Untitled but getting close

I'm hoping to finish up part 2 of this diptych that I've been working on. This is the piece that I recently whited out the face and started over on because sometimes you just need a blank slate to work from. Here is a picture of the two pieces together, although the color is way off in the one on the right (Rebecca) which is the one that is not quite finished. 

I've been asked whether or not how well I know a person affects how easy or hard it is to paint them. It's an interesting question, and while I'd be quick to say that it doesn't make a difference, that's not entirely true. There have been portraits that I've been working on where the person I'm painting (in real life, not the painting) has said or done something that has bothered me and put me in a foul mood. This does make it difficult as it usually makes me not want to look at their face and I'd rather slather paint all over it.  (By the way, I'm not talking about this particular portrait!)

Time in: 3:00pm

To do:

Adjust angle of right eye

Widen side of face by right eye

bangs- highlights a little too much?

varnish

think about title

Get paintings ready for tomorrow's critique

-buy bubble wrap

lips- too much shadow on left upper lip? expression

Playlist:

Bad At Sports podcast- the Stockyard Institute and the Cafeteria Sessions

The Murder Room by PD James (audio book)

The Raconteurs

Ray LaMontagne

Nick Drake

Time in: 10am + It Wouldn't Surprise Me

I'm just putting on the finishing touches of my latest piece: "It Wouldn't Surprise Me." I'll be varnishing it and fixing a few things today, but it's basically done. It's nice to finish this one up; it's been a challenging piece. 

To do:

clean up white on "surprise"

varnish

touch up on Eric's nose, and both lip highlights

Rebecca- 

keep going on face, refine skin tone

palette- too pink

eyes- develop

lips too high contrast, soften

Frame "No Words"

go to Home Depot and get rat traps

pick references for next piece

small portrait?

Playlist:

NPR

Murder Room by PD James (audio book)

Camera Obscura- "Let's Get Out Of This Country"

Kings of Leon- "Because of the Times"

Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter- "Oh, My Girl"

Time in: 2pm

I feel like I made some progress on the David/Eric piece yesterday. Still needs some more work, but it's getting close. I need to start thinking about the title. I also did a quick piece on paper of Perry. Just a touch up or two and I think it'll be done. 

To Do:

David and Eric:

 

David: 

• Lips? Chin
  
• Hair on left side- finalize
  

Eric:

• finish shirt
  
• shading on cheeks- balance cheeks
  
• Right eye- too much contract on upper lid? 
• Right eyebrow- good shape but too dark

Perry (Mint One):

• Eyes- do they need more work? Review in mirror.

Pick out references for next double.

Gesso board- prep for next piece. 

Playlist:

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals- Nothing But the Water

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS  by Sara Gruen (Audio book)

The Books- The Lemon of Pink

Ray LaMontagne- Till the Sun Turns Black

Time in: 2:30pm

Lately my artistic drive has been incredibly low. I've been pretty productive in the studio, but I think I'm experiencing that "I've been out of college for 5 years and what have I accomplished?!" sinking feeling. This "diary of my studio practice" is an attempt to keep myself going forward. 

Here's what I'm working on now:

To do: 

research fiberglass backing for hanging system

Rebecca (right half of diptych): 

• Hair- looks plastic and fake. so does t-shirt
  
• Skin- work on shading, both sides of face
  
• mouth placement- what's going on?!
  
• Nose- right side is totally crooked

Eric: 

• skin tone- refine
• develop eyes 
• Shirt- needs development

David: 

• Lips look funny
• Chin? 
  
• Smooth forehead
  
• hair needs work
  
• left side of face- too flat and dark
  

    

Playlist:

Harry Nilsson

Thom Yorke

Holly Golightly

Nick Drake