[SPOILER ALERT ~If your name is Kevin or Laura M.~ DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER]
However, if you’re not Kevin or Laura M. then do please read on.
These lovely people commissioned me to undertake a big project for them— a series of 4 paintings tied together thematically by the “seasons”, done in my usual botanical style and content. So that means the images will be overflowing with plants and animals, particularly bugs, flowers, etc. Everything jockeying for a place onstage, tumbling and vying, interacting with the environment, living in their niches.
After prepping each of the 36” x 36” panels with an oil ground I began with “Summer”, drawing directly on the white surface with various pencil hardnesses. I feared that I might gouge the ground, but the oil finish proved to be quite hardy and un-abraded. Pink Pearl erasers are perfect for the task.
The 4 hardboard panels prepped with an oil ground.
The beginning drawing to “Summer” , one panel in a series of 4. You can see the carabiners at the top rail holding the pulleys that are part of the counterweight system I created to upgrade my easel.
The 36” x 36” panel with a layer of grey toner underpaint. The inked lines help to keep me from losing the drawing too quickly as I add layers of paint.
Additionally, I had to modify my easel to accommodate the weight of these cradled panels. My old easel’s support and set knob weren’t up to the task, so I upgraded it with a simple weight and pulley system on the back of the easel which provides a counter-balance to the weight of the panels. You can watch that easel counterweight upgrade in action in this video.
Currently, I’ve got the drawings for Winter and Spring underway and will update my blog with newer posts and images as the work progresses.
The first few layers of oil paint in a small section of “Summer”
Second pass on the same area.
More progress as of 16 April 2023.
Progress on Summer, 27 Apr, 2023.
Near-completion of Summer, November 2023. It’s even got my cartouche.
Just so you know, Kevin and Laura don’t want to see any of the painting in progress. Instead, they’ve opted to look at a few drawings but they want to wait to see all four of the completed paintings in person. I’m in awe of their ability to delay their gratification and to withstand the crazy amount of anticipation this must be creating for them. It’ll be great fun to finally make the trip to Arkansas to deliver the art when it’s finished.
Hai, Art Gnome, thanks for reading!
