Daily painting #80: Caesar (day 2)

Painting these sculptures is great practice. I often find it harder to get a likeness with a sculpture than a human figure. I think part of it is the tiny size of this sculpture; the tiniest error is magnified. But part of it is that living, breathing models seem easier to draw, even though they move. I wonder why that is.

Anyway, this one is coming along. I may continue tomorrow, or I may start another still life. One thing’s for sure: I won’t be going outside to paint in the 98 degree heat.

Geoff Watson, “Caesar (in progress), day 2,” oil on linen, 5” x 7.”

Geoff Watson, “Caesar (in progress), day 2,” oil on linen, 5” x 7.”

Daily painting #73: Sculpture (day 2)

Modern ateliers — art schools that focus on practical skills — often require students to draw plaster casts for days or weeks before attempting to draw a live model. I agree that it’s great practice, so I have 3 or 4 casts lying around. The trouble is, the cast I’m using now is tiny; it’s head is about 2 or 3 inches tall. That means my little 6” x 6” painting is larger than life size, which makes things a lot harder.

Also, I forgot to mark where I was painting yesterday; I inadvertently shifted positions and ended up redoing the entire thing! I’ll give it one more day, then on to other things. Sorry about the glare on the photo.

Geoff Watson, “In progress: study of a sculpture,” day 2, oil on panel, 6” x 6,” 2019.

Geoff Watson, “In progress: study of a sculpture,” day 2, oil on panel, 6” x 6,” 2019.