Figure on gesso panel

William Whitaker · 02-10-2005, 02:40 AM

Since Cynthia has opened an area for nudes, an area that I'm sure going to make much more work for her, I thought I'd post several images leading to the production of a small figure painting.

The painting is based on this drawing.

It was done using a pastel pencil. I used a kneaded eraser to remove highlights.

I felt it worked out well enough for me to translate it into an oil.

William Whitaker · 02-10-2005, 11:08 PM

At one time Rob Howard was thinking about manufacturing gesso panels, real chalk gesso on cradled hardboard. It was my good fortune at he sent me a 12x16

William Whitaker · 02-10-2005, 11:10 PM

I finally got around to toning and sizing the gesso. My tone was made of raw umber (a fast dryer) and ultramarine blue. I added copal painting medium, the copal serving to strengthen the thinned paint and size and seal the very absorbent gesso. I thinned the mess out with turpentine too.

William Whitaker · 02-10-2005, 11:10 PM

I brushed on the tone and then wiped it down with the Scott Rags I keep in my studio.

William Whitaker · 02-10-2005, 11:12 PM

A few days later I started the painting. I began with a brush drawing and quickly got into color. I kept my brushwork as light and open for as long as possible. I stopped working before it began to get difficult. Had I continued longer, I could have begun to paint the life out of the work.

William Whitaker · 02-10-2005, 11:13 PM

I finished it off to my satisfaction in a second session. I did this a day or two after the initial paint had dried. Before picking up my brush again, I went over the surface with my painting knife and scraped down any paint ridges that could get in the way of the form when the painting was complete. I used filbert bristle brushes mostly, always the biggest sizes possible. I paint with a very light touch. Remember, if you apply the paint with a light touch, you can paint wet over wet without turning the surface into a muddy road. If you paint with a heavy hand, you are digging paint up and either moving it or removing it.

That

Maria Nemchuk · 02-11-2005, 01:55 PM

Dear Bill,

What a treat! Thank you so much for posting this!
I hope to take your workshop someday too ...

Maria

Tom Edgerton · 02-11-2005, 02:22 PM

Mr. Whitaker--

Thanks so much for this demo...your work continues to be an inspiration.

Best--TE

Claudemir Bonfim · 02-11-2005, 04:18 PM

Simply beautiful.

You know I love your work.

Garth Herrick · 02-11-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Edgerton

Mr. Whitaker--

Thanks so much for this demo...your work continues to be an inspiration.

Best--TE

Everyone has expresses it better already, but I want to echo that this demo is an invaluable asset to the Forum community, and will inform and inspire better paintings from many.

I love the punchy background and the way it chromatically supports the figure. Hopefully one day I can take a pilgrimage and see your works in person.

Garth