kabuki head

I found an antique kimono that I will use as reference for this painting. It is beautiful.

finding reference for the wig has been unsuccessful so far.

but I just got a new book in yesterdays mail, hopefully it will help.

Huntsman 28 Nov

so I haven't been completely idle although distracted again. I did a small clay modeling of the head and upper torso to work out anatomy and lighting.

today I will check the layout again and hopefully start laying down some paint.

Huntsman delayed

so shortly after posting the last blog, I was getting dressed for work and while balancing on one leg and trying to slip my other into the slacks, I lost my balance. Hopping and twisting and falling resulted in a strained lower back. I spent 4 days in bed.

I did take some modeling clay and worked on the shape of the huntsman so that I can hit it with different lighting to help determine how the painting light will be.

Plus, I came up with a new idea for a painting. The kimono will be large sheets of watercolor. The kabuki face will be very stylized like a woodblock print. the wig hair will be intricate for the design element.

The eyes, brows, and possibly the nose I will do on a new gallery wrap canvas I saw at the art store. It is cut at an angle so that it appears to float above the surface.

Will it work? I have no idea, but the idea intrigues me. I also have no idea where I will put it in my house.

The Huntsman

I got the image laid down on canvas. Actually, not the canvas that I made a special trip to buy (30x40) but more rectangular. I will continue with this one because I like the flow better. I might go back to the more square one later, who can say.
Next step is to follow Michelle's guidance once again and make certain that my point of interest is right where it is supposed to be.
I am excited by this image and wish that I hadn't run out of time today. But because I did so many chores today, I will have most of tomorrow for the canvas.

the Huntsman

got this idea about three weeks ago and have been doodling ever since. Today I think I finally got the image out of my mind and onto paper.

Here is the initial rough (complete with lines from the notepaper I was using) and a cropped version with some color roughed in.

I hope that I can keep the feeling of this little sketch all the way to the final piece, which will be as big as I can get. (I was hoping to do it 4ft by 6ft)