Bearings

In early 2017 I returned to painting the figure after focusing exclusively on drawing for an extended period (see February 24, 2017 post).  I commented that it was going to take some time to regain my bearings. I never considered for a moment that over a year would pass before any tangible results would present themselves.

Male Nude Study, oil on canvas, 14" X 12", 2018

Small Minds

Private sessions with a model are by necessity intimate occasions. They require a high degree of trust from both the model and the artist. Only the participants know the true nature of these encounters. Small minded outsiders often make uninformed critical judgments regarding these relationships. By doing so they only diminish themselves.

Back Pose, oil pastel on toned paper
8" X 6 1/2", 2018

Humility

In a recent post I said that todays figurative artists need to learn to walk again. By this I mean they must discard the crutch of secondary sources and work unaided from the live nude. This call to humility may have actually not gone far enough. Sometimes, when confronted with the subtleties of the human form, it might actually be necessary to crawl for awhile.

Nude Study, oil on panel mounted linen,
6 1/2" X 6 1/2", 2018

Old Habits

I had some orthodontics done a couple of years ago to correct a long standing problem with my bite. I now wear a retainer at night. Without it my teeth would return to their natural positions.

We all have certain inborn tendencies. When painting my natural tendency is to work slowly and deliberately. This method can be effective with certain subjects but where the figure is concerned prosaic results are a more likely outcome. Live figurative work acts as a retainer keeping old habits at bay.

Thirty minute figure study,  oil on linen, 8" X 13", 2015