Category Archives: Sources

Wrapping up the Greyscale Drapery

Posted on July 13, 2011 by pearce

Because I didn’t like the balance of the composition as it stood I’ve added more fabric to the left side of the dress, making it extend under the Queen’s hand and off the edge of the panel, creating a more … Continue reading →

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Posted on July 1, 2011 by pearce

I’ve moved on with a new piece, with Suzy as my model (I’ll get to the Green Man’s ears soon, I promise). I photographed her during a Figure Drawing class several months ago, thinking that this pose was too pretty … Continue reading →

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Doing it Rossetti’s way

Posted on June 21, 2011 by pearce

Based on what I saw in Birmingham (see this earlier post) I’m using a variation on Rossetti’s version of the famous Pre-Raphaelite wet white technique to create a study of Joe’s head as the first of a group of paintings … Continue reading →

Posted in Folklore, Green men, Making work, Other people's work, Pre-raphaelite, Sources | Leave a comment

Flesh

Posted on April 23, 2011 by pearce

I’ve started to lay down the first layer of flesh colour to the figure’s skin, using a velatura of Viridian and Cadmium Orange with Ceramic White, then popping in and blending a touch of Iron Oxide Red in the shadows, … Continue reading →

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Sealed

Posted on April 11, 2011 by pearce

Although the photo makes it a little difficult to see the blue figure I’ve completed the drawing and sealed it with Iron Oxide Red to make the next layers of paint work properly over the gesso. Without a sealing coat … Continue reading →

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Magic Sam

Posted on March 7, 2011 by pearce

To my great pleasure today my model for the Magician came to the studio to visit. Sam did a great job posing for the painting, so it was a real treat to see her enjoying it, although I had to leave … Continue reading →

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Alchemical Colours and the Dirt

Posted on March 2, 2011 by pearce

Fifteenth century alchemical process followed a sequence of colour changes as the work progressed. Black (nigredo), White (albedo), Yellow (citrinitis) and Red (rubedo). Now coloured, the flags in the landscape indicate that this is an alchemical image, with a blue … Continue reading →

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Michael Maier on Natural Magic

Posted on February 11, 2011 by pearce

Early Western science included the study of the medical benefits of herbs, alchemical experimentation with distillation and a philosophical understanding of the evidence of the handwork of the deity in the natural world. Because there was such a lack of … Continue reading →

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Belt up

Posted on February 8, 2011 by pearce

Instead of painting the face today I decided to continue working on the striped pants and jacket, bringing them to this state. It’s very satisfying to see the Magician emerging like this, the character is already so three dimensional because … Continue reading →

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Botticelli Lining

Posted on January 17, 2011 by pearce

Although there have been no major changes to the body of the painting, there’s been a great deal of detailing done to both the Empress and the girl in the pink dress, controlling the edges of the dress and flesh. … Continue reading →

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