Ink Tempera Resist Technique Follow Up

Here's the now finished portrait from the last post.  Even in its unpainted form, I considered it unsuccessful.  There were too many places where the tempera was applied too thinly and the ink found a home where it shouldn't have.  The unsightly blob on her forehead being the most obvious.

So why did I continue on and add color?  Practice, practice, practice.  Remember, the only failure is failure to try.  So I soldiered on.  I used blue as a shadow color.  Not so much.  But, I think it could be really effective as a reflected light or secondary light source.  Very dramatic.  I also really like the swirls in the background which, originally, were a second thought.  If I liked this piece, I would probably add more color to the background.  I also got to see what actual color my four greens were... new watercolor set and all.  I like the necklace.  The highlights really made it pop.  Now, to what makes this piece a bomb... not the bomb... a bomb. 

Like I said before, I didn't have full control of the tempera and, as such, the ink ended up places I didn't want it.  The schmutz on her forehead (what is that?).  Various random streaks on her face.  The top arrow with the check mark shows were the texture from the ink works.  It shows a shadow area.  I meant to do that.  No, really, I did.  The arrow below it with the x shows where it works against the painting.  That mark makes her breast look strange... like she couldn't commit and only had the boob job on one side.  Unfortunately, I meant to do that mark, too.  Live and learn. 

I'll try this image again.  Practice, practice, practice!

Painting Class - Day 2

"Tell me what's going on with this shadow, Anne."

"Well..."

"It looks as though you painted it without a reference."

"Yeah, actually I put it while the model was on a break."

"Well, It SUCKS!"

I rolled out a belly laugh for that on the outside, and was shouting 'Hoorah!' on the inside.  And here's why:  if the teacher, who's job it is to criticize without being discouraging, feels comfortable enough with you and your work to flat out tell you something in your painting sucks, you must be doing pretty good overall.  Not only did I get a knuckle rap for rushing and failing to look at my source, but Margaretta also helped me see that the shadow had some rose in it.  I would never have seen that on my own.

The background is just blobs of color at this point.  I'll work on those a bit during the week so I can focus on painting Yi during class.  Yi, by the way, has gotten a painting in a show in France!  Go, Yi! 

In class today, I rearranged her face.  Not in the the boss sent Guido down to have a talk wit youse way.  More of a I'm not used to painting a live model and her head is really wonky way.  I think it looks much better now.  Next class I'll work on her legs, as well as getting more shading done.

If you are having trouble with a painting, or just don't know where to go, I suggest photographing it and looking at it later on the computer.  It gives you some distance to be able to see your work with a more objective eye.  I've learned this from blogging and posting my work.  It's very helpful. 

I've also been working on a new project using tempera ink resist.   I had tried it once before with average results, but yesterday's efforts were better.  I bought some watercolors, which worked much better than the fluid acrylics.  However, I realize a little practice is in order. 

Still, I'm pleased with the results.  The one to the right with color is almost complete.  I'll touch up the blacks a bit here and there.  The one below is in the pre-color stage.  It looks kinda cool as is, but I'll add color tonight.  I'm really looking forward to doing a portrait with this technique.  I might do a self-portrait next.

Well, they say you have to do something for 1,000 hours to become an expert.  I guess I better get on this!

Taking a Class to Get My Groove Back

I decided a while back to take a 4 week class at the Art Students League of Denver to shake things up a bit.  As you know, I'm self taught, and this is my first painting class... ever.  I've felt in a bit of a rut lately.  I think I've gotten so tight with my painting and stuck with my level of knowledge that I find myself circling the easel warily.  In fact, my daughter caught me doing so the other day and made me paint... "Now, Mom.  Just do it."  She was right of course, as usual, and I got quite a bit done.  But I was still looking forward to the class.

Today was the first class of Faces and Figures with Margaretta Gilboy.  I really enjoy her teaching style.  She's kind and very straightforward.  I think at first I confused her with the way I paint.  I add color very early in the process because I see what I'm doing better that way.  I'm sure she thought I was going way too fast in the beginning, but realized what I was doing after a bit.  At one point, late in the session, I still hadn't added the color for the pillow under the model's back.  I just couldn't decide what color to make it.  She asked me a couple of times what was going on it that area.  Obviously the emptiness was bugging her and I had added color everywhere else.  Honestly, it was an obvious weird white space.  When I finally added the beginnings of the rose color, she was happy.  Hey, I could see it in my head all along! 

During the sketch and early color period, I had a heck of a time with the proportions.  I'm used to working with photos rather that a live three-dimensional person.  It's a very, very different process.  Fortunately, with acrylics, I can sketch, add light color, and then go back and sketch over it.  My work in this painting is very loosey goosey, which is what I wanted to go for in this class.  I realized about halfway through the day how much I like to lay on the floor and look at what I've done during my little breaks.  Don't worry, I managed to stay off the floor today, but it was tough! 

Before next week, I'll need to find a photo reference for the background.  I have a couple things in mind.  Finding a good photo to work from might be a challenge though.  I'll post another photo after next week's class.