Two sketches for an upcoming painting

These are two studies for a new painting I will be working on. I have been thinking about trust and those who help us due to how often we must have faith in others to get the help we need in this challenging world. While I was waiting for Maryanne’s shoulder surgery to be over, I was able to complete the second compositional study. Both drawings will be useful in the next phase of this work, when I make more detailed charcoal drawings on canvas before painting. As of now, there will be five bluebirds in this one, and of course my puggle Sammie will be in the background. I met a fellow artist in the hospital’s OR waiting area, who also struggles to make time to create, as life often throws curveballs.

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So Happy

with how this is coming along, I have treated myself to a library visit, homemade cornbread and a Mexican dinner. Going forward, the figures’ shadows will tie it all together in a subtle way. Very pleased with myself today.

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A Day’s Work

I am happy with the beautiful face of this figure. It has the perfect ratio of warm to cool: thoughts of Velazquez. The middle figure brings the painting together. The pose, the values and the colors all harmonize with the overall composition. I envision the figure on the right with Rubensian flesh tones. The tones will contrast nicely with the other two figures’ flesh colors. Additionally, I am healing well from Takotsubo. It usually takes a month and I am near that mark. And, my Mets won a game yesterday. Good work all around.

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One of Three

I have been working on this figure from the Three Graces painting. The next time I work on it, I will soften the edges. The skin tone is warm to cool throughout, with the goal of having neither the warmth nor the cold be too prominent.

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Three Graces

Working on the landscape elements of this painting has been a way to escape my current health issues. I know from experience that once a health issue crops up, it is easy to get caught up in negative thinking and lose my equanimity. So, I am going to make a concerted effort this time to not start thinking the worst. So far, I have come across a bad doctor, an equally bad cardiac unit of a local hospital, and some truly kind and caring medical professionals. I have to have faith that I will come across more of the latter and not the former as this journey continues. Maybe the Three Graces can help guide me.

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Evolution of a Portrait

First stage with blue ground and outlines in raw and burnt umbers
Addition of beard and shadows
Broad colors of skin tones laid in
More detailed lights, darks and middle tones applied
Beard and more details added; tones blended to more realistically express features
Almost completed: shirt and background elements added

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