Wednesday 25 February 2009

Lonely Londoner, 6" x 9", Oil on canvas board, 2009


This transformation was done yesterday from a sketch I did yesterday. this woman just sat in front of me like she was prepared for this.

This was tricky because I haven't attempted a three quarter figure yet and also with oils on an "Alla Prima" technique -It didn't give me my usual freedom, but this is a learning process for me too.

For this piece it was pretty straightforward

1. Give the canvas board a neutral grey background,

2. Sketch the figure in detail with charcoal pencil

3. Without wasting time I paint shape by shape with oil moving from top to bottom. The main things I note are the edges and tones.

4. Suffer when I get to the hand as my reference sketch doesn't have enough information.

5. I try to get back some drawing with the charcoal pencil but it is in vain.

6. Try to play around with haphazard strokes to unify the whole piece.

7. Have to stop because the oil is so wet all over, nothing seems to stay on again.

21 comments:

James Whitehurst said...

you really captured the emotion. very nice

adebanji said...

Thanks James

Anonymous said...

I really like the colours and composition, especially the lemony yellow pole singing out against the grey. Masterful!

artbyakiko said...

You have transformed her quite nicely! Her hand looks fine. Are you going to work on her more?

adebanji said...

Thanks Akiko, I might try something bigger but as for this one I won't go back to it because I see it as an "Alla Prima"

adebanji said...

Thanks Carolann, its sometimes amazing to hear the things that interest different people.

David Larson Evans said...

You catch personality very well.

adebanji said...

Thanks David!

Carol Horzempa said...

What a great way to paint! Just using a sketch and your memory. It takes a lot of talent and experience to capture the moment as yoy have done here. Great job and very nice painting!

James Parker said...

Very nice, Adebanji. I like the way you outline your steps...it's interesting that you do your beginning sketch in so much detail. Drop by and have a cup of coffee...and meet my beetles.

Fito said...

Excellent my frend, alla prima!! Fito

Stephen Gardner said...

I love what you've done with this sketch, I'm inspired man you got me thinking.

adebanji said...

Thanks Carol, James, Fito and Stephen!

L.Holm said...

I think she looks introspective. beautifully painted, and it's fun to read about your process.

Mary Paquet said...

Lovely work. I found your blog through your comment on Sheila's blog. I also checked out your use of acryllics on the Winsor Newton site. That company is my favorite supplier of watercolors. You are quite a success in the art field, no small feat.

dominique eichi said...

I love her pose and that yellow bright pole is so striking, I love the added yellow in her eyes/glasses and background. These portraits are wonderful. I just love the process you give us and the mix of medium you use sometimes. You are such an inspiration thank you Adebanji.

jsicignano2.blogspot.com said...

How interesting. Lovely work. You are very talented to be able to capture people in everyday situations.

Stephen Gardner said...

Great to hear about your process, really nice painting.

Marian Fortunati said...

Adebanji..
I am always inspired when I visit your site. I love the way you sketch people as you move from place to place... Your sketches capture so much... Your painting and the instructive way you've described how you did it are also fabulous.
I need to visit more often!!

Bronwyn said...

How do your subjects feel about being sketched? Do they realise what you're doing? Do you ask their permission, or just sketch away? What kind of reactions do you get from them, & from onlookers?

adebanji said...

Thanks Bronwyn, Sometimes they know, sometimes they don't. Sometimes I show them, we get talking and they ask me to send the images to them later on.
Onlookers love it, they love to see creative things happen and they collect my business card from me in the process!