painting in progress no. 1

(newest to oldest)

This painting is now available as a limited edition print, click here to visit: joesorren.com/store

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July 3, 08

So, when I was playing around in the bottom corner yesterday, I started to think that it might be cool if there was an umbrella that obscured the figure in the tree, to everyone but the woman in the water. It might create more intimacy between the two figures. Also, I think it helps compositionally to give the painting lift.

Here is a photo of the painting with the umbrella sketched in with paint. The final tapestry or color is to be decided in future layers. Also, at this point, I am not sure about the little figure under the umbrella. He may need to shift, further develop or die.

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July 3, 08

I worked on the corner yesterday. Here is a photo with a before shot as well.

before:

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July 2, 08

Here is a shot of the foreground tree after developing it these last couple of days.

(click on image to enlarge)

Below is a shot of it before this layer:

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June 28, 08

Worked on developing the dress a bit more today.

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June 27, 08

Here is a picture of the main figure at the end of the day today. I focused on introducing the light from the left side of the painting to her.

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June 25, 08

Resumed work on this painting again today. Will have new posts up soon.

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June 16, 08

Further glazing and drying…

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June 13, 08

I have just been kinda dancing all over the canvas these last few days, still resolving the light sources and lines. It is entering that middle, clumsy stage, as opposed to the early, clumsy stage.

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June 9, 08

Worked on the start of the tree today. As I was working, I found some lines that suggested the tree was sort of separating and emerging from the outer bark, which I thought was kinda cool, seeing that it mirrors what she is doing as well.

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June 1-8, 08

Glazing and drying, will return shortly…

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May 29, 08

Worked more on her face and back today.

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May 28, 08 (end of day)

More layers today on the dress and background. I don’t know why, but since I started the dress, it seemed like it should be orange. As far as her face goes, I really miss that weird flap sort of thing that was on the side of her head until a couple of days ago. It should feel as though someone had just laid a paper napkin on top of her head. It should have that sort of air to it.

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(May 28, 08)

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(May 27, 08)

Here is where the painting is at now…I think I am getting more of a general sense of the background characteristics. The tree is all wrong up top and all over really, but that’s for later.

I do like how the lines of the background, are starting to subtly direct the eye to the upper right, where her expression is. By pushing the darks and lights, this effect should be heightened, and her look back should redirect the viewer, creating a sort of loop through the piece. At least in theory, right?

As far as more general thoughts, one of my favorite things about painting is the questions that come up; like should the little spider thing have a leash, all intertwined in the branch? Is it a spider? Why? What if she had pearls, or has them but took them off and had lay them on some rocks in the bottom left. What would that say about his leash? Would it imply a silent request to do the same for the spider thing? Is all this wrong? I try not to answer them outright, as much as recognize them and let them hang about, being open and annoying. I do think, if I go in this direction, it should be subtle and not too domineering on the painting in whole.

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(May 26, 08)

Here is where the painting is after further defining her form and clearing out some of the preliminary loudness and confusion that was on the left side.

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(May 24, 08)

further along… still not sure of the direction of the light source, but I like the idea of impossible rock islands surrounding her. The spider in the tree. Her pet? A voyeur?

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(May 23, 08)