I feel, for me, that painting the human figure from life is the best way I can express myself. Is it better than working from a photograph, I will let others judge.

The direct experience in painting from life is almost inexpressable. You are not painting an interpretation of a thin sheet of paper or a digital image but from an interaction with a real live human being. It is difficult, expensive and frustrating. The reward is something that may be light years beyond the original concept, something that takes flight in our imagination that is not shackeled so often to re-imaging the photographic source.

It is a difficult thing to do, it requires many years of dedicated training and work to be able to paint or draw the human figure with any degree of ability. Our culture does not allow this today but celebrates the shortcuts and calls it 'personal expression', no matter what kind of garbage or personal neuroses is displayed upon the canvas. We have lost the quest for exquisiteness in our work.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Vanessa and the butterfies in progress

I always plan my pictures. I gather background material and scraps of color-aid paper and tack them up where the model should be. I make sure the colors resonate harmoniously and I try to push the color so it is not always the same old trite combinations. I always plan my color- it is neither accidental nor left to chance. I make color studies for large works. Planning your color ahead of time keeps your colors from getting muddy and keeps them fresh and painted with surety.
Posted by at 4:45 AM

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