Saturday, January 23, 2010

Teeny Tiny Stuff

I'm in the middle of producing some paintings for the Teeny Tiny Art Show VI at Three Graces Gallery (opening Feb. 5th). Remember how I said long ago that I wanted to create a series about Lady Macbeth? Well, I wasn't kidding:

Out, Damned Spot!
ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper

Come, You Spirits That Tend On Mortal Thoughts
ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper

I'm not crazy about these paintings, but they may grow on me. I'm attempting a more painterly approach with visible layering (base linework in gray, key linework in black, glazes, using gouache to bring certain areas back to the foreground). I'm also painting on Arches cold press watercolor paper, which I haven't done since '06 because I thought it was too toothy for my sophomoric linework. Now that I'm confident in my line with a brush I've decided to give cold press another go (inspired by this).

I'll finish the remaining 4 pieces in the series in this style, but I'm curious to know what my trusted peers think of this direction. What do you guys think, should I continue to pursue it?

4 comments:

  1. I really like the variances in the color and tone of the line work and I love the way the areas in gouache ‘pop’!
    Dad-in-law

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  2. I think those came out FANTASTIC! I love the color saturation.

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  3. I really like the first one, it seems you've not had a problem with the transfer from hot press to cold press. The shading in the body is wonderful, I especially enjoy the kneecap in the lower right. The only thing is that I find the halo of shine in the hair a bit distracting. My eye hits that first, and kind of gets stuck there and I have to remind myself to look elsewhere. It's just a thought, the rest of the painting is very successful, and I also enjoy the perspective and pose of the figure. Nice work!

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  4. I think the use base linework in gray and key linework in black is really smart. The depth is enhanced and the pieces are visually more interesting.

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