[Abdi R Malik]

Karin,

I hope you are not upset, I think Steve was trying to test you. If I were you I would say "Ok I appreciate what you got but I believed mine is easier for everyone."

Ingres once forbade his students to see Rubens paintings because the master felt they would be corrupted by his color. I am trying to say let's take only the good things from the Masters.

I have a true story happened during the reign of a Tyrant from 1965-1998. I recalled in 1985 there was an artist got locked up behind bars because he painted a figure of future president in the year of 2000. The tyrant was being harassed and ordered to punish the fool. In 1998 by student movement/people power, the dictator fell down and the artist was set free. Miraculously, as if the artist knew that the tyrant were not gonna make it until 2000. The point is "Free to express the idea."

In my opinion contemporary art doesn't suffer at all in determining the value of classic/realism. I saw Nelson Shank's paintings which are amazing, realistic skin tone, texture, woods etc. There was time where the glorious classicism/realism faded by the emergence of impressionism. It doesn't matter every style has its audiences.

I admire yours just like everyody else.

Okay Karin I supposed to share my work and have your suggestion regarding precised skin tone. Actually, "I paint what I know" so adjustments are needed.

My work in progress, life size (24"x32"). Pallete for skin I used: burnt umber, titanium white, talens yellow, talens red, french ultra.

After various attempts I failed to have sharp and natural light. I use 700k pixels Digital Camera, indoors with daylight fluorescent. I plan to buy a tungsten floodlight which is cheap.

Regards,
Abdi