I’ve been painting every day, but I’ve been a bit remiss about updating this blog. I’ll try to catch up over the next week or so. I did this sketch in life class. I was going for a Rembrandt feel, which is great except (1) I didn’t use a dark background, and (2) I’m no Rembrandt, lol. Still, I love it when I get to paint with a lot of red!
Geoff Watson, “Study of a dude in a big hat,” oil on linen panel, 9” x 12.”
This was the second session of a two-session pose. I spent a bit less than 4 hours total on the painting. At the end of the first session, the likeness wasn’t great; you can see it in my March 4 post. So I focused hard on improving the drawing at the start of today’s session, and within a half hour I had a good likeness — and it got better as the session went along. I’m quite pleased with the final result, though as always I needed more time. The shadows on the side of the face need a little smoothing and refining, and it would’ve been nice to add more detail to the outfit.
Alas, neither of the photos below does it justice; the second photo shows off the color better, I think.
Geoff Watson, “A Gentleman,” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2019.
Geoff Watson, “A Gentleman (detail),” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2019.
I had fun with this portrait in life class last week. It was the second session of a two-session pose; I posted my progress after the first session a couple weeks ago.
Geoff Watson, “Smoking,” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.
This was the first of a two-week sitting with Harry, who often wears a funky little top hat. Hats are hard to get right, and my first effort here is too small. I’ll fix it next week. I’ve also got placeholders around the eyes and jawline, so there’s plenty of work to be done, but I feel this is a good start.
Geoff Watson, “Harry and the Hat (in progress),” oil on panel, 11” x 14,” 2018.
I painted this portrait of Harry in less than two hours today. He was wearing an elaborate Victorian costume, but given the time constraints, I merely suggested some colorful clothing, as I was most interested in his penetrating eyes and ruddy cheeks. I was closing in on a likeness when the bell sounded. I think it turned out pretty well!
Geoff Watson, "Victorian Harry," oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
I had fun painting this portrait of Harry. I had limited time -- less than two hours -- but sometimes I work better when I paint with urgency. He was actually wearing an 18th-century formal outfit, but I just chose to suggest the rather large collar of his shirt. For the most part, he looks like a 21st-century man.
I was closing in on a likeness when time was called. With a little more time, I'd have added more detail to his eyes and eyebrows, which are quite distinctive, but even so I was happy to imply those things and declare victory.
Geoff Watson, "Harry," oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.
Harry maintained a very stern expression, which is pretty unusual for someone posing for a couple hours. I couldn't resist playing up the defiance in his face. The result is an angry man in a top hat! The sketch is rough, as time was short, but the likeness is reasonable. What a great pose!
Geoff Watson, "Sketch of Harry," oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2017.