I did these two studies in class today with oil paint.
The first one I focused on the shadows cast on the floor, and I opted to only include the green shape and none of the others. I actually like it more in this photo than I did in real life. I liked the contrast of warm and cool shadows and I tried out using bold brush strokes instead of subtle shifts in color. I have mixed feelings toward the result. I'm still trying to find the place between abstract and rendered where I want to be. I think I have realized that I will need to include the floor and the shadows or else my model can look very flat, but I want to show some three dimensionality.
My last study is kind of a throwaway; I just wanted to practice the shapes so I'm more prepared for the final. It also conveys how when the ground is not shown, the pieces look pressed flat on top of each other and there is no depth.
The composition I feel most attracted to, and Gail agreed, is the one in Study #2. I think it is the most interesting. However, if I follow the model exactly, there are spaces left with nothing and they feel empty. I will have to repeat elements to fill it in, or invent shapes to fill it in.
Gail suggested I should paint in layers: start by painting the background, then sequentially each shape as they approach closer. Because I'm going to be layering in a short time, she suggested I start with acrylic paint and then move to oil. This will also help me quickly block everything out so that the overlapping shapes are less confusing.
I'm considering using tape or contact paper to leave layers underneath untouched. We'll see what happens.
In my Painting 1 class, we had to copy a famous artist's painting stroke for stroke. I chose a Matisse painting "Nude on a yellow chair." Although he used very active and bold brushwork, through the use of light and shadow the body is still full and three dimensional. I hope to achieve this? Possibly? Well see.
Long post! UGH! buying canvas and starting tomorrow.
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