Gesture Portrait Study II


"Gesture Portrait Study II"
7x9 oil on canvas
NFS

In this portrait study I worked with a limited palette of Cadmium Red light, Yellow Ochre, Ivory black and Titanium white, which is also called the Zorn palette named after the late Anders Zorn. Click on his name to see a gallery of his amazing work and learn more about this celebrated painter and print-maker.

I have a lot more to learn using the Zorn palette but so far I am surprised how many colors I got from just four tubes of paint!
I realize now that I should have used more Yellow Ochre in the flesh tones.

I followed along with Jeffery Watt's demonstration using the same colors and subject he painted from and paused the DVD every so often to keep up. He shows a lot of color mixing on a glass palette with gray paper underneath. I tried the same thing and what a pleasure it is to mix oil paint on glass! Now I am sold on this kind of palette.

Update: Another thing I would like to share; I use a Masterson Sta-Wet Palette Seal that is a very durable 12 x 16 x 1-3/4 flexible plastic box with an airtight cover to keep my palette in. I was previously using a disposable paper palette that fits in the box. Now with glass cut the same size, it works out even better. I can also put the container in my freezer if I have unused paint. It will stay fresh for quite a few days.

11 comments:

  1. These last two posts are wonderful, Carol. It's so nice to see portraits that seem to have gone on exactly right the first time, with no poking away to get things right! And your excellent notes on the learning process make your posts really outstanding.

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  2. Thanks for the info on Zorn [cool name]and the feedback on the glass palette.

    As for the yellow ochre, I like the look of wind/sun burn ruddiness to this cowboy. I think it fits his ruggedness perfectly!

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  3. Great facial pieces .You have it down with the loose strokes. These are nice.

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  4. Great job... and great ideas... a perfect recipe for a perfect post.
    -Don

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  5. He looks great! I especially like how the mouth and nose turned out, lovely portrait!

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  6. Another great painting Carol. You can tell you have enjoyed painting these two portraits. I appreciate all the information too, it really helps.
    Thanks for your feedback on my blog.

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  7. This is a nice gesture portrait...I agree with Carrie about the nose and mouth, but I like the ear too!

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  8. Thanks for taking the time to give us that extra tip Carol! I'll have to check it out.

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  9. Great portrait Carol! Where did you get the photo, or did the cowboy hitch his horse to you fence post, and come up to your studio to sit for you?

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  10. Both these portraits are really great Carol and thank you for telling us about the seriously limited Zorn palette. Amazing skin tones.

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  11. These are wonderful Carol. I have been watching Jeff Watt's video but haven't got to doing my own yet.

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