Portraits v. Landscape v. Still Life?

[Allan Rahbek]

Hello Mikael,
It

[Mikael Melbye]

Dear Allan,
No, I don't always work the same way, but I thought that I couldn't do this fairly large canvas in one go (1,5ft X 4ft) and therefore wanted to have the opportunity to work a little like the old masters. Maybe some glazing and so on. We'll see what comes out of it. I sometimes use it in portraits too, but it depends very much on the mood of the portrait I think. When it is very "Chiaro-scuro" it sometimes is a help for me to start with a middle value and work in both directions.

The "pigment pen" is a water based very densly pigmented black or brown (rust) colored pen that can be bought in most drawing supplie stores. The good thing about it, is that it doesn't desolve with anything, as opposed to for instance the simple pensel drawing which disappears immediately with the kind of treatment i give it here.

The Danish Academy is not an art school, but simply an accademy for artists, scientists, authers and other scolars. They have two studios for painters and some music rooms for the musicians, the cellar is full of pots and other artifacts from anscient Rome for the archeologists and they have a great library. It is mainly a place of contemplation and inspiration. And of course it is in the middle of Rome which is the battery for all of us here. So that's why there are no models to do portraits from, so I'm afraid that's not what you are going to get from me here. You applie for a grant to come here, or you can pay for your stay as a privatist.

I'm glad you like the pines. It's so Rome that I just had to paint them.

Greetings from

Mikael

[Nicola Scott]

Hiya and welcome
I really like your paintig of the woman with her hands on the edges of the canvas.Great idea

[Linda Brandon]

Mikael, your "Nocturne" is extremely beautiful and haunting, thank you for posting it. I hope you'll get a chance soon to post examples of your figurative works in process, I'll be watching for them.

[Chris Saper]

Dear Mikael,

Just a note to let you all know that I have moved your "Work from Rome" to this section of the Cafe, where members post non-portrait work.

I have to add my compliments on these lovely drawings, great composition, and fresh style!

[Allan Rahbek]

I believe it

[Linda Nelson]

It's funny how so many of us suffer from the same affliction! I have always struggled with landscapes. I've always thought I suck at them (sorry for the bad language, but it's basically the right description). Well this winter I took some time off from the portraiture stuff, and tried my hand at "fine art". I did figuratives/landscapes. I find I really like doing landscapes as long as someones in the painting. It's like, for me, when there's just trees I don't have a subject to focus the painting around. But I tried a true landscape and did think it went well. So I showed all of it to some galleries, and they are carrying the work!

it inspired me to start a second website with the work -
www.LindaNelsonStudios.com

And then one connected me with Winn Devon Artist Publishing, and they actually like the landscape I did enough to ask me to submit a series of landscapes for their latest audition. I did 8 paintings in 2 weeks. It was exhausting, but I learned alot about what kind of landscape artist I want to be. It was exhilarating.

I won't hear til July about whether they like it enough to offer me a contract, but I'll be thankful either way that I had the experience.

So I got even more gutsy and landed some appointments to show my artwork to some major corporations. Medtronic bought a giclee, and Fair Issac actually commissioned me for a 4 x 6 foot landscape.

Unbelievable beginners' luck.

I also through this discovered Richard Schmid's work all over again. I ordered all his instructional stuff and am really impressed. I haven't had a chance to apply anything, but he really is a great landscape ans still life artist.

[Mikael Melbye]

Love the Sunflowers,
That's the looseness I'm talking about...super!

You must have done them a while ago though, I know the weather is lousy in Denmark at the moment.

Best of greetings from

Mikael

[Mikael Melbye]

That's fine, I'm sorry that I put it the wrong place, but be patient with me...I'l learn.

I'm glad you like the painting (or I should say beginning). I'll be putting on the last two days of work tomorrow for you to see.

All the best

Mikael