The Venetians - WIP
 

Not really Venetians...I used Venetian Red. Two hours and it's getting late. More tomorrow with a fresh eye.

Hi Bob,

I've only seen a few of your paintings so far but I'm impressed with the strong compostions and dramatic lines in your work. I think these are big strengths and it's great that you have them. I like the vertical line and the dark shape that stops the right side of the painting.

The only points I'd make on this one is that I wish you'd left more space on the left side of the man's head. Also, recheck the bend in the girl's elbow, the forearm looks too long here, and you may have some photo distortion going on that is misleading you.

I keep reading art articles that indicate that warm paintings are more instinctively desireable than cool ones. I don't know if this is true but I'm watching to see what you'll do with this red underpainting.

Very helpful comments...
 

Thanks, Linda, for taking the time. May have to do a new one and consider this a study. I think it has potential. Didn't do any drawing just started right in with the eyes and it kept growing to the left. Her arm is straight, so what looks like an elbow is actually poorly drawn folds. And the glasses aren't exactly right.

Normally I do a prelim on the computer and carefully plan everything to avoid these problems. Sometimes it's fun to live dangerously. The white panel is like an unmarked black diamond on a powder day. Launching yourself into the unknown is an act of faith. It's sure to be exciting and liberating, but sometimes you crash.

Did you finish it?
 

Hi Bob,
I was wondering if you ever finished this one or if you used it as a study and did another. I liked your loose approach with this and wondered if you started most of your paintings this way. Also, do you always use venetian red for your underpainting?

Mary

Answering Questions...
 

I actually started on the finished piece, set it aside, needed another panel right away the other day and painted over that start. It's now a ski village picture.

Like a lot of painters I started out painting every detail. After a while you discover it's far better to suggest something rather than try to paint it. It's like magic. I did a demo at a gallery last week. I applied a thinned mixture of Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber loosely with a rag shooting for an interesting abstract design from the very first. Then rubbed out some key light spots on the forehead, nose, cheek, shoulder, etc....dashed in a few dark shapes and suddenly the paint smear is a person. Maybe ten minutes. The rest of the time was spent refining that first impression and adding details very sparingly. Not the worlds best painting but fun to do.

The Venetians was the only time I used V. Red, but I like it and will use it again.

Bob,
Thanks for your reply and explaination of your interesting approach!
Mary

Hot Link
 

Bob, this is so nice I went directly to your website link to see more. The link isn't hot. You can fix that easily I think.

Link Check
 

Tim,

Seems to be working now. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Your link is working and well worth the trip!