"Whole Piece #42"

"Whole Piece #42"
5" by 7"
Oils on Panel

The Seven Day Sprint

"Whole Piece #42"
Side View

So far so good. I'm on track, I completed a painting yesterday and today. (I'll try to share yesterday's painting before the sprint is through. ;)) Eight more to go by next Tuesday midnight to hit my half way goal, painting #50, in the series of 100 paintings! In this painting I enjoyed portraying a bright light cast onto the face without a harsh light shadow contrast. I believe the coupling of a slightly opened mouth and subtle shadows are what intrigued me, as that combination I believe creates a sense of mood that is present but hard to define. That undefined mood feels like a good connection to experiencing face blindness and to many ponderous human experiences.

Next

I'm hoping to get two 4" by 4" paintings done tomorrow as to meet my goal I'll have to double up a few times. Back in September of last year I managed to complete three small paintings in one day to meet my 30 paintings in 30 days goal, so I know it is possible. AND, I am so lucky to have no distractions or other obligations in sight for tomorrow!

P.S. If you are new to the blog check out this post to learn about the series, and this post to learn how to join in.

"Whole Piece #35"

"Whole Piece #35"
6" by 6"
Oils on Panel

Almost Up to Date

Finally a more recent painting to share with you all! I painted this just a couple of days ago, from photo reference that I got from another generous Grossmont College student.

Process

This painting was a bit of a challenge and great fun. Getting those lips to be the right kind of bright red (Which sadly doesn't quite come out true on the web. :-P) was a balancing act between garish and vibrant. This is the first of the Whole Piece Series where I got to play with painting some bolder make up. Beyond the fun of potent color this lovely lady's face had so much form to play with. I enjoy sinking my eyes into the dips between one plane of her face and another and gliding over the curves of her distinct chin, lips and cheeks. :) I really focused on conveying that sense of shape and form so that other's can revel in it.

A Piece

I am pleased that this painting of just her lips doesn't belie her overall expression, though in looking at the whole photo I have for reference you wouldn't guess that would be the case.

Currently

I have a nice variety of new paintings. Vastly different skin tones and mood in facial features. I'm almost done with a painting of an eye completely in shadow. (I hope you'll join in too.)

Whole Piece #31

"Whole Piece #31"
5" by 7"
Oils on Panel

"Whole Piece #31"
Side View

A Bold Endeavor  

(Well, bold in my life experience anyway. ;))

This is the first of many paintings in the Whole Piece Series that I'll be painting as a result of walking up to a perfect stranger and asking if I could take their picture. (Join in too.)

I had a plan: I would go to Grossmont College and bug strangers, I would be intrepid, I would communicate the human need for art and thus create a desire for these strangers to participate in creating art. (This would have had to have been with mental telepathy because eloquent words were not coming to me as I prepared.) 

What I actually did for quite a while was wander around looking at people intently not believing it was possible to just walk up to a stranger and ask a favor of them, and of course, I had the excuse of posting flyers about the series around the campus as I did. :P 

In the end I did it! Many people were quite generous and good natured about it (I may even do it again...). Of course I hit up several art students in the art area of campus, and that is where I met the subject of this painting. I hope she sees the painting and enjoys it. Thanks very much for collaborating with me! :) 

If anybody else from Grossmont is checking out the blog, I'll be painting randomly from the photos I took for the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye out, and a hearty thanks.

Next

I'm dipping my toe into book art this evening rather than finishing off Whole Piece #32.  Hopefully there will be some progress worth posting about. :D Cheers!