as possible, keeping them at the same level of completion so that they stay in harmony with each other as well as helping me make compositional and colour decisions for the whole piece as things move along.
I'm trying to work on both figures at the same time as much as possible, keeping them at the same level of completion so that they stay in harmony with each other as well as helping me make compositional and colour decisions for the whole piece as things move along.
You probably can't tell here but my easel is tilted at a 30 degree angle for the soft pastel.
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Decided to draw in the details clearly with colour pencil before going in with the soft pastel for the right figure (I didn't do this step in the left figure)
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Then like the left figure, the soft pastel was applied and then blended.
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Details for the right figure is in the process of being clarified with colour pencil.
Once a little more detailing with colour pencil and soft pastel is done (on both) to a level close to completion (though this will be lost somewhat after the first layer of fixative) I'll give it its first layer of fixative to prepare it for another layer of soft pastel and colour pencil..! Ta for now! ... Hiya Folks, I'm back with more accurate colour corrected pics! 
Detailing being done with colour pencil in concert with soft pastel where need be
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It's taken a while, and that's because I do not want to rush this piece even though there are plenty of external pressures to do so. The right figure is done for now and is ready to be given its first layer of fixative which I think will darken the colours a bit (will see how it goes)
The figure is ready for the first spray of fixative and then more work will be done on the legs and rest of the body where need be..
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It's a bit tricky getting smooth curving lines with the big stubby end of a soft pastel, so the edges are being done with charcoal pencil blended in as best as can be.. This will need to be fixed and another layer laid for a nice even opaque surface.
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Okie, next I'll be clarifying the front two white ovals a bit more with white chalk pencil and then bringing the figure on the left to a higher finish before spraying them both with their first layer of fixative.
À bientôt!.. :)
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Hi guys, my father has been warded in hospital under critical condition since last week and all has been put on hold for now..
Thank you so much for dropping by. Hopefully I'll have more updates on this piece in a week or two..
Ta for now..
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Hi all, since my last update, my dad's been in and out of the hospital and right now has been admitted again for a recurring pneumonia. I won't go into details but the docs say we will have to expect that this will keep happening because of his combined conditions. I must admit that I'm disappointed with myself for not still finding a way to create during these recent events ( even sketches I've done in the hospital etc. have all been left half unfinished and not worthy to be shown). The short spans of time between the hospital stays have been filled with catching up on chores that have accumulated during his stays, besides the ongoing extra care he requires. Ideally I would like to get my head straight back in the game with whatever free pockets of time I do find myself with, but I sadly have never been able to do this, and usually require some extended time of solitary reflection and thought before I can create with proper consciousness.
Anyways, I just wanted to keep ya all updated so you know I haven't disappeared!..
Take care and thanks so much for dropping by!..
À bientôt!.. :)
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Hi guys, my father has been warded in hospital under critical condition since last week and all has been put on hold for now..
Thank you so much for dropping by. Hopefully I'll have more updates on this piece in a week or two..
Ta for now..
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Hi all, since my last update, my dad's been in and out of the hospital and right now has been admitted again for a recurring pneumonia. I won't go into details but the docs say we will have to expect that this will keep happening because of his combined conditions. I must admit that I'm disappointed with myself for not still finding a way to create during these recent events ( even sketches I've done in the hospital etc. have all been left half unfinished and not worthy to be shown). The short spans of time between the hospital stays have been filled with catching up on chores that have accumulated during his stays, besides the ongoing extra care he requires. Ideally I would like to get my head straight back in the game with whatever free pockets of time I do find myself with, but I sadly have never been able to do this, and usually require some extended time of solitary reflection and thought before I can create with proper consciousness.
Anyways, I just wanted to keep ya all updated so you know I haven't disappeared!..
Take care and thanks so much for dropping by!..
Reflective Infoxication
Working out the composition...
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Finally being continued..
So I've been sitting on this for a while now as I felt there was just something missing, a void in its conception that I knew would niggle at me throughout. So I let it be, let it stew in my mind, till finally, as often happens, the pieces came together and inspiration struck as I was immersed in the literary web of a book. It was just a matter of redeveloping this more apropos composition from there. Conceptual concerns aside, I decided a lot more studies to work out the technicalities of the piece would be prudent with a few tonal and colour studies.
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The 'negative' space (where the silverleaf would be) has to be carefully designed as well, as its reflective qualities will have a major effect on the overall composition. I want the silverleaf to retain as much of its polished look as possible while still having a painterly texture, so the canvasboard was covered with thick gesso applied with a pallet knife. There are some parts where the canvas texture still comes through a bit but hopefully this does not effect the sheen of the silver too much.
I've pretty much decided on a colour pallet with a slight play on subtle complimentaries. The toned canvas will show through quite a lot, thus playing a major part in the colour scheme..
Decided that this piece would work a lot better on a much larger canvas, so I'm in the process of making a new primed canvasboard (which I always make from scratch to unsure the best quality possible).
I've pretty much decided on a colour pallet with a slight play on subtle complimentaries. The toned canvas will show through quite a lot, thus playing a major part in the colour scheme..
Decided that this piece would work a lot better on a much larger canvas, so I'm in the process of making a new primed canvasboard (which I always make from scratch to unsure the best quality possible).
Few tiny thumbnails were done first to suss out the composition and where the silverleaf would be.
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Update 9th March'16: Forgive me for not posting any updates lately peeps, been busy preparing for a group exhibition (VDA Freakshow), but I'm free once again to get back to my normal shtick so I thought I'd just update ya on the progress so far!..
After doing a few tiny test thumbnails ( left: I often work very small during the brainstorming phase so I can test my ideas out quickly with as much depth as possible) to help me decided on the basic composition. The preliminary idea was then blown to full size and worked on again. |
New larger canvasboard texturally primed and toned. I usually always make my own supports from scratch to ensure the best quality and so they are just as I require for each individual piece.
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The composition was worked on a again at full size.. This is the final compo ready now to be lightly transferred to the canvas.
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Image was transfer to the canvas with oil paint paper (oil paint rubbed on normal thin paper that acts like carbon paper)
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Compositions can look quite different when blown up to its proper size so I like to look at the composition with a fresh eye and work on it again to get it just right.
Each stage of the piece can look quite different so the composition will work no more than as a guide. I'll be moving forward with more expressive spontaneity when the brush hits the board!..
Each stage of the piece can look quite different so the composition will work no more than as a guide. I'll be moving forward with more expressive spontaneity when the brush hits the board!..
Beginning the Silverleaf!
Had to apply the leaf in parts as I used a waterbased gilding paste (the oil based was not available) that would have dried too fast for me to apply the glue all over then the leafing before it dried.. I used a No.0 round and No.10 Flat to apply the glue then a big makeup round brush to tamp down the leaf gently before smoothing softly with my finger tip.
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After leaving it to dry for a day I brushed of the excess with a No.8 pighair filbert (see example below). Someparts though had stuck down hard on parts with no glue.. Nothing worked (scratching with a blade did but left the surface scuffed) till I tried duck tape!.. Worked like a charm... :)
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I then went over tidying the edges of the silver leaf and checking if any details had been missed. The missed areas were just carefully touched up with glue and silverleaf again...
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This was the second round of touching up and brushing off... :)
Still in the mids of refining the silverleaf... I can get quite anal with details like this and feel this stage to be quite important because when the light hits the canvas at certain angles, the silver leaf design will be the most prominent part seen.. More to come.. :) |
Besides refining the edges of the silverleaf, the delicate details of the blanket's tassel are added.
Since I am using a composite metal leaf (not actual silver) it can tarnish in time if left to the elements. So once the silverleaf was refined to my liking it was given 2 coats of clear acrylic gloss for protection.
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With a photo taken in just the right lighting, you can see the completed silverleaf design in all its glory.
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Beginning the underpainting in raw umber. Pure oil paint from the tube is used without any medium (even turps).
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Still in the mids of the underpainting...
I thought I'd show ya a bit of how I set my pallet and reference material up. I usually have some sort of reference that I prefer viewing on my desktop along with any other sketches, colour studies etc.. that I have done, stuck adjacent to the artwork for quick reference as I work (usually all on the left side of the easel, since I'm right handed) At this stage I only require my tonal study thumbnail and the picture of the figure... I made my pallet many years ago from just a piece of plywood, carved and protected with a deep reddish varnish. This finish has in time settled into the perfect mellow neutral tone for mixing by just rubbing in the residue, left by the oil paint, after each painting session. The thumbhole had been form fitted with PVA glue for a comfortable grip, but I have found, more often than not, I prefer having both my hands free as I work. Thus the set up you see here,.. The pallet is just clamped between two pieces of wood held in place by the weight of the canvasboard. It's perfectly positioned this way to be in the same lighting as the artwork (thus more accurate mixing) and for a more seamless workflow, as opposed to if it were positioned on a table on my right.. To ensure I'm always keeping tabs on how the overall piece is developing, I prefer standing or sitting on a high seat as I work so I can regularly move back and around easily to check the artpiece from afar... |
I want to make sure to get the underpainting right, as I will be leaving parts of it showing in the final.. Tones have to be carefully considered so as to ensure the viewers attention is held and eye led harmoniously throughout the piece. The underpainting is basically being scumbled in thinnish layers (completely drying in between each layer) and a putty eraser helps for picking out details... I like the effect produced with the scumbling technique on the textured surface of the canvasboard, giving an interesting textural look as the paint settles in the ridges... Ok then, ta for now folks.. :)
The underpainting is done and before I proceeded with the colour I thought I should test out the pallet I had decided on in this little piece (below) first.. I'm glad I did as it brought up several problems with my choices that would not have suited my silver leaf painting.
Thus I went back to the drawing board and this time recruited the help of Adobe's Kuler that was created to help designers decide on colour schemes..
Thus I went back to the drawing board and this time recruited the help of Adobe's Kuler that was created to help designers decide on colour schemes..
This painting used a pallet of - Light Red, Cad Yellow, Cobalt Blue & Raw Umber.
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- Cadmium Yellow Hue
- Cerulean Blue (Just thought I'd try this instead of the Cobalt this time and see how it goes)
Ok testing time!.. See ya!..
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Completed Underpainting
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It's a little more than a year since my last update for this painting, and yes I've been testing and all sorts out.. One would not ideally wish to take so long getting back to a painting but one good thing about it is that I can see a marked improvement in my skill from when it was started (or it might have something to do with me recently acquiring a pair of glasses after a long time of needing some).. :) A few of my latest works testing out palettes and techniques for this piece are: Testing DIY Silverleaf Sealant, Size & Colour Palettes and Original Sin Rebirth WIP With that I've finally resumed and completed the underpainting ready for the colour layer. Rather than the limited palette I had initially wanted to use, I'll be using a wider range of colours on my palette however this range will be subtle in the final painting. Planned palette: Flake White Hue, Titanium White (only for tiny touches of highlights), Yellow Ocher, Cad Yellow, Cad Red, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Sap Green, Phthalo Blue & Raw Umber. That's all for now! ... |
So I've finally got some good lighting for my studio!!.. :D
Ever since moving to my new studio I've been struggling to find a way to light my work area adequate. I've been relying on a table lamp which besides being woefully dimmer that what is required, I had a tough time placing it where it could light the artwork I was working on without disturbing my own eyesight or reflecting (thus obscuring) off the computer screen I usually rely on to display my reference material. As you can see (below, the red lamp balancing on a pile of books behind my easel) I finally resorted to dismantling it enough so I could sort of balance the lamp part on a top beam of my easel. Still the light was uneven on the artwork and still too dark (plus the CRI was quite low, so I couldn't really rely on it to get accurate colour rendering).
After scouring for affordable alternatives, I just could not find a lamp light that would be bright enough with a high enough CRI until I came across this softbox on Lazada!.. Compared to all the other normal lighting methods (lamps etc..) I could find, it was way way cheaper ($29 USD) and had just the right specs I required for the light (150W, 5500K, 220V... and a 92 CRI !).. Perfect!.. I hadn't heard of artists ever using softboxes as a light source during painting though, and a google search similarly didn't bring up any results. I'd have to just take a risk and try it out for myself. If it didn't work at least I could use it for taking product shots or pawn it off to my photographer bf!.. lol.
Turns out it works absolutely Perfectly!!!. It lights everything evenly, doesn't shine in and hinder my own eyesight, nor does it effect the images on my computer screen. I was worried it may feel obtrusive in my limited space, but it isn't at all. In fact because I can place it high up behind me at a further distance it's a load less intrusive than the lamp when it was placed at my side. It's almost like a ceiling light in fact. The light of course (as you can see below) is absolutely everything I wanted, I really couldn't be happier and am well pleased with the purchase.. :D
The top row is how it looks in the daytime, the bottom row, at night. The first left pics are with just my studio ceiling lighting on, the middle pics show how it looks with the lamp light on as well and the last (right pics) show the lighting with the softbox light on instead!.. It's glorious isn't it!..
Ok folks, that's it for now, as you can see I've got some tidying up to do in my studio.. Ta!
Ok folks, that's it for now, as you can see I've got some tidying up to do in my studio.. Ta!
The title is not confirmed yet ( haven't thought of something that would encompass all the themes I designed this piece to convey )
Ok I've finally decided, that's it, I'm finishing this piece (that I started back in 2010!!) and have only been working on, on and off since... Recently however my motivation has been reignited with the theme (mmm... I wonder why) and my heart is back into it, which is always how one should feel when working on a piece.
As I've mentioned before all previous WIP images of this piece were lost when my camera got stolen at the start of the piece. Indeed I couldn't help thinking how much one of the themes of this piece applied to the unfortunates who had gotten so desperate as to attempt an essentially botched burglary on us (all they got was the the rather old and cheap camera) which was displayed clear as day during their attempt...
Anyways I'm glad to be back to it now, and as fast as the drying time allows, finally complete it..
As I've mentioned before all previous WIP images of this piece were lost when my camera got stolen at the start of the piece. Indeed I couldn't help thinking how much one of the themes of this piece applied to the unfortunates who had gotten so desperate as to attempt an essentially botched burglary on us (all they got was the the rather old and cheap camera) which was displayed clear as day during their attempt...
Anyways I'm glad to be back to it now, and as fast as the drying time allows, finally complete it..
Completed Dead Layer SIZE : 14 . 5 " x 12 "
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3rd Glaze Layer on Table & Turkey
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Lightening with just titanium white alkyd after 3rd glaze layer.
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It was started off with a detailed underpainting in acrylic burnt umber, proceeded by the dead layer in alkyd (fast drying oils) with a mixture of -
Terre Verte (a lean (extra fast drying), very transparent greenish hue) Lamp Black (has an extremely high tinting strength. Adding more black, darkens and gives a more blueish cooler tone) Burnt Sienna (added because it seemed to give a wholeness to the hue) I'm currently going over the piece detailing the lights in Titanium White (an opaque white) as after the 3rd glaze, the turkey started to look a bit too dark. At this point I am still using alkyd and using a mixture of - Liquin fine detail : Refined Linseed Oil : Turpentine ( with a 1 : 1 : 2 ratio ) as my medium. |
I'm happy with the level of lightening that has been done for now and can continue with the 4th glaze layer next...
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