Harlequin
 

This is a painting from my imagination, although I did sometimes use my image in the mirror as a reference. It is 28 x 40", oil on canvas, and done a year or two ago.

Your work is attention-grabbing as usual, Thomasin. I especially like the work around the arms and hands, and the lighting on the face is very captivating. The way the figure fills the space and with the cropping off of the head is very effective--complements the gesture, the way she holds on to the cloth. Very nice.

Thank-you very much, Carlos. It is actually a male figure, even though I used myself as a reference. I just really used myself to get the lighting and colour and, obviously, the proportions less generalised than if it was totally made-up.

Carlos says it so well. I love this Thomasin! I thought the figure was female too, by your face, and the gesture with the cloth; but that does not matter. It is just a glorious and explosively inventive portrait!

Garth

Thomasin,

I was wondering whether the "Harlequin" title referred to the androgyny of the figure, the impression that it could be either male or female. You don't really know because he is holding up the cloth to hide his chest, and that is a traditionally female impulse. I like the contrast between that gesture and the defensive yet candid look in his eye. Beautifully painted as usual, too!

Garth, thank-you again for your very supportive comments. I appreciate them so much!!

Alex, the "Harlequin" title is about the character rather than the androgyny of the figure. I am very drawn to the theatrical arts and Rabelaisian hyperbole, and would love to, as I have mentioned before, paint something a bit over-the-top. Harlequin is a failure to achieve that as he is a more romantic figure than I initially wanted. Despite having an attraction for the grotesque, I always have a horror of it actually coming out in my work. Just one more of the mental battles I have with myself when painting.