Violet Sun

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Here is a two week pose on a 16x20 canvas. 

I really tried to both enjoy the process of painting, incorporate more elements which I find pleasure in (black oil paint, where were you last year?!), keep the focus on the focus point, and think about the anatomy.

Overall, I relatively like it. I finally feel like I'm on to something with oils.

Also, rendering that breast and hair was far too much fun.

Still trying to experiment and learn how to integrate the bold color I enjoy strategically amidst the body...

Until next time!

Sketching is Good for You

Nothing too intensive to post today, but I did do some sketching last night. I often get bogged down by assignments and painting a lot recently, forgetting to take the time to leisurely sketch. It's very important, I think, and rejuvenates my spirit.

Man tits and nipples. Still elude me. Also still working on drawing more manly men.. believe me, years ago all my dudes looked like ladies.

Trying to remember rules and practice foreshortening--both these sketches without referring to any reference but my mind. It's getting better and it was fun to just sketch whatever... but those boobs are bothering me. Also.. that foremost shoulder should probably overlap more.... aaah! Practice, practice, practice!

Now, without further ado, I must get back to painting! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Better late than Never

Haha! You all thought I was already going to miss posting regularly, eh? Well, I guess I'm saying that because I thought it myself earlier today but furiously worked on and finished what I wanted to post....


a self-portrait a year in the making!


When I say a year, let me clarify. I started working on this last Spring of 2011 as a Portrait Painting assignment. I really worked hard on it but even felt it was lacking when I turned it in. I was determined to work more on it, but, you know... life. And so it was that it sat with the other paintings, waiting to be re-worked or painted over for future attempts.


I still really liked the painting and needed to strengthen my painting skills as well as my portfolio for my impending second Midpoint Review. Henceforth, I set to painting. Below begins the process.

Blocked in the darks...

...and then painted furiously because there were no more in process. This was the final version I turned in as the assignment. Sorely lacking, but it was the best I could do at the time with the time I had (what I learned that semester: three studio classes were too much for me, thanks).

working on it some more...

Clearly I realized, there's not that much color in my skin! Who was I kidding? White paint with a tiny smidge of skin here I come! (also had a much stronger light source)

And there it is! The "finished" product! I'm much happier with it and think I like it... I just need to look at it in the morning with natural light and when it's a bit dry--it's super shiny, shiny!

What are your thoughts? I was thinking of adding some freckles details, even though that wasn't in the photo ref., but I'm not sure if it will detract too much. : / 

Must ponder.

I feel much stronger about my overall painting and drawing skills, but also, of course, want to further improve. It seems that just when I start feeling comfortable again I realize that no, wait, you suck.   =_____=

Having said that, each drawing and each painting is that much more practice. I am constantly learning and that's what's exciting.

Also exciting... my blue hair from last year. I want to go back, but I don't have the strength in me to do all that dying again.

It sure was sweet though...

We are Strong. We will Stand and Fight.

I had wanted to have my revised portrait painting done by today so that could be my Friday post.. a glorious, year-in-the-lazy-painting process! Unfortunately, I'm still not happy with it and need to work on it some more. In the meantime, I thought I could share some thumbs for a painting I'm about to start working on. I always like seeing in-process work, so here's some of mine. I'll definitely show the finished painting once it's done.

After several ideas, #4 is the one I like the most so far. Although the reference photo was shot horizontally, there was something nice about arranging the shapes in a vertical format. It also seemed to lend more negative space to establish the dark, creepy mood I'm aiming for. What are your thoughts?

But also, let me be real. The real reason I'm not producing anything substantial today is because I am SO PUMPED to see Symphony X tonight at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco!!! It's been years since I've been to a show--way too long. I know, I'm lame. Tonight will be epic.

A quick charcoal sketch inspired by the awesome headbanging I expect to see and do tonight!

Figurative Painting

Here is my first in-class painting from my figurative painting class. This first canvas was rather small, 9x12 I believe, but that made it a bit less intimidating a process for the first two weeks. I'm looking forward to working on larger canvases and hopefully the work will come out well.

I very much enjoy the texture of paint.

Getting Ahead of Myself

So once I got home from one of my painting classes today I thought to myself, "Oh shit! Better make a blog post; I don't want to already fall behind." Lo and behold, I forgot I decided on Wednesdays and Fridays instead of Mondays and Fridays (which was what I was originally thinking but had the forethought to realize that Friday and Monday are quite close together, often sandwiched with drinking... alas that forethought of last week was not with me today).


Since I gathered some sketches anyways, here they are!

Just some fantasy character sketches... the last one I drew during this past week's Dungeons and Dragons session as a doodle of my character, Tempest Brookshire, a shifter shaman. Still working out how I'd like to depict shifters when not bloodied (which is when they "shift" or transform into their animal personas).

See you Wednesday, internet!

Yikes

Nearly two months since my last post. Doesn't that just defeat the purpose of having a blog?


Well I have been thinking of starting regular post days to facilitate more posts. I declare it shall be Wednesdays and Fridays! Rejoice!

I have two painting classes this semester so prepare for more paintings! I really want to focus these couple months and push my skills in this medium--as well as work on basic value pattern, composition, and figure drawing. I plan on working on some illustrations (and comics?!) so hopefully that will work itself out.