Seated Nude Painting Self

[Dave McKnight]

Originally Posted by Garth Herrick

Dave,

I love how you have created an interesting integrated compositional affinity between your seated self-figure and the angularity of your studio furnishings, both structurally and by color. The commendable surrounding design compliments your body imagery well, in your boldly executed self-portrait. How much time did you need on this? I really like the spontaneous appearance.

Garth

Thanks Garth. The integration of surroundings and self is a key part of what I'm trying to do with this one. My initial sitting with this was several weeks ago and, in that session I blocked, in the overall composition fairly quickly and spontaneously. After that, things slowed down quite a bit. Although it might look like it was done fast, I've probably put in at least 24 hours on this and I'm still not done.

Dave

[Dave McKnight]

Originally Posted by Terri Ficenec

Well done, David! I imagine it'd be hard to hold that pose long enough to paint it . . . (hope you gave yourself lots of breaks )

Thanks, Terri. I don't pose like a model. I frequently change positions and I try to construct the painting based on rough estimates of the mass rather than in more sight-size approach. In the end, my last pose wins over what came before. The leg over knee hurts after a while but, at that point, I rest my leg and focus on things that don't require that part of the pose.

Dave

[Dave McKnight]

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

I like this very much, David, but (since this is in critiques) I'm wondering if you could lose the roll of paper towels on the left side.

Have you tried working in daylight, or does your daily schedule not permit it? I really believe that skin looks best in diffuse indoor daylight from a single high light source. Of course you might not believe in the concept of putting yourself in the best possible lighting condition, but when I paint a self portrait I sure give myself all the help I can get.

Thanks Linda,

So the towels distract? I wasn't sure about that element, myself. I was thinking it helped block an exit from the canvas but perhaps it's pulling eyes away from the subject. In my next session, they will likely have moved anyway, so I'd consider killing it.

For this painting, I'm not really after naturalistic skin tones - I'm more interested in being faithful to the lightling environment I happen to paint in, however flawed that might be. For other work, I would love to paint in daylight but I'm at work on weekdays, while evenings and weekends I'm usually preoccupied with the kids. My chance for painting is confined to late at night.

Dave

[Julie Deane]

Hi -

Nice work! I noticed the warm tones too, and just have to put my two cents in about a good daylight type flourescent light bulb,

Go to: http://www.1000bulbs.com/

The product no. is FC42/S65

It's really made a difference for me (thanks, Kim Dow, for recommending the site!).

[Kimberly Dow]

Nicely done Dave! I think the entire composition is clever.

I do agree with Linda about the paper towels.

Julie, I have virtually no memory - if I recommended that site I have forgotten. But I am glad you posted it since I need some bulbs - Im going to go check it out right now!

[Michele Rushworth]

These are the same ones I use -- they're excellent and are much closer to natural daylight color than anything else I've seen.

[John Reidy]

Dave-

I just saw your piece and I want to tell you I love the concept, design and construction of the painting. The marriage of your form into your surroundings brings to my mind the intimate relationship between the artist and his/her surroundings or studio.

I agree with the idea of removing the paper towels, they seem to distract at the present. However, when I imgine the composition with nothing I feel that the easel will fall off the left side. I believe you are correct in placing a stabilizing element here but maybe not so obvious. I hope to see it when you are done.

As for bulbs, if you can use fluorescent I recommend Lumichrome 1XX 6500k CRI 98 Full Spectrum Lamps. You can locate them at www.lumiram.com/fluorescent.html. I use the 40 watt and they surpass anything else I have tried. (I like the multiple light source in your painting)

[Dave McKnight]

Originally Posted by Julie Deane

Hi -

Nice work! I noticed the warm tones too, and just have to put my two cents in about a good daylight type flourescent light bulb,

Go to: http://www.1000bulbs.com/

The product no. is FC42/S65

It's really made a difference for me (thanks, Kim Dow, for recommending the site!).

Thanks for the link, Julie. I've bookmarked that site so I can investigate later. How many of these bulbs does it take to give you bright enough environment? I wonder how the different types of daylight bulbs compare to one another.

Dave

[Dave McKnight]

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

Nicely done Dave! I think the entire composition is clever.

I do agree with Linda about the paper towels.

Julie, I have virtually no memory - if I recommended that site I have forgotten. But I am glad you posted it since I need some bulbs - Im going to go check it out right now!

Thanks, Kimberly. It's taken me a couple days to fully realise how distracting those towels are. I'll make sure I correct that when I'm back at it.

Dave

[Dave McKnight]

Originally Posted by John Reidy

Dave-

I just saw your piece and I want to tell you I love the concept, design and construction of the painting. The marriage of your form into your surroundings brings to my mind the intimate relationship between the artist and his/her surroundings or studio.

I agree with the idea of removing the paper towels, they seem to distract at the present. However, when I imgine the composition with nothing I feel that the easel will fall off the left side. I believe you are correct in placing a stabilizing element here but maybe not so obvious. I hope to see it when you are done.

As for bulbs, if you can use fluorescent I recommend Lumichrome 1XX 6500k CRI 98 Full Spectrum Lamps. You can locate them at www.lumiram.com/fluorescent.html. I use the 40 watt and they surpass anything else I have tried. (I like the multiple light source in your painting)

I''m happy that I've managed to communicate this relationship to you. That's where I feel I've been successful with this one and it's a step forward for me. I've found that I can do well composing this on-the-fly by simply emphasizing those relationships that I see working. I'm not sure how I'll replace the towels but I have faith that I'll discover something I can do this with.

Thanks for the lighting link!

Dave