Figure in Turban

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Here is painting I finished today, although after posting it I see that I may just have to add some bulk to the left hand side of the turban and make the background recede a bit more there too.

It is 30" (h) x 40" (w), oil on canvas. I posted what it looked like previously in the works on progress section to give some idea of the changes I made to it before it seemed finished. Here is that thread.

[Heidi Maiers]

Wonderful Thomasin. Your paintings have so much life and energy - I love them!

[Garth Herrick]

I ditto Heidi!

Thomasin, this is rich. I love the apparent spontaneity, and textured space at the top. You've made excellent decisions. Love the understated color too.

I'm amazed at how well you change and transform your paintings.

Garth

[Alexandra Tyng]

Thomasin,

The turban and the drape give this figure an androgynous quality that is quite interesting, but not disconcerting, because the smiling face reassures the viewer.

As usual I am in awe of the way you model flesh with so little value range. In this painting the skin is particularly lifelike and glowing, as if the model came straight out of the sauna. There is a fluid quality to the highlights that I admire. I'm particularly drawn to the way you have modeled the cheekkbones, nose (particularly the bottom of the nose), and the skin under the chin where there is some reflected light. The smile is also so well-handled in that it is natural, not frozen. That is very hard to do!

Overall, there's an impression of a limited color range, but when you look closely, there are so many colors used to modify the larger areas. Very subtle. I love it!

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Heidi - thank-you very much. (I've been having your sculptures roll around my mind as I am trying one of my own at the moment. It really has renewed my appreciation of your work. You are very good and truly do deserve what your client said about your posthumous miniature pieces.)

Garth - thank-you for your comments and your own paintings which were a good part of what inspired me (along with Balthus, Velasquez, Goya and Degas) to do and change this one for the better.

Alex - thank-you very much for your considered comments. I am pleased you do like this one. My paintings lead me a certain way towards a narrative but I always like to leave things unexplained, keeping that feeling of possibility in a work which makes me want to paint more. That kind of sweet dissatisfaction like leaving off eating something yummy without being totally full, therefore always waiting for the next opportunity to have more.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

I loved the lighting. Great job!

[Carlos Ygoa]

Your work has a quality and level to it that shows an artist who is sincere and strives to please herself -- traits which make me have a healthy envy and respect. I admire very much your economy of brushstroke , your ability to suggest while not defining too much, saying plenty with very little. The use of the brush is bold while the use of colour is subtle. Congratulations!

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Thank-you Claudemir and Carlos. Carlos, you appreciate just what I hope to be achieving in my work.

[Marina Dieul]

Thomasin,
when I saw this, I immediately thought to Chardin's self portraits, because of the turban, I think, the texture, and also the sincerity...
Your colors have a special quality which are very unique to you. ( would you share with us your palette? )
I also like very much your composition.
Very nice work!

[Sharon Knettell]

Thomasin,

Another beautiful painting. It has that wonderful roly-poly generosity of Flemish-Dutch painting. It is alive, real and humorous at the same time.

I love the way you control your flesh tones within such a subtle range.