Click to enlarge.
This is a breakthrough canvas, because as I said, it not only changed how I see shadow, it changed the way I actually apply the paint. I went from playing with flat plains of color to endless dimensions of it in one brushstroke. What before took me 8 layers to accomplish, I can now do in 2.
I am standing on the edge of a realm that has taken 34 years to reach. My entire life I have waited for the last 24 hours. Every thing I have ever studied, all those years of having only sketchbooks and pencils for friends, every moment I spent wishing...Today has made every single moment of doubt and numb fingers worth it.
The next canvas is also unfinished due to overly elaborate detail work I will need atleast 2 more days on... but the details are unimportant. The main part is done.
When my fingers all the sudden took over, I knew there was only one portrait I could try to judge the extent of my new found powers. And within minutes of putting on the first layer of fleshtone, there she was, staring back at me!
I am not sure how much you can actually judge by the photo. But wether you can see it or not the method for applying her face has completely changed everything for me. I have control of full tonal range, from white to black and every shade in between AND I can go the full range in just a few strokes. I can not only control shadow, I can control LIGHT!
The result is cleaner lines and a much more natural blending. It is literally like going from cartoons to Michelangelo.
I will be working on her for the next few days, but other than detail and clean up, she is pretty much a done deal. This one proves to me that it is REAL this time, and not just a wonderful accident of persistance.
After today, there is no going back. The universe has opened up and I fully plan to explore every inch of it I can.
Thanks to all of you. Your input, encouragement, and even just your interest has really made it such a wonderful journey and I feel truly blessed to be here with all of you.
5 comments:
He has certainly become softer and more fluid. I don't pretend to know how or why. But now I feel that if I put my finger on the flesh it would give, as flesh does. How I wish I had your drive, Christy. You deserve every single achievement you've created for yourself.
Thank you darlin.
Softer and more fluid. EXACTLY!
I am not sure it is drive so much as obsession.
I really have been waiting on this day since I was a little kid. And when I woke up this morning I saw both these canvases first thing and it really feels so different. Like sitting at the grown ups table for the first time!
(I had to move my stuff all back into my bedroom, my shop is not climate controlled and I am too sick to be out there in 100 degree heat.)
I am not sure what I expected to feel at this stage, but it feels pretty sweet. Even though I am sick the sheer power of it is awesome.
If I don't die, then from here on out I am exactly where I want to be.
Hell, even if I do die..After yesterday, I go with very few regrets.
I am 'better' today. I feel a lot stronger. But I just had to pop a steroid so if I am on here freaking out in a few hours....
Just ignore me.
If my lines get any cleaner I am going to start getting a 'photo effect'.
I can sometimes do it now by accident, but now...
FREAKING AWESOME!
You are getting much better, Christy... This is wonderful!
Keep up your work and I look forward to many more masterpieces.
Ally McRepuke
Thanks Ally!
Girlfriend, by the time you get that villa put together, I will be ready!
Make sure those walls are built to last because I plan on dripping them in masterpieces!
Your wife is going to be so pissed!I'll be lurking around your hallways at all hours scaring the nieghbors!
I can't wait!
Come to think of it, my man might be pissed too when he realizes I have to go away for a while. But, it will just give him an excuse to get the hell out of Louisiana every now and then.
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