Some examples of my work from the last 6 months

DCAC WALL MOUNTABLES

I have taken 4 of my recent paintings to the gallery in Adams Morgan. The exhibition will be open till August 29. The opening reception is tomorrow 7-9pm.

Here are the pieces if you can't make it to DC Arts Center:


'Worn Out' 16' x 20'





'Underwater' 16'x 20' each






'Flowering' 16' x 20'

More Figure Drawings

Male figure sketch in charcoal




Portrait in charcoal and conte crayon

One Hour Figure Studies

Pencil on paper





Conte crayon on paper

My First Experiments with Oils

Last week I was so excited to start my experiments with oils. They are so different to acrylic paints that I am used to. The drying time is very long so there is plenty of opportunities to improve the colors as well mess things up. I felt that one has to have more of a clear intent from the beginning about compositions as it's easy to muddy things up. Even the feel with which the paint goes on a canvas is so different. I would have to work for longer in this medium to see when I am to use oils versus acrylics. One thing is for sure though, I will be buying oil paints as the ones that I am using now are borrowed from a friend. Here are a few studies that I did last week in chronological order:

Reflecting Pond and Its Source of Inspiration

I have been working on 'Reflecting Pond' on and off for 2 weeks. I split the process of its creation into 5 steps. It was a difficult painting by I enjoyed the journey, for the most part.

Step 1



Step 2



Step 3



Step 4



Step 5




Step 6
Reflecting Pond, 32'x 32'

This painting was inspired by Monet's waterlilies and 'Orange Grove in California' by Arthur Dove. Here they are for your reference.




I started painting keeping those two pieces in mind but the process took me to a different path so one would probably not find any resemblance to them in my work. Although, I guess, I do have a reflection in the water.

It was a challenging process as my ideas kept changing. One of the struggles was that the lower part with reflections was not coherent with the rest of the painting towards what I thought were final stages. It is especially apparent in step 4. It turned out that way because I was using different brush strokes and color handling. After quite a few hours of trying to solve this puzzle even with advice from my painting buddies and a teacher it was still not working for me. Finally, what seems to have done the trick was using connecting lines sewing two parts together and then extending some of the movement into the lower part.

Female Nude

Today was my last figure drawing class and the teacher was commenting how far I have moved along which obviously I was pleased about. I still feel that I can do better and get frustrated if I can not get a line that I want.

The method I used for the picture below is drawing on a medium value paper with graphite adding highlights towards the end with white chalk. I found it hard to use white for lighter areas. It just doesn't have the same appeal to me somehow.