Oil Sketch - Ivan

Julie Gerleman · 12-08-2007, 01:32 PM

Hello,

Here is a recent oil sketch I did at the Colorado Academy of Art last week. If anyone's in the area, they have great classes as well as about 4 open studios per week, clothed and nude models.

This is Ivan. He was kind enough to pose with his eyes closed. While it wasn't for my benefit I had enough to be going on with still getting used to colors/value/temperature! I was working with a very limited palette - Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black and Titanium White (I think that's it.) It really helped a lot. I was especially surprised by the lovely green I was able to get with black/white/yellow ochre. Who woulda thunk?

Any comments are welcome.

Thanks for looking.

Julie Gerleman · 12-08-2007, 01:35 PM

Here's a detail that's had "Auto Levels" applied in PS. I really can't tell if it's closer to the original. Seems like the original is somewhere in-between.

Edit: Actually, this looks a bit too yellow-ey. I'll have to tweak with it a bit more.

Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco · 12-08-2007, 02:24 PM

Julie, this is a strong and well structured study, with a nice and loose feeling to it.
I also like his position in the canvas (but be careful to the prominence of your signature).
You painted his neck very convincingly which is ever important to support the head correctly, there is maybe just one stroke on the forehead that is slightly too dark and and warm for that area.
A very good achievement for a limited palette
Ilaria

Mischa Milosevic · 12-08-2007, 03:53 PM

Julie, this is awesome! Grate foundation. The proportion, value balance and a good sense of dimension are all there. I know you had fun with this one.

Julie Deane · 12-08-2007, 07:40 PM

Nice job, Julie!

Julie Gerleman · 12-08-2007, 08:10 PM

Thank you everyone! I've been having a blast with these open studio sessions and classes at the Academy. What fun!

I'm still trying to figure out my signature. I agree this one's a bit too prominent.

Alexandra Tyng · 12-08-2007, 10:49 PM

Julie,

I agree with the other comments about this having good proportions, solidity, and placement on the canvas. I am admiring your brushstrokes and edges and color transitions as the planes of the head and neck turn. I also think the facial hair is very convincing and not fussed over. It must have been fun to do.

Julie Gerleman · 12-10-2007, 03:29 PM

Thank you Alexandra, it WAS fun to do! Whenever I run into a confidence problem with color I try to just pick a similarly-valued blob of paint that's neutral and then go for getting the proportions correct. That helps.