I'm teaching myself to paint, and this is my 44th. painting. Portraits are now attracting my focus, and this is the #6 since I started (never tried 'people' before).
I'm rather pleased with this one insofar as the plan, based on the previous experiences, worked out as I'd hoped it would.
Susan Smolensky had told me she liked a light Burnt Sienna ground and it seemed totally appropriate for this painting.
I'm rather pleased with this one insofar as the plan, based on the previous experiences, worked out as I'd hoped it would.
Susan Smolensky had told me she liked a light Burnt Sienna ground and it seemed totally appropriate for this painting.
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| Angolan Woman John Simlett 2014 30 x 20 inches Acrylic on Canvas |
I wanted the image to 'glow' to reflect the heat and red earth of Africa. The necklaces, etc., that the woman wore already had a reddish orange hue. I therefore wanted the burnt sienna ground to 'bleed' through of it's own accord to influence the earth colours: raw umbra, burnt umbra and yellow ochre. The photograph doesn't show all the glow but isn't too bad
I also used a Zinc White (Open) which I mixed with a Titanium White (Heavy Bodied) to keep the latter from drying too quickly. The Zinc White I also used as a 'mixing white' for the tones.
A dab of Mars Black and Cad. red competed the palette.
I confess that I find that I like big canvases ... which is an expensive thing to like.
PS Father Christmas bought me a bunch of Black Sable brushes!!!! Woo Hoo!
I also used a Zinc White (Open) which I mixed with a Titanium White (Heavy Bodied) to keep the latter from drying too quickly. The Zinc White I also used as a 'mixing white' for the tones.
A dab of Mars Black and Cad. red competed the palette.
I confess that I find that I like big canvases ... which is an expensive thing to like.
PS Father Christmas bought me a bunch of Black Sable brushes!!!! Woo Hoo!
Well, John... I see you are coming along in leaps and bounds in the portrait department. This one is a winner and
ReplyDeletesuits your eye for detail with the beads and braids.
I love the cool light on the necklaces.
Have a heck of a successful 2015!!
Oh and of course...good health and happiness too.
Thank you so much, Julie; your work is inspirational to all of us.
DeleteHave a Brilliant 2015!!
Glad to see the finished picture ! A beautiful one I think...
ReplyDeleteI wish you a happy "old year ending".
Thank you, Anne and a Happy "new year starting" :0))
DeleteSensational, John.
ReplyDeleteToo kind, 'Z'
DeleteJohn. What are you doing up at 0401 hrs ? Dawn Patrol ?
DeleteLooks like my blog doesn't know what Star date it is.
DeleteCaptain's Log 35.9
A great draftsman now reveals a great painter !!!
ReplyDeleteWhat else, John!?
You left me speechless with your drawings and now with your painting. This last portrait has its own soul inside, is ready to live its own life ... GORGEOUS !!!
Happy Healthy New Year for you and all your lovely family in the world.
Oh my goodness, compliments from an artist like you, Rita, are to be treasured. thank you.
DeleteJohn this is beautiful. The warmth of the colours you've used is really apparent in her gorgeous skin tone and wonderful jewellery. Happy New year to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nic. Loved seeing your latest hanging on your wall.
DeleteThis is amazing, John. Just a beautiful painting. She has a real aware gaze, with a hint of mischief or irony in her expression. And all of the others you've done in the last month - you are pushing yourself to higher places, and it is wonderful to see. Re the cost of the canvases. I want to go larger too. My paintings are way too small. So I've bought some larger canvases. (Which I need to use - like diving for the first time in the deep end.) But I also got a canvas roll, and the tools for making my own. They have videos on youtube about how to do it and it is darned easy and cheaper than buying the large canvases. I think making your own canvas also adds credibility to your work - not despite the imperfections but because of them, i.e., this is a real artist. Nothing for you - you've built ships! Happy new year! So glad you are back. And glad to be back myself to watch your self-directed growth.
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow...wow. Speechless. Your sense if color and the masterful mixing of it to celebrate her skintones just makes my jaw drop! Excellent!
ReplyDeleteYour work is so beautiful. Your portrait of this young African woman looks so alive. x
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind, Julie Ann, thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's fascinating to read you haven't painted portraits before and you come up with this beautiful face! Who would believe that you are a beginner! You must be talented.
ReplyDeleteI too am recently trying umbra and especielly sienna to paint a face. Exciting.
This painting was made a year ago, thank you for your kind comments.
DeleteWow - absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteGill x