Just finished day 2 on this portrait and I'm really happy with the way it's turning out! It still needs about 2 more days of work so I'm excited to see how it turns out. Feels good to be returning to my old methods.
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I had a big shift in my process and my thoughts today as I began a portrait for my neighbors. This portrait is a gift for them for taking care of my fish for me while I was away on vacation to Spring Lake. I began the portrait today after feeling lost for a while in my own thoughts about painting. So I just began painting and trying to return to myself. Trying almost to turn my brain off while I paint. The main thing that I've been feeling for a very long time is that I haven't been myself. I've been trying to be someone else and paint like someone else.
The portrait that I'm currently working on is very similar to a portrait that I painted for these same neighbors back in 2013 while I was a student. I still believe it's one of the nicer paintings that I've ever done. I did it over the course of 4 or 5 days and it's always been a guiding light for me to return to. I think a big thing is that I've been hurrying my paintings too much lately, instead of letting them rest and working in a few layers. I got too caught up in the whole alla prima recipe, which I still love but it's not the best way for me to work. It's so difficult to just listen to your own voice when other influences are so strong. It's like the whole process is stripping away all these layers to just get back to the core of who I was and who I am. I know that I can only do my best work in this manner. It's funny how you have to go backwards to go forwards sometimes. I just finished a quick sketch of a golden retriever puppy and decided to do a step-by-step slideshow to show some of my sketching technique. When I'm drawing or painting, my main goal is to go from broad and generic to defined and detailed. I try and start with a general outline gesture to place the main components of the drawing, then I work on shading and go deeper with the detail. Since this was a sketch, it's not super detailed, but I like the way it turned out and hopefully it sheds some light on my sketching technique! Follow me on instagram for more art! I wanted to write a post because I won't be in contact for a week for commissions via my website or Instagram. I'm going to be in Madrid, Spain with my girlfriend from Wednesday July 4th until the following Wednesday, July 11th. I'm still accepting new commissions, but this week will be a break for me so I'll respond to any inquiries when I get back. I'm super excited to travel abroad and get to see some great museums like the Prado and the Sorolla house.
Last year I was visiting one of my best friends in Chicago around this same time so I'm happy to be traveling again. I'll be bringing my sketchbook and can't wait to share some photos from my trip once I'm back! |
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