A quick update to show some progress of my still life painting and to share some methodology from the Florence Academy of Art (FAA). The process so far has been a traditional academic approach going preparatory sketches to finished work. This painting started out with some thumbnail sketches that only focus on value relationships (not detail). Squinting can be helpful throughout the process to keep values simplified--I personally don't squint very much, but it's good to test it out and see what works. The next step was to paint small scale studies. We're not using transfer drawings for the still life, but we are for a larger figurative painting.
We're using a limited palette of: Titanium white, cad. yellow light, yellow ochre, cad red light, ultramarine blue, burnt umber and ivory black. I added a touch of burnt sienna also because the burnt umber that I got from Zecchi is very cool and almost like a Van Dyck brown. Earth pigments can have a variety differences based on where they are mined from. I've always enjoyed limited palettes because it allows me to focus more on arranging values. I like experimenting with colors, but my regular working palette has only a few extra colors beyond this limited palette. FAA also works in sight-size, which is a method where you stand in a specific spot so that your canvas lines up with the subject matter. It's a method that allows the artist to transfer over measurements from a certain vantage point. I find the method to be very structured and works within a framework of specific circumstances. Either way, it's taught me the importance of stepping back from my work and seeing the painting as a whole. *You'll see the photo of my still life below was taken at a different angle from my sight size viewing location. The process is very rigorous and has pushed my skill level further. It can be a difficult process mentally and physically and reminds me of training for athletics. I'm very thankful for this MA program because I've always wanted to learn these time-honored methods. We had class today and my still life is still in progress so I'll share more as it develops! No class tomorrow so I'll be getting chores done and taking it easy :)
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