Morten finally
 

Morten,

Those of you who have seen this painting of Morten in the WIP section will know that there was an interlude of a burning roof and delay of painting it.
The remaining part at that time was mainly the lower half with the arms and table. I also decided to widen the painting by 5 CM on both sides.

The painting is now in a show where I had a few shots at it today.

I add some details too. There were some glares on the top of the pictures from today so I used a detail of the head from an earlier state where only the collar is changed a bit.

70 x 55 CM oil on canvas.

Allan

Allan,
This is terrific. I admire the way you handle the paint and love your colors.

Mary

Oh, Allan! I love everything about this portrait and seeing it finished is a real treat for the eyes.

Conceptually it really grabs me. His intense eyes would be enough by themselves, but combine them with his mixture of sensuous and slightly aescetic face and body language (arm position) and you get a really powerful portrait that appeals on many levels. Many women will love this (hey, I'm 52 but that doesn't make me immune to his charms) but men will love it, too, because it is so much more than a portrait of a good-looking man. He is totally an individual. The fact that you have captured all this is remarkable.

In other words, it has "retina-burn" galore. I hope you enter this in a BIG competition.

Now on to the technical level. This is also a winner because of your total command of composition and mood, as well as edges, color temperature, value, etc. I especially love your big, broad brushstrokes. Thanks for posting those closeups.

Okay,enough already! You get the idea.

Alex

Hi buddy...

That's great!
I liked it very, very much. I liked the composition and the rythym, and also the way you inserted that table, when I saw the reference photo I wondered how you would portray the arms, and that was a good idea.
Your impasto is great!

Thank you Mary, Alex and Bonfim for your appraisals.

Alex,
Your very generous analyze totally humbled me so I had to go out into my garden to think of something else to say, than "I agree". ;)

When I was younger I used to be almost paralyzed in the company of beautiful people, but now I merely think "good for you" and try to look at my models as they are in the whole, body and mind. Actually I find that beauty is more and more a psychological thing.

One of the visitors, at the varnishing day, said that I seems to like my models. I am glad that it shows.

Thanks again, Allan

The way you did his hands reminds me of Shanks.

Bonfim,
This is the hands of Pavarotti. I have once met his double. He lives in Mehamn in the northern of Norway and is a fantastic singer too.

Notice how Shanks crosshatch his lines rather than draw along them.

Allan

Allan,

This is just wonderful, even without the 'window'.

It is an intense beutifully painted picture of a young man. If only my brushstrokes were so loose!

Sharon,
Thank you and sorry for the "window" That was a real joker and I almost regret that it was not for real.

About loose brushstrokes; I am not quite sure that so very many of our clients really appreciate too loose works. They seems to think that 100 strokes are better than 1.
It

I couldn't agree more, Allan. I just typed a long response and my internet service was interrupted! This will be short in comparison. I can't tell you how many times people see the tiny image on my business card and, thinking to compliment me, say, "Wow, this looks just like a photograph!" I just grit my teeth inwardly, smile outwardly, and say "Well, if you saw it in real life you would definitely see a difference," and then they seem to realize that it's not desirable to look like a photo, but it's a friendly exchange, and usually we end up having a short conversation about it.

Artists often are reluctant to loosen up even if they want to, because their clients prefer a highly finished style. It can be very frustrating.

It's so important that people understand that it takes a lot of skill and practice for artists to describe something with a few descriptively accurate brustrokes.

Did someone already say retina-burn? This is astonishing. Congratulations.

That conundrum between looser and tighter brushwork winning higher points with the buying public does seem to go on and on, doesn't it? However, a wonderful painting is just that and transcends categorization. In my humble opinion... Janet

Gosh, Allan! What a terrific painting, such a feeling of energy and power in those strokes and in how you've caught this man's alert athleticism. I love the way you have dashed in those hands and how you direct our attention to the face, which you've painted with insight and sensitivity. I sure wish I could say that I had painted this one.

Alex,
I should so have liked to read your whole essay about not getting too close to reality.

I know why I want to incorporate the looseness in the painting. That is because I love to see the paint and the brush strokes - the process.

I like the vignette character and try to make a space for it even in a finished work. It makes a sort of vibrato to the whole expression, much like the one in the impressionistic paintings by Monet, though not only related to color but also to the shape of things.

Allan

Thank you very much Janet and Linda,

I really enjoy being part of this forum and getting response from wonderful artists like you.

Allan

Allan, this is awesome! I really enjoy looking at your work. Thank you for posting.

Sincere regards,

mischa

Allan,
it's a very intense portrait ! I like the black and white contrast in his clothes, it helps his eyes looking more intense.
Very strong piece!

Lovely Alan! Love the brushwork!

I love this -- so much power in the gaze, the color and the brushwork!

Well said Alex; I couldn't agree more.

Allan this portrait is astonishing to behold! In my mind, this is among the very strongest portraits yet posted. The energy, conviction, and implied animation in Morten is breathtaking through the virtuosity of your brushwork. I defy anyone to do better.

You better win something BIG with this portrait! Congratulations, you do inspire us!

Garth

I don't have any extra to add to what has already been said, but I love how you have done this painting. Your work is an inspiration...

Thank you my dear friends,
I am so humbled by all the appreciations you give me because I know that you all have played a part in making me want to take portraiture further than I used to. If not for you I would still be painting a portrait now and then in an impressionistic manner.

This portrait opportunity has become so dear to me and opened my eyes to the possibility of filling a niche, and who knows, maybe make a living.

I take your advice and will try to enter it into a competition. The problem is that I don

I'll e-mail you some more suggestions.

Tremendous painting, Allan: it looks effortless, as if it just flowed from your hand. There is not a trace of angst or indecision in your brushwork.

Simon

Allan, I have admired this painting, of yours, for a while now and I agree with all the comments already posted. I can't believe I have not voiced it already but I have many times. I just now got around to post it. Grate job Allan!

Sincere regards,
mischa

Allan,
i thought i had already posted on this painting, but find I had not. This painting is so smashingly good that I would be remiss in not telling you so.

What I like most about it is your distinctive style. It is so you and so vibrantly alive. Over time you may find ways to add to your technical prowess, but do not change your style. I agree with Garth it is an award winner. Let us know how many gold medals you end up hanging on your easel.

By the way you could easily make a living doing portraits. Time to advertise, advertise, advertise!

"I'll e-mail you some more suggestions."
Alex,

Thank you for being so supportive, I will go for your suggestions.
Allan


"Tremendous painting, Allan: it looks effortless, as if it just flowed from your hand. There is not a trace of angst or indecision in your brushwork."

Simon,
thank you Simon, I think that I managed to catch the degree of action in the brushwork that I was hoping for.
By the way, I think that this "flow" is also one of your characteristics. I liked to watch your WIP of the boy with the dog.
Allan


"Allan, I have admired this painting, of yours, for a while now and I agree with all the comments already posted. I can't believe I have not voiced it already but I have many times. I just now got around to post it. Grate job Allan!"
Mischa,
I think that you have said that, but I like to hear it again and again and......... :)
Thanks, Allan


"I thought i had already posted on this painting, but find I had not. This painting is so smashingly good that I would be remiss in not telling you so.
What I like most about it is your distinctive style. It is so you and so vibrantly alive. Over time you may find ways to add to your technical prowess, but do not change your style. I agree with Garth it is an award winner. Let us know how many gold medals you end up hanging on your easel.
By the way you could easily make a living doing portraits. Time to advertise, advertise, advertise!"

Richard,
I trust you and have already taken action on advertising in the form planing to submit portraits to a competition.
Allan