Superior Court Judge
 

Garth pretty much has been writing the book on judges lately with some stunning paintings. But here's mine, just finished--to be unveiled officially in January for the NC Superior Court.

I'm pleased about several things:

There is more air around the head than I usually compose, so it's not so claustrophobic, and I've gotten more of a feeling of depth behind things--more "space" than previously. Also, with all of the potential coolness in the robe, background, hair, etc., I wanted to introduce some warmth to the light source without everything turning too yellow, and I think I've gotten the balance I was after. My color is becoming both more self-assured, and cleaner, which is an improvement.

I would accuse myself of overmodeling the robe, but when I set a light at upper left behind the judge to rim light the hair, suddenly I became very interested in how that accent played over the folds as it traveled down. It's maybe too much, but that was a lot of the "pure painting" fun for me, so I'm keeping it this time.

Also I managed to really capture the judge's character successfully. His campaign slogan was "Firm but Fair." (NC judges are elected usually.) He served on the Superior Court bench for 22 years and just retired--great to get to know, and I enjoyed the experience a great deal.

The scan's not perfect, but it's pretty close.

Tom, this is just awesome. Your paintings have a very quiet, restrained, almost meditative quality about them - this one perhaps more so. I am deeply impressed at how economical the painting is, in the sense of what you are showing us. Nothing is extraneous, unnecessary. And even though there is a lot going on in the robe, it is all successfully rendered in a narrow value range and doesn't in any way compete with the center of interest - the face, hands. It's definitely not "too much" if you are worried. It's great. I'm captivated.

Some close-ups would be nice...

David

David--

Thanks so much for the affirmation, and the reassurance!

I'm out this afternoon, but will post closeups on my return.

Thanks again--TE

Tom,
this is a very well balanced painting ( composition and color ). For me, it's pure joy to see the folds of the robe, so I can easily understand that you had fun painting this...
Congratulations on a very successfull portrait !
and yes, please, close ups, and what are the dimensions ?

What a beautiful painting Tom.
I liked the greens very much.

What rich painting Tom! You certainly succeeded in balancing those warms and cools -- the painting has atmosphere and conveys a true sense of the man. Bravo!

(and yes! . . . please post close-ups and size :) )

As promised....

The glasses were fun to paint, as they were rimless. It became a challenge of using value jogs and reflections to paint something that "wasn't there."

Size is 48" x 42", so it has some presence. About a 10" head.

Terri, Claudemir, and Marina--I appreciate your comments very much.

Best--TE

Tom, I always say this about your paintings, but I mean it more than ever - this sense of intelligent humanity that you get in your portraits is a priceless gift you have. There's a real radiating calm in this painting. From a technical point of view, the color and edge treatment is expertly done, just as... well, everything else in this painting.

I'm going to look at the closeups again. Big congratulations on this one!

Oh, Tom, this is wonderful! I've been looking forward to seeing this ever since you mentioned the light on the robes during our Nelson Shanks weekend. At the time I was thinking, "It couldn't possibly be as wild as he thinks it is," and it's not--it's perfect--silvery and very expressive of the fabric. It's one of those controlled breakthroughs: huge internally, but handled masterfully. The color is truly beautiful and I do like the simplicity.

Also I agree with Linda about your ability to communicate "intelligent humanity." I get the impression that he's seen a lot, he'll treat people with respect and compassion, but in the end he will be fair. It's a great portrait.

Tom,

I do think this is your best so far. There is a lovely feeling of gentility, space and light in this piece. The robe is spectacular.

Portraits such as these which I usually refer to as "flag to the right or flag to the left" are difficult to make interesting and beautiful.

Friends--

These reactions are very welcome indeed...

Linda--Thanks so much. I enjoyed chatting with him about his career and the Law as we worked, and I guess that came through.

Alex--I never much felt on thin ice with it, but it's nice to know it all works okay. Thanks again for a great weekend--I learned a lot.

Sharon--This is terrific validation...I was feeling it could be a personal best, even in the middle of the work. So I slowed down and tried to absorb what I was learning. Thank God they didn't insist on a flag, but even with the lawbooks, which are notoriously busy and gaudy on the spines, I edited the detail to the bare essentials and shoved them way down into the shadows.

As to the space--I looked at DeCamp's public portraits frequently. He really let things breathe.

Tom, let me add my praise. It conveys the personality of the sitter and the rendering of the black robe is absolutely stunning.
A lot to learn here, thanks for posting
Ilaria

Tom,

Beautifully done. Those hands are as good as hands need to be.

This should at least get you out of any future speeding tickets.

Tom,
this is very well composed, I like the generous space around his head and the casual arrangement of the hands and the modest colors.
The best picture from your hand yet, in my opinion. :thumbsup:

Thanks, guys...

Ilaria and Allan, I appreciate the good words from two whose work I also admire.

Mike, thanks. I donate to the Police Benevolent Fund for the same reason. The painting's going to be hard to fit into the glovebox, though. Hee!

-T

Tom, the crowd is all in your corner and it looks good on you. Well deserved! This is, most certainly, a well executed painting and worth every cent. I truly wish you many more.

Tom,
Just saw this as I was away for a couple of days. I must add my congratulations to what has already been said. There is a very nicely established harmony between the greens and the blacks (which you handle very masterfully); and that well achieved feeling of space is very convincing. Needless to say the technique of someone who knows his craft is evident in everything from the hands to the well executed full-front head, to that robe.
He seems like a very benevolent judge.

Very well done.

Dear Tom,

I am so belated in seeing your portrait, it is really gorgeous. I feel that I could touch the robes and feel their crispness. Bravo!

Tom, it is I who should be thanking you, since you started it all by making the trip and getting me and Garth rallied. I was wondering whether seeing the show had any impact on the portrait--not that it looks like a Shanks in any way--it's all Edgerton. I always find something happens in my next or current work after I've seen some really inspiring art.

Tom - I agree with what others have already written, and have very little new to add, but will try, since I admire this very much.

I love how you've added interest with all the values in the robe, and then put similar interest into the background, by putting a flickering quality into those greens.

You're one of those artists I guess I thought was not able to get any better than you already were, (in other words, how to improve on "great"?)
But yet, this portrait shows another leap...

Mischa--Thanks very much

Carlos--I appreciate these words from a master himself.

Chris--Always rewarding to hear from you. See you in Reston.

Alex--There has been a breakthrough in thinking after seeing the show. I will probably be more comfortable with pushing the color from here on. I had felt that I needed to see those paintings at this time in my development particularly.

Julie--Thanks a lot! Richard Schmid said that when you take up painting you take on something that can't be mastered, and he's right. After every horizon is another horizon.

Well-Judged
 

This commands attention, then allows the viewer to settle down into it the narrative of the character of this man, and finally delights in the bravura of your technique. "Show them what the paint can do," is a lesson echoed by many masters I have studied with. You have done that here without compromising your subject. Bravo!

Jeanine--

Thanks so much for this affirmation!

--TE

Hi Tom!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think this is one of my favorites at all time of yours, and one of the best judicial portraits around. Beautifully painted as always, and I especially love the composition and pose. You really get of sense of personality from the subject, and I think it's by what you left in and out of the composition that makes it so.

I've nevered pursued Judicial or Military work as they seem such a stringent template to work within, but this excels at being a traditional portrait and a 21st century humanistic portrait at the same time.


Congrats, and I hope all is well.
Linda

Linda--

Thanks so much! I like the military and judicial portraits exactly for that reason--it's a challenge deal with all of the required details and still get to the spirit of the person.

Best--TE

Tom, what can I add that has not already been said? I like not only the painting, but also how you share your goals and triumphs in each painting. You have definitely achieved everything you have set out to do. Congratulations!

Thanks a lot, Enzie!

How could I have missed this one?!

I also feel this may be your personal best, Tom, and one of the best official portraits I've seen. Definitely one I will flag to look at again later for further study.

Ditto!
 

Dear Tom,

This is spectacular, and an exemplary essay in paint! It is easy to rate this portrait as your finest. I am ashamed, in company with Michele, for not addressing this masterwork sooner. Congratulations! The way you have composed this judge truly conveys his strength of character, and is in every respect a great success! May this segway into more and greater opportunities in future commissions. I can't imagine why it won't!


Best,

Garth

Michele--Thanks so much. Hope everything's going your way.

Garth--Great to hear from you and hope all is well there in Philadelphia. Thanks again for having me up...I'm finding that what we three saw there was exactly the right thing at the right time for me.

Best to you both, as always!
--TE