Here is the other image from previous post. Try to observe closely to see the values in the flesh and how the additions help to build the three dimensionality. I taught myself how to paint by closely observing the best art. I would have appreciated t having examples of the development of the painting in layers. I hope this is helpful for you. Diana
Monthly Archives: October 2024
Mother and Baby
I loaded two photos and inserted them both, I don’t know if they will both show up and I won’t know until I post this. I have been painting some smalls for a show featuring smalls to sell. I enjoy these even though I have always concentrated on life size portraits which is the image I am posting today. I found a beautiful frame at a thrift shop in Ohio a few years ago. I thought this mother and baby should really look good in the frame. Since this frame is a size that is not standard, I would have to pay a high price for a custom made linen canvas. So, I decided to make my first attempt at constructing an archival linen canvas panel. My husband bought a piece of birch plywood and cut it to fit the frame I mentioned. I painted it with a sealant and then cut pre primed linen which I glued carefully to the panel using a special archival glue. After it was dry, I painted the imprimatura layer using a mixture of burnt umber and ultra marine blue, wiping it down to the shade and value I wanted. I transferred the drawing as I have shown you before and then I emphasized the darks with the same paint I had used for the imprimatura. When dry, I used a lead white equally mixed with titanium white to begin marking the brights to established the three dimensionality of the image. I always try to make photos of every stage of the portrait painting. If both of the images show up here you will be able to see the progress of this procedure. This process is one of the most important parts of making a painting in a style of realism. It can be a slow process for students to master this stage. It takes an artistic trained eye to see the value shifts in flesh tones as well as clothing and background; even more skill to show this on the canvas with paint using only the pressure of the brush or a heavier application of the paint. These are the kinds of things we discuss and practice in our class. I have been greatly blessed to be learning these skills. My students are excited and encouraged as they begin to see results and improve these skills. I try to post often when I am actively working on a painting so that my viewers can give this a try too with the examples to guide them. I hope you all find this as rewarding as I do. Till next time, Shalom, Diana
A National Treasure
I felt I must post this photo. This is the baby gown I rescued from a dark, damp garage area of an antique store. I could not bear to see this master work left unrecognized and forgotten forever. I believe it is fine linen. Every stitch, not only the embroidery, is hand done. I found it dingy and covered with tiny rust colored spots, maybe mold. It only had a few baby food stains. I treated it with Dawn dish soap and some Shout stain treatment. I left it soak for 24 hours and then washed it by hand with more Dawn. Then I rinsed it well and laid it on a towel to dry.
I am hoping to locate a museum that specializes in hand made clothing. If anyone has any suggestions, please contact me through this web site. Also, be sure to zoom in on the little dress photo in order to appreciate the tiny stitches. Diana
Nature scape:Trout Lilies in Sunshine
I hardly know where to begin. I guess bad news first. I have been working on a still life that has special meaning for me. I only showed you small portions of it because I wanted it to be viewed first at a show that I have been waiting for. I already have experience in this show, both getting a big award and also being rejected. So, for months I have been concentrating on getting this piece completed in time for the entry. Then those who placed an entry must wait a month until the juror has made his/her selections. October first those choices are emailed. This painting is one of my best which made it difficult to see the words on the email. I don’t mind the rejection for myself but it has been frustrating to try to figure what was it about this work that made the juror reject it. My thoughts are that it was not wildly modern, since I lean toward old masters style. Who knows? Anyway, it was painful to have to make this announcement to my students. I struggled to lift their spirits and not allow them to want to give up on their own efforts. We must realize that if we are going to participate in a procedure that gives the choices over completely to one ‘expert’, then we must be prepared to accept the results. I have never painted to try to please a juror. Rather, I strive to make a composition and painting that is good enough that it cannot be ignored! If I have reached a time in my life where I no longer have the patience to deal with this and other strange things that are happening in our art arenas then I will be glad to spend more of my time painting and less with groups and exhibitions. I enjoy the artists and viewers too much to do that at this time.
I did two days of antique shopping last week. I wanted a nice piece of copper, perhaps a tea pot or little creamer. I found a perfect piece that had been silver overlayed on copper. The copper is very apparent. I was looking for a goblet, found that. A rough clay pot, an old dirty boa with box joints, check. Unfortunately, other things, which were not art related, called out to me. I should be disposing of my stuff, not bringing more into my small house! I must tell you that in an adjoining damp dark garage, hanging on a back wall, I rescued the most beautiful, although simple, hand stitched baby gown. I will try to post a photo when I finish this blog.
OK, to wrap it up, I will tell you that the project I have been working on for almost three years is about to come to fruition. My husband always makes the things I need around the house, usually furniture. When I asked him to make an art tool, he tried, but, the edges needed to be smooth and the marks precision. After a while, I was directed to a Tech school where the first prototype was turned out. After two or three more attempts, voila! Perfect. This process included explaining the plans in detail to several different companies with months of waiting, only to be told that their machines were not able to do the job. Very aggravating! Finally, this production is now in the hands of a capable company. My daughter, a graphic artist in Ohio, is skilled at videoing. She will help me make an instruction video.
The image at the top is one I showed in the early stage. It is almost finished. These trout lilies grow on the forest floor in our area and probably most of the eastern mountains. I will now try to post another image of the little baby dress. I consider it a national treasure.
Well, I don’t have a way to show you. I will try on the next post. Enjoy your art. Diana
Diana Williams Portraits 