The DOODLES, DESIGNS, and aRT of CHRISTOPHER BURDETT: A Brave New World - Part 3

Monday, January 2, 2012

A Brave New World - Part 3 - The Unexpected Journey

As I mentioned in my posts last Wednesday and Friday, I have been working on my first traditional painting. Today, I bring you the conclusion of my first attempt. Since I was focusing on the figure to get my feet under me and to get accustom to handling the paint I concentrated on the figure and had left the background untouched. In my last day of painting I remedied this situation. I have for you again a progression of my work in more or less hourly increments showing the painting as a whole, medium shot and close up...

Full image painting progression. I was happy and a little surprised with how quickly and easily the background laid in to the piece. I of course had to make some modifications to the figure to better tie the two together and make sure that the light was consistent. One thing that the background was... it was really FUN to paint!

Medium shot painting progression.

Close up painting progression.

I have a couple more tasks ahead of me before I call this first painting done and begin working on a second... I need to find a good way to make a digital backup, I need to sign it, and I need to varnish it. I have taken some photos of it, but they are not doing a good job of capturing it well and the colors are all off a bit. I will be scanning it hopefully later today since it is only 11 x 14 and I am hoping for some better results (this is now done, see below!). I also need to make a decision on varnish and move forward with that. I know I have a lot to learn with working traditionally, but this first painting does give me a sense of hope that I am not crazy for attempting it. I look forward to making more work traditionally... but my clients should fear naught! I am not moving to traditional media for my hired work. This is something I am currently only doing for myself.

*UPDATE* I have now scanned the painting and leave you with a much better reproduction of the painting which shows the detail and color much better and is MUCH closer to the original then the other photos I have been posting...