Paul Talbot Art » portrait

a different way to look at images

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:15:41 +0000

some recent work – drawing for money!

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:20:18 +0000

Recently, I have undertaken some small drawing work – group and couples approx. A4 the Napoleon is A2, all have been drawn on hand made paper and using a HB propelling pencil – 0.3mm lead. The challenge has been not just getting the likeness right, but more importantly for me not using an eraser, partly because if you rub out the surface of the paper changes and therefore the mark made is not one intended, also in trying to work in this manner makes every mark matters and instills a requirement to be precise

The first drawing – ordered from Czech on a trip their last year from Petra who is a major fan of the French hero. Over a drink or six I agreed to produce a drawing for him, not something I would normally do and tried putting it off as much as possible anyhow, the night before he was due to arrive from Czech I spent a couple of intense hours in my studio working to complete it! I almost completed by the early hours of the morning, only requiring final touches. The next day at work I took it in with me to finish off before school, which, gladly I did. The result was that a colleague saw the drawing remarked how excellent it was and then commissioned my to do a drawing for her, from an old family photograph! (the original was not in great condition and only 8cm x 4cm!!

This has led onto more drawing commissions, the later being of a colleagues sister and fiancé for their wedding present/use for table places at the wedding itself.

I must admit, I don’t particularly enjoy working from photos in this way although I set myself little challenges with each one. The family group was to get the detail of the garden in the background, the couple texture and folds of the clothing.Anyhow, I have a few more in the pipeline and the money I get is a nice bonus

Picture artist alphabet – just for fun! K

admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:15:54 +0000

wincing – update

admin — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:53:43 +0000

ummed and arred about colour choice, sat in lounge and looked at Red Indian hanging on wall

I remember the time spent on this painting and it is still one of my favourites. The surface created by underpainting and applying several layers creates great depth (not visible in photo – as per usual!!!). The red used was one I mixed up some time ago, and as usual I store paint in old coffee jars, alas, it had become sticky and unusable. So I spent time mixing up another batch, the aim was to get close, which I managed. I have now applied the first red layer and have made some changes by adding more cadmium red to add a lighter hue/tone, I will see if this has been effective when next layer applied.
again – photo quality is poor……

some work in progress

admin — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:20:43 +0000

Able to spend some hours in the studio today – roughly nine hours non stop (apart from cups of coffee). Looking around, apart from the usual mess, there were several unfinished works. I’m getting keyed up for the next series of works… just three words and 100 ways to artfully say bollocks. I decided to work on these and hopefully finish them, clearing the way so to speak. One of the ‘unfinished’ pieces ‘ wince’ has sat around for a few weeks, after the initial sketch and mapping out. I had worked out the colours – a very pale blue grey with a strong cadmium red overlay. also, at the same time, I sat looking at the initial just three words painting and as usual decided to work on that instead.. when will I learn!

Recently, some of the paintings, although successful, I feel I have been missing a certain feeling, one which I haven’t captured for a while. Well, sitting and sitting, getting up and walking around can get your brain working, out with a pencil and started scribbling on the wall – came up with it; I like to layer the surface, putting undercoats of paint which show through in the final outcomes, this was it, I went back to the painting. I originally thought that the background would be white, but after working today, I’m not sure. Then again, I’ve just had a butchers and not too happy with current state. (the blue doesn’t come out on the photo!!)
‘Wince’ on the other hand is going well, using a colour base I used some time ago, made some changes to the mix more cadmium to sharpen it.

Bad light prevents photographing next stage – the blue is a base layer. Further images to be posted.

portrait work – new painting on the go

admin — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:53:21 +0000

well, I thought I might as well post another painting as I’m on a roll! part of the funny portraits series…
work in progress, first drafting of Payne’s grey, using 000 brush – no wonder I now have to wear glasses!

working title: Wince
50 x 50cm