03/12/23
Very cold in the studio. Can’t be a put off though.
Séance piece:
Wall and floor = re-adjust
Blue Figure = push back / get rid of
The woman in blue - basically taking away from the overall composition.
… Getting there. Simplified the back wall. Colours are all wrong but at least it’s going in the right direction structurally.
07/12/23
Warhol at the Hugh Lane, Dublin - Excellent
09/12/23
A round of image gathering is in order. Juices.
10/12/23
14/12/23
Isn’t it funny how a conversation can be the spark that begins to slot pieces into place…
Winter months are slow in the studio - always have been - there’s nothing new there.
What is different is the less time being allocated to focus on drawing [rephrase] not making enough time to focus on drawing elements. TIME CAN BE MADE!
”Artists reflect on what is happening”Rachel Whiteread
SKETCHING
17/12/23
Studio.
Background work on ‘soldier’ piece and a new portrait started over an abandoned canvas.
Drew the charcoal into a fresh layer of white. Will see what comes of it.
18/12/23
Applied.
23/12/23
I do enjoy looking back over the year that’s about to pass. One eye on the past yada yada.
There has been no strict recordkeeping so an idea flashes in and then fades out only to pop in later in a diluted and obscure way where I struggle to recollect the initial instance. Should be rectified. Plenty of ways to keep quick notes.
Joints are aching from the impending dose.
25/12/23
Merry Christmas. Very mindful… so counting blessings and appreciating the little joys.
26/12/23
It’s been a strange one. Anything but restful.
Crow - Chimera - spark/spark/spark.
28/12/23
In the studio and had intended to clean palette ahead of some painting time tomorrow but there’s just too much good paint out to waste. Some looking and notes to aid tomorrow:
Séance in London - notes:
It’s a bloody séance - it shouldn’t make sense.
Remove shadows
Push fireplace back (cooler / lighter)
Chairs - are they needed?
Omit / darken bottom section.
Again, it doesn’t have to make sense. It’s a nonsensical act. Defying logic so the picture shouldn’t live by those rules.
Soldier Piece - notes:
(layer of white on right figure’s clothes done)
Alter skin tones - middle too cold, left too warm. Find a balance. Soldier has seen / committed horrors - bare this in mind.
29/12/23
A good solid day in the studio - and the last one of the year. Loads of coffee.
‘Séance’ - fireplace removed, chairs gone and front three figures blocked in again. Compositionally, it’s definitely a step in the right direction. How does one make an image ominous?
[insert researched answer here] e.g.: 'Fuseli’s ‘The Nightmare’
The little portrait study came about very quickly. A much looser approach so far and some nice elements in the painting. It does run the risk, however, of muddiness so must be mindful.
Last Studio shot of the year.