Model: Gouache on Kraft Paper

Posted on Apr 7, 2009

Previous Post | Next Post

Something Modern

And after I finished the Infanta Maria below, I decided to just “let er rip” with imagination and my gouache. So here’s the kind of fun I created in a more modern mode. In these two pieces I’m expanding below the neckline….What a hoot. Faces have been my focus…maybe someday i’ll be able to draw bodies too.

Well, I challenged myself here (in different post now – revised) with this Velasquez Infanta Maria painting….it’s my new gouache palette, AND, something i NEVER do….i limited myself to a very narrow palette. Researched the Velasquez palette – burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue……but I did have to add some of my napthol red….) for Velasquez I’m guessing that was vermilion).

Here’s what i learned:

1. a limited palette is challenging and fantastic practice.
2. greys are tricky….be sure you make enough of a puddle of grey to last the entire painting. A bit more ultramarine cools it nicely. My greys are inconsistent.
3. The very very darks here were challenging, too……LOTS of paint – bt sienna and ultra…..with a twit of yellow ochre (actually i use Schmincke’s titanium gold ochre, at Roz’s recommendation). But I am buying Payne’s Grey today….cuz I don’t like mixing my darks, too lazy, I guess.
4. Folds are HARD. I’ve never done folds before, so I see a new area of study for myself.
5. It was fun! Now I want to see the original!

SOLD