This week I prepared my 18×24″ canvas with a variety of colours all in the mid tones in terms of darkness. I also sketched the position and clothing for the figure in the painting. The final result was refined during class today while producing this sketch to be used to transfer the most detailed part of the painting onto the canvas. For this I simply traced the sketch onto tracing paper, put graphite from my handy 6B pencil on the back and then transferred onto my canvas. It was still hard to see, so I followed up by applying some acrylic paint (raw umber) to follow the outline.
the voyage – outline added to colour-washed background
At this point some more adjustments were made with the teacher’s advice. The balance and composition were improved until we were both satisfied.
the voyage – tonal wash added
There was only enough time left to add some tone to the painting – also in a wash of raw umber acrylic paint. Since the light source will be from the far side of the hills, just adding the wash starts to give that feeling, starting to create ambiance and give an idea of the shape of the final painting. Even though this painting will be completed using oil paint, doing the painting to this point using acrylic was helpful as the detail won’t be smudged away when the oil paint is added next week.
Last time I posted poems that Tom had sent me for this work – here is another one, a haiku:
Clotho’s tangled thread trails across the pier at dawn she casts herself free
It has been a long time since I posted anything. I haven’t been doing much digital doodling but I have been creating some studies for a painting course I started a couple of weeks ago. The course is called “Illustrative Painting” and so I am trying to establish a narrative of sorts. I have in my mind that the voyage is a metaphor for journeying into the future or even an internal journey of the mind. On describing this concept, Tom sent me this poem – within two hours!! There’s even a short version and a long version…
Elegy for a Future (short version)
The water’s kiss is soft against the blade
that cuts a careworn future from the past;
irrevocable, now the choice is made
to cross the Rubicon and finally cast
a glance ahead: there awaits the shore,
warm coastal waters leading ever on
toward mystery and landscapes to explore
beneath the golden light of other dawns.
Elegy for a Future (long version)
The water’s kiss is soft against the blade
that cuts a careworn future from the past;
irrevocable, now the choice is made
to cross the Rubicon and finally cast
a course into the beckoning unknown
where distant shores, intriguing inlets, wait
for a bold explorer, all alone,
in search of other futures, taunting Fate
while mourning for a life that might have been
in another universe and time,
a different incarnation in between
Tartarus and Nirvana’s distant climes.
That perfect future lies unsullied now
by compromises, awkwardness and pain;
in memory, reclining ‘neath a bough
sipping on a julep with a swain:
an ideal match in all respects, and fair,
in the heaven where such spirits dwell
beyond the reach of merely worldly cares
for heaven means there is no chance of hell.
But now ahead there awaits the shore,
warm coastal waters leading ever on
toward mystery and landscapes to explore
beneath the golden light of other dawns.
There is no destined end or certain truth
that’s final, fixed, unchanging: all that lives
will wend its way toward age from simple youth;
though much is taken, there’s still much to give
unto the years of life that lie ahead
upon this journey toward the Happy Isles,
letting go of Clotho’s tangled thread
and facing toward new futures with a smile.
poetry (c) 2013 TJ Radcliffe
The image of “letting go of Clotho’s tangled thread” in the last stanza caught my imagination – Clotho being one of the Fates in charge of weaving human lives. After I read that I did some more quick sketching.
the voyage – pencil study
Now the figure is at the moment of departure – just about to let go of the rope. There are more ropes heaped up on the dock – the “tangled threads”. Then I went to the next class and produced the following two studies (among others) – the second shows the teacher’s (Charles Vinh) input – turning the figure towards the viewer.
the voyage – colour study
The ink sketch was done during class before discussing the figure position with the teacher. I added some colour later at home.
the voyage – tonal study
Here I am trying to establish an interesting balance between tones in the painting, drawing the eye towards the figure.
The next step is to consider the figure in detail with lighting, clothing etc. Next post!
Green Tea Doodles 