The Szymanski Family

8"x10"
Ink and Watercolor on Paper

Portrait: Albert Hadley, Interior Decorator

20"x30", Gouache and Ink on Canvas with Cloth (Curtain)

May he rest in Peace

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/31/us/albert-hadley-interior-decorator-to-high-society-dies-at-91.html?_r=2&smid=fb-share&pagewanted=all

Work in Progress: "Laura; in-class model"

Gouache on paper 10"x14"

This model will return next week for another 3 hour pose so we may complete the works...

Work in Progress: "Laura; in-class model"

Gouache on paper 10"x14"

Working from a posed model in class is the most challenging of assignments that I've encountered. it doesn't matter whether they are dressed or nude, the challenges that arise have to do with seeing and rendering and falling into bad habits of practice. Proportion, perspective, value, surface, texture, composition.... every last bit of the elements of drawing come into play in this exercise. I have struggled with this, and generally wish to hide any in-class work.

Last night was the exception. I had been playing with some Gouache for a few weeks and was just about to trash them because I was unable to find beauty in the application. The results were chalky flat dry marks in all of my previous efforts.

I had always admired the work of a fellow student Chris, in my Tuesday portrait painting class with Patrick Carter at SMFA. Last night I decided to ask Chris how he does it; every last step of his process.... I copied it, and here are my results:

The model will return next week in the same pose and outfit so we may finish the work. I am really pleased with this piece so far... maybe her head is a little big, and her right hand is wrong... but the rest is quite lovely!

"Under Where?"

Self Portait; 18"x24"

Cardstock, Cotton Underwear, Ink, Gouache, Magazine Collage

Self Portrait; You can't hide your line eyes.

You can't hide your line eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you'd realize
There ain't no way to hide your line eyes



Oil on Canvas, 3 feet by 4 feet.

Work in Progress: Self Portrait

Not sure what's next, will live with it for a few weeks... might attack the negative spaces, although I know i should leave most, as they are quite enjoyable.

Photo is not the best quality... needed to illuminate the canvas better. Whites are bright white unaffected canvas/gesso for now.

(I am layering renditions of my face from birth to present.... from old photographs. After each minimal line drawing I cover the marks with translucent white and draw then next on top. There will be as many as 20 different years represented in the final product. I am thinking about how my current self is the layered self of years of selfs as I paint these layers and paint on top of earlier layers.)

Oil on Canvas, 3 feet by 4 feet.

Work in Progress: Self Portrait

I am layering renditions of my face from birth to present.... from old photographs. After each minimal line drawing I cover the marks with translucent white and draw then next on top. There will be as many as 20 different years represented in the final product. I am thinking about how my current self is the layered self of years of selfs as I paint these layers and paint on top of earlier layers.

Oil on Canvas, 3 feet by 4 feet.

Detail

Work in Progress: Self Portrait

This project has changed since my last posting... I am currently layering renditions of my face from birth to present.... from old photographs. After each minimal line drawing I cover the marks with translucent white and draw then next on top. There will be as many as 20 different years represented in the final product. I am thinking about how my current self is the layered self of years of selfs as I paint these layers and paint on top of earlier layers.

Oil on Canvas, 3 feet by 4 feet.

"masks & mirrors" portrait class at SMFA

We had to design a mask to cover half of our face... we each had to pose for the class for 10 minutes last week, and this week we have to draw ourselves with our own mask. I'll post my drawing later.

Work in Progress: Self Portrait

For my Portrait Painting class with Hamra Abbas at SMFA; assignment #2 is a self portrait. My concept is to paint 'what I think I look like', from memory, as opposed to using a mirror or using a photograph. This is an attempt to depict an aspect of self awareness, and a description of a physicality through an emotion and thought-based stream of source material. The intent is not necessarily to render what others may see in my face, but possibly to render what others see in my spirit.

Oil on Canvas, 3 feet by 4 feet.

Work in Progress: Ski Cap Chap Portrait

Detail: Face

Layering on light and texture.
Oil on wood panel, 18"x24"

Work in Progress: Ski Cap Chap Portrait

Work in Progress: Ski Cap Chap Portrait
Getting close to completion... layering on light and texture.
Oil on wood panel, 18"x24"

"Boy Toy" Sculpture

"Boy Toy" Sculpture

Found objects: Ken Doll, Painter's Tray 9"x6"x2", Molded Liquid Rubber.

"Why is he naked? Why does he have spots on his legs? Why is he submerged in murky sludge? Why are his legs up? Why does he look so happy?"

"Lost Opportunities" Sculpture

"Lost Opportunities" Sculpture
Found Objects: wooden drawer 9"x9"x2", jock strap, solidified liquid plastic.

"I wasn't the child I was supposed to be. I wasn't the boy I was supposed to be. I am not the man I am supposed to be. I don't play sports. I'll never be a father."

Work in Progress: Ski Cap Chap Portrait

Work in Progress: Ski Cap Chap Portrait
The new semester has begun at SMFA... I am taking Portrait painting with Hamra Abbas (fantastic). We were able to photograph our regular model, Ski Cap Chap, in any pose we desired. I asked him to lift his famous cap off his head.
The first session involved underpainting... I want this to have a rather warm based result.... and I am enjoying counterintuitive color choices as I explore the identity of the model.
I love this stuff!
Oil on wood panel, 18"x24"

Work in Progress: Ski Cap Chap Portrait

Work in Progress: Ski Cap Chap Portrait
The new semester has begun at SMFA... I am taking Portrait painting with Hamra Abbas (fantastic). We were able to photograph our regular model, Ski Cap Chap, in any pose we desired. I asked him to lift his famous cap off his head.
The first session involved underpainting... I want this to have a rather warm based result.... and I am enjoying counterintuitive color choices as I explore the identity of the model.
I love this stuff!
Oil on wood panel, 18"x24"

Work in Progress: "Solo"

Work in Progress: "Solo"

Refining form, values and hue.... unsure about the blue background.

Oil Paint on XXL 100% Cotton Underwear in 16"x16" stretcher.
(Featuring Scott Madsen, model for Soloflex 1982 advertisement; "No Pain, No Gain")

Work in Progress: "Solo"

Work in Progress: "Solo"

Building the form

Oil Paint on XXL 100% Cotton Underwear in 16"x16" stretcher.
(Featuring Scott Madsen, model for Soloflex 1982 advertisement; "No Pain, No Gain")

Work in Progress: "Solo"

Work in Progress: "Solo"

Building the form; underpainting; green and blue

Oil Paint on XXL 100% Cotton Underwear in 16"x16" stretcher.

(Featuring Scott Madsen, model for Soloflex 1982 advertisement; "No Pain, No Gain")