Self Morphosis

Self Morphosis

No, no, no
something wasn't right
isn't right
never right

Morphed again
drinking coke, smoking.
searching - pushing
not right

Circles, more circles
red, black, yellow
circles around my brain, BIG
aarrggghh that's better
something is right

Light, there must be light
shade, paint, more
more
it's not right, never right

Darkness
not perfect for godsake nothings perfect
don't seek
don't

I don't like the circles
paint em
more paint
arrrgghhh that's better
feeling better now.

Morphed again.

Pop

This is another self portrait but it looks like Pop, my Grandad. It wasn't until I took it off the easel that I realised that somehow a painting of me had turned into a painting of my Grandad. The resemblance is uncanny. I was looking at myself in the mirror, until about half way through when I stopped looking in the mirror and let go. By let go, I mean I wasn't getting in the way. I was letting the brush go. Uncanny really. I'll cherish this. I'll let it dry and perhaps make some changes - perhaps not.

Self Portrait

Looks great on the wall. I'm really happy with this.

You can vote for this self portrait by clicking on this link. I've entered a competition with this work and would welcome your support. Thanks!

Morphosis of Self

You might remember this from a previous post. The 'Morphosis of Self' continues. I'm close to finishing this. It might be done.

Self Portrait

Don't ask me. What the?

I'll let you decide suffice it to say I'm really happy with this. Technically I made some leaps forward and this piece has given me a great boost in confidence. I can't tell you where it came from. But I can tell you how I felt.

I was thinking of Toulouse Lautrec. Go figure. Let me go back a step. I went to the bookstore today and was sifting through all the art books when I found a Toulouse Lautrec. Well, I can't get enough of him so I was carefully analysing his brushstrokes, and the way he married colours together. So, I was thinking of him when I was painting away. Then it occurred to me to try a velatura - so I mixed some paint and medium and away I went. Well, i distorted the painting somewhat but I really liked it. So, I kept painting away, and noticed that I was able to manipulate the paint, and I started to like the colours too. One thing led to another and well, it developed into this. As always not quite as I'd like it.

About the 'self' portrait. I would regard myself as a reasonably complex character, and well, this painting suggests that. I'll be doing many more self portraits as I find it so very fascinating, and I'm sure each one will bring out something different in my character. The illusion of hanging, red for blood, and black for death, are morbid. Yes, but in a sense appealing too. I could elaborate. But, I won't now.

See you later. Gotta hit the sack.

Portrait of Dame Iris Murdoch

I've spent maybe 8 to 10 hours on this painting - trying to get a likeness. Now, I'm not sure what to do. I really like this work in black and white, so I might just continue accenting the light, and trying to add more detail in the hair, eyes and tonal values. The last photo is blurred and I included it here as I quite like the feel of it. Dame Iris was very intelligent so I need to try and reflect that somehow, and I think blurring the image is one way I can garner that. I don't know how the professional artists might tackle this so I'll just experiment and find my own way. If anyone reading has any suggestions - let men know please.

I used black and white as I recently read an excellent book entitled Gerard Richter Writings, and in it were these gorgeous black and white oils. If you haven't seen them - have a look at his website. He's definitely one of the greatest living artists. Well, in my opinion perhaps the greatest simply because of the broad range of work over many years. Anyway, I felt that the black and white images especially suited portraiture as they added a dynamic that couldn't be replicated in a colour image. Rather like a black and white photo compared to a colour one. Sometimes it's better to leave some information out, and give the viewer more - to ponder, to imagine, to speculate.

Another reason maybe that a blurred image appears somewhat spiritual. Iris might like that.

Portrait of Paul Recouer - Work in Progress (2)

My goal was to apply the paint in one stroke, and I almost achieved that but, but, but, but... I really like it texturally - thick lashes of paint. There's a lot of things wrong with this - but for me it's a step in the right direction. I don't like the colour of the jacket. It doesn't look good. I'll change it when once it's dry, along with a multitude of other things I don't like.

You can check out the previous version.

30cm x 30cm oil on canvas

I'll hang it on the wall and see how I react to it.

Patricia

24cm x 19cm oil on canvas

It's the second sketch so I started adding some colour. I'll try and get more detail and colour definition in the next stage, and I'll start loading the paint on the brush to add texture. I also like to see the brush strokes. Hopefully it'll come out ok.

I bought a book today entitled 'A Giacometti Portrait' by James Lord. You can read about it here. It's the story of Lord who sat for his portrait by Giocometti. The book tells of Giacometti constantly questioning himself - his ability and lack of progress. It's fascinating - just to listen to one of the great artists going through exactly the same frustrations as a beginner does. I guess this process never ends. Constant self examination, and lamenting at ones ability to create what one imagines on canvas. But Giacometti's resolve is unbearing. He repaints the sitters facial detail over and over again, constantly searching for the right form. At one point he says 'it's true, everything is a square, a cone or a cylinder - I've got to start over again'. He doesn't paint the rest of the portrait and just keeps sketching the head, adding tonal detail, and changing the form. It really is the tonic for anyone searching for inspiration to fight the demons that never abate.


Back at it.

Below is a Giacometti Sculpture.

Portrait of Paul Recouer - Work in Progress