Robert

Kimber Scott · 12-19-2005, 10:34 PM

I did this in one 3 hours figure painting session. I was more interested in his face than the rest of him. I don't know, maybe, I'm getting old? Anyway, I used only vermilion, yellow ochre, white and black on this painting. It was the first time I'd ever tried that combination after reading about it in a brochure a fellow student had for a class being given over in California somewhere. (The class brochure said they used cad red light, but I was out of it.) I was very surprised at the results. I think the small palette allowed me to focus more on what I was putting on the canvas. Tell me what you think.

On edit: This painting is 18" x 24".

Linda Brandon · 12-19-2005, 11:24 PM

Kimber, I like this one very much. You have good strong head planes and lush paint handling. Are you using medium here? (I have vermillion on my palette also, it's quickly becoming indispensable to me. Which brand are you using?)

How was he lit? From above?

This looks terrific to me; you're doing just what you should be doing in an open studio session, well done!

Kimber Scott · 12-19-2005, 11:36 PM

Thank you, Linda. I didn't use any medium in the figure. I did thin the paint to tone the canvas, but other than that, it's just pure paint. The vermilion and yellow ochre I used was Holbein. The white was flake and the black was Grumbacher Pre-Tested Ivory. Yes, he was lit from above.

I'm not sure I understand the difference between cad red light and vermilion enough to understand why I should pay the extra money. I'd love some insight on that. Why do you choose it over cadmium red light? I mean, I really like what happened here with the color, but could I have done the same thing with cad red light? I don't know. I bought the vermilion out of curiousity and had to use it here out of necessity. I'm wondering if I should keep buying it, or not.

Alexandra Tyng · 12-20-2005, 09:58 AM

Very nice, Kimber! I agree with Linda that you've done a good job of describing the various turnings of his head. I'm especially drawn to the color and "feeling" of the side of his cheek and forehead. He's a definite presence!

Hmm. . I'd be very interested to hear about vermilion vs. cad red light. I've always used cad red light and I've found it to be truly light, clear, and useful in lots of situations. Recently I discovered another red (recommended by John Ennis), perylene red by Gamblin. It looks more like a true mid-spectrum red, and it mixes with white and with earth colors very nicely for rosy skin tones.

Kimber Scott · 12-20-2005, 02:35 PM

Thanks, Alexandra! It was one of those rare painting days when things just seemed to click for me.

I guess now I have to try the perelyne red. Everytime somebody mentions a color, I have to try it out. I just get curiouser and curiouser. I suppose I should do a test with the vermilion against the cad red light and see what happens. When I get the perelyne, I'll see how that stacks up as well.

Linda Brandon · 12-20-2005, 04:52 PM

There's nothing wrong with cad red light, especially in a hot light studio setup. It's just a personal taste issue for me. When I see a red I want to splash around in it, so vermillion (mine is Michael Harding and - my opinion only - it is more manageable in mixtures than a cad red) is my attempt to stifle myself. (I just painted my bathroom vermillion, if you can believe it.)

A lot of my work lately has been in indoor natural light and I'm trying to get my color less flashy and concentrate more on other design elements of a painting.

I've got three reds on my palette at the moment - the vermillion, a transparent earth red and what is (probably) close to perylene red (a cool red, similar to alizarin but more permanent, right?) called "irgazine ruby". By the way, Studio Products makes some truly wonderful reds well worth trying out. (That SP Vermillion looks great - anybody have some?)

Alexandra Tyng · 12-21-2005, 09:41 AM

Okay, now my curiosity is reaching an all-time high and I've got to try the vermilion. Actually the perylene red is not nearly as cool as alizarin. It's more smack in the middle between cool and warm, and it's kind of medium strength.

Chris Saper · 12-21-2005, 09:38 PM

Kimber,

Lovely, rich, strong and engaging color. I love this.

Gary Hoff · 12-22-2005, 12:38 AM

Kimber, this is smashing. Lovely work. Thanks for the look.

Kimber Scott · 12-22-2005, 01:29 AM

Lynda, I think vermilion is a great color for a bathroom. I'm a red person myself. It's so seductive...

Thank you Chris and Gary for your kind words. They are much appreciated.