The jock - step I... Trying another one with the new super smooth primed canvas...

Having some withdrawal symptoms from not painting for more than a week, I started a new one with a transparent approach in mind, at least in the initial phase...

My plan is to gradually introduce opaque colors wherever needed. I'm timidly starting to put some ideas on canvas these days, so technique is taking a back seat for now. In a way, I'd like to always paint the same way, letting the support dictate the final look...

Note: This is another one of my "smart ass title" painting, where the "jock" is represented by a cast shadow and a running shoe!

Montreal art contest... Thinking about my painting submissions.

Not much time to paint this week, as we continue our renovation project in the master bedroom. I've been thinking about the paintings I will submit for the upcoming Montreal art contest...

The one on the right is highly experimental while the one on the left is rather conceptual and fairly conservative. In my range of portraits over the last 3 years, they represent two extremes, and as such are fairly reflective of my current artistic preoccupation in this area. I may be able to initiate another painting on Thursday.

Note: I've been thinking about a new title for the painting on the left, "Don't cry over spilled milk" which seems to relate to the graphic design better. As for the one on the right, I will settle for "metamorphosis". My selection has to take into consideration the largest format allowed, i.e., 24 X 30 (most of my works are 36 X 36)...

The triumph of black over titanium white final... Mustering some intestinal fortitude!

After finishing painting the master bedroom with the "muse", I was ready for the grand finale with this painting project...

Needless to say, it's with a bit of anxiety that I poured some titanium white over this project... to connect once and for all with the title of the painting. I will submit this work to the upcoming Montreal art contest.

Note: Under normal circumstances, I would have subjected the white to the ambient pinkish light in this picture. I decided to tip the scale towards a failed extraneous attempt of a white pour at spoiling black, in this case a black beauty. I leave everything else to interpretation.

The triumph of black over titanium white - step III... Still trying to feel my way with fluo pink!

Pressed with time, another quick pass today led to this version...

... as I'm still experimenting with technique in an attempt to leverage fluo pink. In a way, this is going back to the techniques that I used 3 years ago, but with a different outlook and more experience.

Note to self: "More than ever, I want to use paint to speak up my mind!"

The triumph of black over titanium white - step II... Dragging my new "raw canvas" ways into this work!

This week, we are initiating a major renovation project in the master bedroom... so it looks like this painting will be finished in 30 minute spurts. I did a quick second pass this evening...

... rubbing paint instead of brushing it in a clear cut fashion. Ironically, I'm using zinc white with this one, at least for now. I don't want to obliterate the fluo pink underpainting completely.

It's still glowing... so far so good!

The triumph of black over titanium white - step I... Back to experimentation!

The other day, I bought stretched canvases from another supplier thinking that I could use them for giclée prints. It was not the case, so I have no choice but to paint on them. The surface is really smooth with virtually no textures on it, almost like hot pressed watercolor paper. It could be ideal for the continuation of my series with metallic paint. On the other hand, I' m tempted by another type of experiment today...

... using fluo pink as the foundation for this new work. I've been a stainer more than a painter lately, so I want to see the impact of such an underpainting using somewhat of a glazing approach...

... looks like I'm on familiar ground, i.e., facing the same challenge as retaining iridescence or leveraging a background color!
 
Note: This is a 22 X 28 canvas and I want this painting to join my "Smoke and mirrors" series...

Hacienda Dominicus final... Favouring transparency over opacity!

I kinda like watercolor effects on this type of canvas so, despite my initial intentions, I couldn't resist listening to what the surface had to say...

This is pretty much what I have to say about this subject using the techniques that I have developed thus far for rendering the human form. Before varnishing, I may add some reflections from the sky here and there for uniformity...