Julian
 

Julian, oil on linen, 40" x 30"

This is of my son, in his usual attire. Not exactly a formal portrait.

Beautiful, Alex! The simple shapes and value scheme create a commanding composition, beautiful brushwork, too -

Beautiful Alex!

As Chris expresses, there is something commanding and powerful in Julian's pose amplified by the chair and setting, and something very penetrating too. It reminds me of several equally penetrating portraits by Thomas Eakins in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Commendable!

Garth

Great lighting! I really like the pose, it compliments his age and what he is wearing.

Thank you, Chris, Garth and Bianca!

The pose was partially my son's idea. We tried several variations and this seemed to be the most interesting. I had a lot of doubt about leaving the space at the top. I haven't really left something empty like that, yet the particular pose and the mood created by the pose and expression seemed to call for it. When I blocked out the top with my hand, he looked crowded, somehow, and the painting was weaker. Garth was over at my studio one day and helped convince me to leave the space!

This is a strong, strong work.

You're right about the weight of the canvas at the top. There's something about it that has atmosphere and weight that continues down into the shoulders and arms. Interesting that a "void" like that could have such emotional presence.

Beautiful work, Alex!

I like the design of the painting, the way you fitted in the figure and the chair into that space. I am glad Garth helped convince you to leave the space --
Lovely technique as usual, and as expected from you. I especially like the handling of the face, hair and clothes.

What a fine piece to start the year with!

It's great, Alex!!

The pose would do for a strong sculpture as well because the space within and around him is so telling.

Thank you, Tom, Carlos, and Allan!

Tom, it thrills me that you use the word strong to describe this work. I feel very happy about that. And I am so glad you think the empty space works.

Carlos, I'm pleased that you, too, like the spatial arrangement. As for starting the New Year, I can tell you it feels great to be back working on portraits after spending the greater part of this year, and some of last year, working on landscapes. Now that my show is hung I am going to go back to painting people for a while!

Allan, thank you for that thought about the three-dimensional space. As I was setting up the pose I was reminded a little of Rodin's sculpture, The Thinker.

Another great piece Alex.

great sculptural feel, Alex! very well done. The skintones are great - love the way the eyes were handled.

Thank you, Bonfim and Julie! I really appreciate your comments. Julie, I am glad you like the skin tones. I don't often use viridian for shadow areas but since the background was greenish I thought I would try it. As I was painting remembered how easily viridian mixes with cadmiums to produce lovely half tones and shadow areas. A lot of fun!

direct with ease
 

如臂使指
r

SB, can you elaborate in English?

Habdsome son and a very Handsome Painting!

Alex,

Just came across this one. Beautiful job! The surface is so rich and descriptive. And you have such a beautiful way of capturing atmosphere. Really lovely. I'm jealous!

David

Thank you, Patty! It's nice to hear.

Thank you, David--you are very encouraging. Ever since seeing Sargent's work in person, especially The Boit Children, I've wanted to figure out how he created atmosphere so well. Cecilia Beaux does it equally well, I think. It's that illusion of air that I'm always striving for.

Alex,
I'm thrilled that you said this. I was thinking that he was in the act of thought, yet not tying it to Rodin at first viewing. Very good space around the figure also.

Clayton, thank you--I'm glad the illusion of space is convincing. My son is definitely a deep thinker, but there was no intentional effort to relate this to Rodin. I just noticed it while I was painting him. Funny how these things happen!