Finished a quick self-portrait (posted on my other blog here) and then started this one because...well, I just need to paint a lot more and there were a lot of things that I would have changed with the first portrait of my niece had I given myself more time.
Again, there would be some things that I would change in the face, but I'm calling this done, so that I can move on to the next painting. I think that the painting is showing what my nephew will look like in the next couple of years and not exactly how he looks now. Let's just say that I did that on purpose, and that's the way I approach painting now. With these canvases, you see into the future ! ! ! It's strange how the thumbnail of the whole canvas makes him look even older whereas the detail to the right shows that it's not that bad.
It felt good to paint with a palette knife again which I did on a lot of the canvas' surface except for the face. Actually, maybe one more hour on certain areas could really bring the piece together, but we'll see how things go. I'd still like to make some changes to the first portrait (of my older niece) that I finished a few weeks ago...
We're really working on getting a show together in the next 4-8 weeks, and Rivero knows two people (can't say yet because everyone likes surprises) that may be down for a group show of paintings and drawings which would be great! More on that as the space and details become more finalized.
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Yes, it is late, but I just had to draw Gareth Keenan's face while watching the first episode of The Office again on Netflix.
Rivero's taking a few days off from all his usual posts here, so your stuck with me. He went to Lauren's graduation party today (congrats, Lauren! Sorry I couldn't make it), and was about to enjoy a 14" chorizo the last time I spoke with him on the phone. C'mon people. Keep it clean.
note: According to IMDB, Mackenzie Cook did a movie called Sex Lives of the Potato Men.
I need to wake up early and continue working on the painting below. I also need to rework that t-shirt design or just start a new one.
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Please check out this Threadless page to critique a design I put up. Is it not clear enough? I almost put the drawing on a white t-shirt, so please leave a comment and check one of those boxes to let me know what you think.
I've never had a cat myself, but the ones my friends and family members have are hilarious and really interesting.
Now, if I can just avoid sitting in front of a computer for 24 hours, I'll be a happy person.
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update: 6-13-2008: Design removed. Awwwww...
Didn't have a drawing on the canvas before putting down the first paint, so I've been struggling a little with the face as you can see from the photo of the canvas on the easel. Thinking back to a few stages before the one you see, my nephew's face wasn't turning out that bad, but I didn't want to half-ass any of this series of portraits.
Sometimes Rivero asks me about color choices, and I think it's best not to worry about it too much especially this early in the process. I looked at my palette and basically went with colors that were neglected when I painted a portrait of my niece recently. Of course, it's great to know color theory and be adept at mixing paint, but if the structure isn't there, then you get something like what we have here. I'm confident that the next pass will result in a better likeness, so I'm just enjoying painting.
I'm definitely going to do a full body of the next person--probably my other niece--to change it up. It would be nice to find a nice spot in one of our houses, so I can incorporate some furniture and and perspective elements in the next composition.
I know it's the third post today, and I'm not trying to hog the blog (sounds dirtier than it should), but some of you subscribe, so we don't want to wait too long in between posts. And yes, that's a cut water bottle sitting on the easel. I couldn't find a big plastic cup anywhere to hold some water. Have to keep those brushes clean...
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My niece took this group shot.
The Spock doll lives.
Just a couple because I was too lazy to get up and take them myself.
