Figurative Painting
It has been quite a number of years since I tackled painting/drawing nudes. I guess the main reason for my lack of figure work has been due to the difficulty of getting to a life drawing class or hiring a model. Living in the middle of nowhere does limit one's options.
Yesterday a friend came over to visit and she was looking through my folio, when she came across a couple of my figure drawings. She was like 'wow you need to do more of these people would love them.' Now not just two minutes ago we were discussing how conservative Haugesund is and how my recent work (with the skeletons, eyes, creepy Victorian figures) would scare a lot of the locals away, AND only the serious 'Gary Reef' collectors would truly appreciate the new direction.
So it got me thinking, and today I decided I would start doing figure drawing again. So below are some examples of some figure drawings from a life drawing class I used to take back in the 90's, I have a lot more pictures and need to upload them, but here are some to give you an example of my style.
Now not having a model directly in front of me does make it slightly challenging because it is hard to visualize different positions, but because my style does allow for proportional errors, he he he, I think I can get away with it.(But thanks to Jay who emailed me with a website where artists can look at online models has helped).
The style is very loose and free flowing. One thing I try not to do is over work the figures or the composition, keeping it simple is best! Also, only allowing myself to work on any one figure for a few seconds helps.
I decided I would start by using different shades of primary and Prussian Blue. A lot of people say Prussian blue is an old fashioned colour but I have always loved it. The figures themselves, well they are inspired by looking at my other drawings (basically i am doing contour drawings of them) and I am selecting the images I think would work well together. I am looking at figures online, etc.
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Comment by Becky Jenner on June 30, 2011 at 2:12am -
I haven't tackled a project like this since high school! And you are right with getting the gestures down being difficult without a model! Even with the little "wooden man" poser! I think you are doing a fantastic job and LOVE your color choices!!!
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Comment by Sarah Pauline on June 30, 2011 at 1:31am -
I really miss the convenience of living in Minneapolis where I could get to a live model 3-4 times a week if I wanted to through several colleges and programs and the fees were literally just a few dollars. Now I am living in a more ..I will say rural but I mean less cultured part of the world... no such opportunity and no interest exists in me starting something. The new work is so lovely Gary.
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Comment by Cheryl Stewart on June 29, 2011 at 8:33am -
This is great Gary. I remember that you have shown some of your figure work before. Loved it then, and love it now. I love contour drawing more than any other type. I think because it leaves room for peoples' brains and emotions to fill in the blanks. Love what you are doing in these, like always though.
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Comment by Margo Garrison on June 29, 2011 at 8:25am -
I am looking forward to seeing the new works too. When I first saw the first picture up there from your 90's classes I was thinking, wow, I never knew he did anything conventional. I love it though, love the green and the different poses, and the style you've created underneath perfectly compliments it. It's always inspiring to see you moving in different directions.
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Comment by Palma Rea on June 29, 2011 at 7:47am -
I, think that these are great and you seemed to have picked up just fine. I like the blue and orange contrast.
This is another thing that I'd like to learn and I don't find it easy to train myself to get proportions right because I am so used to exaggerating.
I'm looking forward to see your other works.
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