"The Stretch"
Oil on Canvas
28" X 24"
I just entered this painting in the Odd Nerdrum, "The Beautiful Nude" competition on Facebook.
It is being hosted by Helene Delmaire.
We all had to censor our paintings with little squares, but here is the actual painting.
If you have a Facebook account, please check it out.
I did this painting a few years ago when I worked exclusively in oil. Tonight I touched it up.
I am working in oil again, on new paintings and the turpentine aroma in the studio in heavenly. When I have had studios in my living space, I have a special affection for the smell of oil paint and Italian food!
I was looking closely at how I painted this. We all change from painting to painting and a few years later find ourselves in a very different place.
The paint is very thin. A series of washes over a pencil drawing. The pencil drawing is not really about capturing the figure, though I am drawing from life. I am looking for relating curves and spirals. Mentally trying to find and maintain an abstract design for as long as I can. When the figure final appears and I identify it, in this case a female form, then I allow myself to connect to the power of the image.
I was looking closely at how I painted this. We all change from painting to painting and a few years later find ourselves in a very different place.
The paint is very thin. A series of washes over a pencil drawing. The pencil drawing is not really about capturing the figure, though I am drawing from life. I am looking for relating curves and spirals. Mentally trying to find and maintain an abstract design for as long as I can. When the figure final appears and I identify it, in this case a female form, then I allow myself to connect to the power of the image.
