Today was a really eventful day as we finally began the process into painting.
As all modules start in class we began with the basics of colour theory and how each one best conveys various emotions and feelings.
I sped through the theory portion of the module as i couldn’t wait to just get started and get messy creating.
We where tasked with deciding on three pieces of work by various artists to explore how and why they have chosen to use the colours that they did and to then take inspiration from this and either re create their work or let those juicy creative minds go crazy
Above is “Blue nude” painted by picaso in 1902 and considered as one of his best works even at the start of his career. From the textured canvas to the simplistic but elegant line work of his models posture he didn’t hesitate to use the varying tones of blue to replicate the breakdown of sadness he was undergoing at the time of the tragic loss of a close friend. I like to think that the off white we see on the model is used to emphasise that his heart was so broken we can physically see his heart was shattered by this loss. Bellow is my humble attempt at replicating this piece.
In future i will definitely be adding acrylic gesso or commonlyknown texture paint to add an extra bit of oomph for the work to pop!
Next up i went with Warhols “Red Lenin” screen print completed in 1987 just months before before his untimely death due to medical complications. Like any warhol piece his choice of colour is precise and on point, that monochromatic deep red and black stare embodies the ruthlessness that lenin had to overthrow a monarchical regime and spread the red half way across the globe and im not talking about a rash here. I like to think that the red around him embodies the blood of all those lost in the struggle for and against marxism and as we see he is expertly posed resting on what appears to be a stack of two books being i think the basis for the splintering of marxism to leninism. to this day if you ask anyone what the colour red best represents you can bet communism is in the top 5 of the answers you will receive and the other version of “Black Lenin” has an even more eerily feel to it for those interested in viewing.
And above is my interpretation, painted with acrylic but after reading into warhols work style i feel like this is style is far more suited for lino printing, another project for another day possibly.
Now Onto the meat and potatoes, he’s the one the only mr.Grimdark himself John Blanche.
It was hard to choose a specific piece of blanches work so i was able to at least narrow it down to a small collection of works to derive inspiration from his nurgle work.
The contrasting bruised like orange and yellow tones ballance that paper white thin skin in these works you can almost feel the flesh fall off the bone, and the blended use of reds in specific areas add to the illustrated nature of horror Incarnate. The mix of various elements of media helps unify everything as a whole that each strengthens the others weakness.
There is something satisfying i get when i view his work that it doesn’t surprise me that he has heavily influenced a genre of other upcoming artists and has me returning to play games workshop games purely because i see models made purely from his conceptual ideas.
And using these works i took to my brush and used my inspiration to start blocking in shapes aimlessly if i am to be honest. initially trying to keep with those orange to yellow skin blends on a landscape similar to something lunarary monochromatic which soon escalated to a full on flayed man by adding flowing red, pink and highlited white lines to best resemble muscular tissue by the end of the painting process.
With this entry module to a close and finished before the end of the day i could help myself attempt something for just myself from the old grey matter itself.
Using the same process as the previous three i behold to you my Wight Queen, dead eyed in her rusted bronze crown adoring her moss covered breast plate.
Thanks for reading and if you’ve any tips for painting traditionaly with acrylics I’d love to hear some input for future attempts.
Peace out mike!
