Tai Kwon Do

Jeanine Jackson · 03-13-2002, 02:15 PM

16 x 20 oil started today. I am doing a portrait demonstration at a frame shop on Saturday, and think this is a good starting point...? Comments welcome.

(By the way, I used a "quiet brush" recommended in husband thread, and it made this primilnary painting much more fun!)

Karin Wells · 03-13-2002, 10:52 PM

This is a nice beginning and in many ways, the freshness of it makes me really like it just as it is...

However since you intend to continue on, I want to make two suggestions:

1. The next time you pick up your brush, be sure to determine the exact light source in order to clearly differentiate light from shadow.

2. Be sure to eventually "ground" the figure with a horizontal line to indicate floor and wall.

Good luck with the demo! Will it make you nervous to paint in front of a crowd? The thought of it would scare me...

Jeanine Jackson · 03-14-2002, 10:14 AM

Great observations, Karin.

The light source is confusing from photo source. I think it is high over left side of canvas casting shadow under hair. I will restate that more clearly on canvas.

I plan to make a landscape backgound... soft and suggestive. The violet is merely a wash.

FYI, I tried a new starting technique with this painting inspired by time contraints. After sketching on the canvas lightly with carbon, I reduced the number of lines to an almost coloring-book outline and went over them in permanent magic marker. This allowed me to tone the canvas without losing a thing, and forced me to apply thick paint right away. It's really fun! Is this totally unconventional? Did rennaissance masters have there student slaves do something like this before painting, especially large works?

Karin Wells · 03-14-2002, 01:29 PM

It looks to me as if the light source is directly over her head (and if anything, it is ever so slightly to the viewer's left).

I don't think that your methods are unconventional...in fact, I've done it myself

)

I know that Rubens often did a small oil sketch in full color and his helpers blew it up on a grid and "copied it" onto canvas...color and all. Near the completion of the painting, the Master would come in and add his signature brushstrokes. In Ruben's studio, he also had those helpers who specialized, i.e.,those who were skilled in painting such things as animals and other who specialized in plants. Some of those old works had many hands producing the final piece.

Ahhhhh.....I long for the good old days.....

Jeanine Jackson · 03-14-2002, 02:20 PM

Thank you, Karin!
I agree about lighting... This discussion was important for me to clarify that and will be carried through the rest of the painting.

To your earlier question: I would be extremely nervous to start a portrait in public. Once it's going, I could be painting aboard the Titanic and not notice the listing... lol

Patt Legg · 03-14-2002, 10:55 PM

Karin--you mentioned other students working on pieces of Rubens artwork and I have read about this somewhat. I just ran into this in my small hometown. A business had this local artist's painting hanging for sale and initialed by artist--the artist I know very well, but then another person came in who had recently studied under the first person (the one painting the picture) and she said that she actually did that painting. I guess it just seems sad that he signs his name and has the credit for it, not the other artist at all.

Do you hear of this happening today in your area? The odd thing is that the business owner was also there and heard this and seemed quite surprised at all of this.

Just curious,
Patt

Lon Haverly · 03-14-2002, 11:06 PM

Please show us the rest when it is done! Very cool subject.

I like as few lines as possible, too, when I paint. Where is the thread on "Quiet brushes?" Mine are usually pretty quiet, but they could get noisy when I am away, perhaps. They could be mad at the way I keep them!

Jeanine Jackson · 03-14-2002, 11:43 PM

"Critique" is the thread, I believe from several days ago...

Karin Wells · 03-15-2002, 12:38 AM

Quote:

...and she said that she actually did that painting. I guess it just seems sad that he signs his name and has the credit for it, not the other artist at all.

I gather that in Rubens' time this was not only acceptable, but standard. It certainly isn't a common practice now

...unless the artist doesn't know any better.

Jeanine Jackson · 03-24-2002, 01:34 PM

Here is the current stage... Thank you all for additional comments.