Looking For Light

While struggling with the dark “Cloaked” series, I felt compelled to search for a little light.  This is one of two recent pieces expressing that urge to find the light.  Tomorrow, another light seeking painting.

Secrets On The Breeze

Oil on Linen 24″x 24″

This painting has been “finished” for a couple of weeks now.  However, I’ve tweaked it almost every day for the past two weeks, each time thinking “ok, now it’s finished”.  It’s finished:)

Values in Backlight

11″x14″ Oil on Canvas

 

I’ve often found myself frustrated while trying to realize form within a backlit subject.  The bright back round light tends to flatten the planes of a figure or face, making it difficult to read the values necessary to create the form of the features.  In a situation like this, the values are darker and often not as varied as one might hope. I painted this portrait with the intention of improving my skills in working with backlight.

As you can see, I started with a recycled canvas (covering an unsuccessful  painting), and a charcoal drawing.  The painting is essentially alla prima (if we can excuse the start in charcoal).

OMG

Oil on Canvas 12″x12″   Alla Prima

In this piece, I’ve mixed mindful linear accents with an even focus of hues and values.

I’m working furiously at the moment, so please forgive my lack of attention (for the time being), to all of your terrific blogs.  I’ll move back into blogger mode soon and enjoy catching up with you.  I so appreciate you insightful comments and kind support. Thank you!

Flaxen

 

Portrait of G.          11″x14″ Oil on Linen

 

 

Roused

More hair-raising:)      This one is gouache on rough cold press watercolor paper,   It’s 13″x 20″ and somewhat unwieldy.   I put it aside for weeks, then pushed the hairdo up and away.   There are still many areas to work through, but I’d rather move on.

Divide Series Continued

Pre “divide”

The finished piece.