Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Portraits in oils


I've decided to tackle a serious oil painting in the form of a self portrait. Its been awhile since I've done much in oils though I have completed a few small ones and even sold one of my new efforts recently.

I have always loved oils and used to work a lot with them. There was then a lean time when I didn't produce much with oils as there was nowhere to keep them out, small children wanting to get involved, fumes, etc etc. But now I want to revitalize my skills with them but in a looser form perhaps, a more painterly form.

I have completed a line drawing and will enlarge this onto a gallery canvas I think and see what I can come up with.

Wish me luck!

7 comments:

Making A Mark said...

Oh - this is going to be good!!!

How about letting rip with some charcoal in a painterly form before tackling the oils?

Just to limber up so to speak.......

Billie Crain said...

I'm excited, too! I hope you'll post this as a WIP.

Jeanette Jobson said...

I just may do that Katherine. Charcoal can be manipulated almost like paint sometimes, so it may be a good exercise.

I'll try my best to put it up as I go along Billie. Or it may end up as a toboggan in the snow :)

Anonymous said...

Good luck Jeanette! Can't wait to see this develop.

Rose Welty said...

Jeanette,

Can I bug you with a question? I've seen drawings like yours before - lines all over. Is that plane changes? color changes? tones changes? all of the above?

I've never quite understood it, and when I've tried it, it's never worked out for me.

Thanks.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Hi Rose, your question is welcome and common.

The lines are a value map and indicate areas of light and shade. I guess its something I have gotten into the habit of doing in more detailed drawings,especially portraits. I looks kind of odd in the initial line drawing but serves as the 'road map' for me as I progress, as this drawing is the master so it never changes. I simply transfer this image to the surface that I'm going to use.

The 'how to' is really a matter of observation and noting the changes in values, turning them into shapes. I'm sure you're probably doing it already without even realizing it. Try it with a simple shape such as an apple for instance and see if you can draw the values as shapes.

Rose Welty said...

Jeanette - Thanks for answering. I will try it.

Merry Christmas!