glass beads

I added 40/70 grit glass abrasive blasting beads to the primer I used on this panel. Even through two topcoats of gesso, this made a huge improvement in the way the surface holds paint. It is much closer to good oil-primed linen. The extra surface area from the slight additional texture completely changes the 'grab' of the surface.

The painting was a bit of a challenge because the model made two pose changes after I started. 16.5" x 14" - 3 hours.

more free

The drawing is still too tentative, but at least some of the paint handling was more bold. 17.5" x 13.5" - 3 hours.

strong light

There was a bright single light on the model,  so I made that the theme. Also finally got a couple of props in one of these portrait sessions! Since I didn't have a lot of time for them, the flowers and table were just flung on unconsciously. The face and hair looked ok after just two values, so I quit them while I was ahead. 14" x 16.5" - 3 hours.

rotisserie chicken

The studio had blazing lights everywhere and was incredibly hot, so I just tried to do the minimum to survive and get this done. Also I realized that backgrounds can and should be telling their own story. So just chasing around lights in the background, somehow seems to make an emotive commentary on the subject. 16.5" x 14.5" - 3 hrs.

fast figure

Worked quickly in the correct order of quick linear under paint to main darks of setting and figure. I've settled into something of a formula for flesh tones so I don't need to keep hunting around for modeling tones. I'm gravitating to an aesthetic of equal development of the whole image. 13.5" x 18" - 3 hours + touchup time.

back to 3 hr. stuff

I think I must be gradually getting a little better, because managing a full figure sketch in one session used to be more than I could handle.

local workshop

This was a 2 week session. Models held poses all day in a crowded studio at a nearby community college. These are 3 ft. paintings, so it was a chance to loosen up with big brushes.