Oil on 8"x10" hardboard panelSince this painting was a challenge for me, I thought using only one color and white would make it a bit easier for me... HA!
I used raw umber thinned with some turpentine to do the first sketchy stage. Then, I started mixing the raw umber with white as I worked in more detail. I found out that there really weren't any details to be drawn.. just value changes, and shapes. I also found out that when you add white to raw umber, it's like adding cream to coffee, the color changes so much! It's so much cooler, and grayer. I liked the warmer version of the under painting. I tried to leave that showing through in spots. I was doing ok, until I started working on Venus's face. It's all in shadow, and it took many tries and many messes to wipe out, but the second it looked right, I stopped and left it be. When I look at it now, I think her face is a bit too dark... but I'm not touching it!!!!
I would have liked this painting to be more colorful.. with some pretty rosy browns and cooler blues and grays, etc. but, it's good for a first try. I actually did add some alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue to the raw umber to get a darker color for the background.
My favorite part is the little angel holding and kissing her hand.
Thank you everyone for your generous comments! I appreciate them all so much!
This is lovely, and even through the monitor I can see the hints of crimson and blue in the background- subtle and rich.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you've finished this piece already. It's really, really good. Since you really like the little angle kissing her hand perhaps you'll do a larger piece of just that portion. Hmmm!
ReplyDeleteAmazing.....
Thank You Judy,
ReplyDeleteCarol, now that you mention it, I did take a close up picture of just that portion of the statue, that's a good idea.
This is absolutely beautiful. I love how the softness of the painting style echoes the tenderness of the sculpture. It's a marriage made in heaven. I'm very much looking forward to following your blog and your progress!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, this is such a stunning work. I would guess the original sculptor would be pleased to see what you've done with his piece as your subject. I find myself wanting to touch this piece, to feel that cool yet warm marble...Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful painting, it is somehow more powerful painted with such a limited palette, love it.
ReplyDeleteYEs the limited palette created and aura that is well pleasing.
ReplyDeleteI love that detail too of the kissing and and would love to see it bigger also.
A lovely work of art, Debbie! I love grissaile painting and has recently painted some 3-D leaves in tones of gray on a bathroom cabinet for somebody.
ReplyDeleteJ'adore ce tableau ! Magnifique !
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