Megalith 9x12 oil on aluminum (acm) panel Available--This will likely be sent to a gallery for an upcoming show TBD. $4200 |
EXPLORING PAINTING FROM IMAGINATION |
In preparation for the workshop in Wisconsin, I made these two paintings to test and refine my recently developed process of painting from imagination by starting with pure abstraction before heading into representation.
I decide this painting will be a dark painting with a light focus. I paint an abstract composition, isolating an area of focus by using light and color. In this stage, I force myself to purge all thoughts of what objects I will be representing in this painting: |
I start the representational phase. I begin to interpret the abstract marks and masses into objects. The way my focal orange and red were mushed together with the knife reminded me of a cast shadow, so I made that shape into a pear and little vessel, and placed my light source coming from the upper right (highlights and shadows to be placed accordingly): |
Filling out the rest of the painting with objects. While I define my objects, I make sure to preserve the original compositional intent of the abstract painting. I let the existing colors, values, and textures inspire and guide me: |
The longest stage of the painting was here. Refinement, experimentation, searching. Here is the finish: |
The Orange Pear
9x12 oil on aluminum (acm) panel This painting is SOLD |
For this next painting, I decide to make a light painting with a dark focus. My first marks on this panel are the focal dark red and blue masses on the right. The yellowish light background is applied to support/isolate that focus. The green flanking masses are meant to be supporting elements, and the yellow areas are tertiary elements which are meant to be more ghostly and melding with the background. Again, during this abstract stage, I'm not thinking of any objects in particular:
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On to the representational phase. I start defining the objects, focus first. I allow the existing abstract marks to inspire me but not constrain me. The blue/red dark focus becomes a small red glass and a dark pitcher. The greens turn into a glass bowl and vase--I make them glass so that I can push them towards a higher key which will reinforce the darkness at the focus. The yellows become flower-shapes. As I interpret, I'm using the masses to guide me with not only the objects but also the cast shadows--and so the direction of light falls into place (from upper left):
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Developing objects, getting more specific: |
The bottom right area with the front face of the ledge was distractingly empty, so I revise it. I'm experimenting with colors and values to push focus, and create depth and atmosphere. I suppress the urge of needing reference in order to get more specific with the objects. I trust myself and concentrate on making a painting, not on making an fully realistic depiction of things: |
And here is the finished painting: |
Phantom Assembly 9x12 oil on aluminum (acm) panel Available, $4200, upcoming location TBD |
EMPIRE INKS WISCONSIN WORKSHOP |
This is Colt. He's a business owner (major tattoo ink company, tattoo shop, etc) and a visionary. After attending several of my workshops in the past, he invited me to teach during the Empire Inks workshop/ art retreat with a group of incredible tattoo artists. |
Colt provided us with an awesome experience. Very unique. Everyday was intentionally infused with collaboration, discussion, and the exchange of ideas. Here is a picture of the group (some of us are missing here, as this photo was taken on the final day, which was optional). Colt, his family, and the Empire Inks team were amazing and generous hosts. |
It was a privilege for me to teach a totally new and experimental workshop to this group: Painting Still Life From Imagination. I was excited/curious to know how it would be received. |
After an introduction and slideshow of the method we'd be exploring, I began my demonstration. Jake Bussie caught some of the initial moments. Here is my first mark. A focal light in the dark: |
Here is the finish of the abstract stage: |
And here is the finish of the representational stage: |
Gleaming Orange (Workshop Demonstration) 9x12 oil on aluminum (acm) panel This painting is SOLD |
It was inspiring and so much fun to see what people could come up with. I didn't gather as many before-and-after shots as I would have liked, but here are some examples from the group. First is from Gifford Kasen. This is the near-abstract stage: |
...and the finished stage: |
Here is Joel Kendellen. Abstract beginnings: |
Here is a finished stage from Jake Bussie: |
Here are some photos from the weekend: |
The weather was beautiful and so it was a very indoor/outdoor experience. |
The 4th/final day was all for fun. We went paintballing. Here is Colt sharing some strategy and technique with me. |
I came away from this workshop/art retreat both very inspired to paint and fully refreshed. And excited to continue teaching my approach to painting from imagination. Speaking of....... |
My upcoming workshop at Townsend Aterlier in October has been revised! Instead of a normal still life workshop, we’ve decided to make this one Painting Still Life From Imagination (From Abstract to Representational)! Can’t wait to continue sharing and exploring this new process with more people. Registration is now open.
Description:
10/24/2024 - 10/27/2024
(4-Day) Thurs-Sun: 10am-5pm
Chattanooga, TN
We will explore my approach to painting still life from imagination. Learning how to let go of the need for visual reference has helped me to grow dramatically as a painter: I’m freer, more creative, more intentional, and I’m able to trust myself in a way that makes me more versatile when painting from reference. The core of this workshop is all about intentional/rational composition and creating a strong focus (as is always the case in my workshops). My process for painting from imagination involves two main parts: First is the abstract stage. We will begin painting with pure abstraction (with no preconceived ideas) using compositional strategies to build a strong focus. Next is the representational stage. We will interpret the abstract composition into a scene from the imagination, trusting our memories and preferences to build objects and atmosphere–a process of inventing, playing, analyzing, and experimenting.
Although this workshop is open to all levels, more experienced painters will find it easier to focus on the subtleties of composition and will be more confident in recreating the behavior of light when painting from imagination. A solid drawing background and a history of observational painting is highly recommended.
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The Orange Pear
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Gleaming Orange (Workshop Demonstration)
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Thank you for reading. Until next time, Best Wishes -David |
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