Figure Workshop Day One

Charcoal Study

On Day One of this figure workshop our challenge was to practice designing our painting space with strong values and connect the lights and darks.   We chose a photo from which we executed:

• thumbnail(s),
• a charcoal study,
• a black, gray and white painting
• a color painting.   

Going to such lengths and repeating the composition multiple times before getting to a final color painting resulted in a true familiarity with the subject.   It also provided multiple opportunities to fine-tune the composition.



Charcoal Sketch

I began with a photo I had taken in Aruba.   A couple in bathing suits had stopped along the shoreline to look at a huge jellyfish.   The woman was taking a photo of it while the man looked on. 

The woman was blond with a fair complexion and the man was darker with a reddish tanned skintone.  Their different complexions coupled with the fact that the left shadowed side of the man stood out against the woman's right sunlit flesh gave maximum contrast.

The black and white study and the color study were painted side by side on a 12 x 16 inch canvas.  See the progression from the top.

This last photo shows the result at the end of the day.   If ever I was prepared to execute a final painting, this is it!