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Doc-Hammer — Saint No.40
Published: 2005-04-09 02:07:20 +0000 UTC; Views: 30087; Favourites: 641; Downloads: 1090
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Oil on Canvas. 14"x18"This one and Saint No.39 [link] shows how close a study can be to a final.
I usually do a small (11"x14") study of a sitter to dick around with tones and the basic shape of these sitters head. A kinda bullshit "get-to-know-ya", where I pass the painting an orange that I have tucked under my metaphorical chin.
Because I work up these little studies to a final, and consider them paintings as valid and complete as the paintings that follow them - it's not really fair to call them studies. But I do... Because who really cares what I call them.
In the case of 39 to 40, I really liked what was going on in the little one , and thought I just needed to push away from the dead-on likeness of the sitter and bring out the crazy innocence that could not be seen in her, but felt. The room was thick with it. It was also important to me to give the sitter a bit more dark space in the second work, as to bring out some more intimacy.
Please remember: This is not case of repairing a failed painting by redoing it. It is only being inspired to tweak some "difference", and enjoy ripping myself off. I love/loathe them equally and I would appreciate if you tried to do the same. (I am trying to nicely advise you to not tell me your favorite... Don't pit me against me.)
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Comments: 92
I know that you made this comment like a hundred years ago. But I just got in touch with the sitter for this painting. She has magically reappeared as strangely as she disappeared. And she has informed me that she "is French". So, there ya go. You nailed it.
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Who knows how the hell I knew that... she could have been Russian...or English or Swedish...I don't know...I just went with the feeling of the picture. I thought it was the same model as one of your other paintings...I think.
Are you going to paint her again? She has a lovely face and sadness...{in that painting}. Good luck with all of your madness before the opening your heart must be pounding with excitement..either that or too much coffee.
au revoir!
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No, completely different women... I have used that person for another painting but I didn't post the picture. So, 44 is the only work you would have seen her in. And yeah, she is ultra-French. And teeny-tiny! She paints super-young (and looks it in real life) but she is like 33 or so. This girl here is like 21... And also looks pretty European. But she is not French, even though she totally looks it. (It's the Amelie hair I think.)
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i never tire of the saints. no matter how many times I see them, I am taken with their vulnerabilities, their humanities, their distinctiveness despite similarities (I think you have a bit of a thing for brunettes, and as a brunette, I think you've excellent taste.) each one has a secret to share, and a different story to tell. The new one is no different. I LOVE the complexities you've rendered in her lacy bra, it's really impressive detail work. As always, she has a timeless expression of humanity- to be viewed in both a positive and negative light. Other people here have already commented on her expression of innocence, and depending on my mood I see either that as a great strength, or, that it has been taken advantage of, and her breath has been taken away by the cruelty of a world that would take advantage of her purity.
The way her lips are parted and the light in her eyes are things I'd never expect another to capture with the same mastery that you have.
Thank you for this new saint. they're always a reminder of the beauty of reality
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Stunning, as always.
Hmm...I really don't know what else I could possibly say that could do this the least bit of justice. I think perhaps awed silence shall speak for itself.
*and the awed silence ensues*
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Wow, hahaha. Let me say firstly, some of the comments you get are just gold. Pure gold.
I really do like this, and actually, all of the work you've posted. The lighting is really what I like this best. In your old paintings, I think the thing that seems to be dramatically off is the lighting, like, it's almost... hum.. too synthetic looking, or too.. damn, I want to say 'killer klowns from outerspace-y' but I'm not sure you're gonna get my drift on that one. However, the almost omnious lighting in this work really... brings a certain allure and glow to it. I actually work in an artstore (in southwestern ct, so the Liquin spiel, I totally fuckin' hear you on that, I think a lot of W&N stuff is garbage.) so I'm curious about what oil paints you are using. And if you've tried Old Holland yet. (Ignore this if you *do* use OH, and I'm just making a fool out of myself here) and the brush cleaners. Master's is killer. Oh, god, and we have Bob Ross paints too, his 'soft oil colors' make me friggin' cringe.
But, ending this babblage, if you ever swing by ASW in CT, I'll hook you the hell up, somethin' fierce. Good times.
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Yeah, I do get some "golden" comments. Some people have a tendency to bash me as the give me a compliment. Kinda like when a guy hugs you and pounds your back at the same time. The physical abuse tends to take some of the uncomfortable intimacy out of the hug. I understand it, but it still puts the hurt on my ever so dainty back. The most hurtful one is the ol' "I know you get complimented all the time, so I won't do that." You know what I really get "all the time"? Yeah, it's people thinking that I get compliments all the time so they just skip right to the part where they goof on me. I had this one girl tell me that my early works have that oft-sought-after "Killer Clown" appeal. I know that I bash my own work pretty hard, but think of it like this, WOMAN: "God, I am getting fat." MAN: "Yeah, tell me about it. You look like a pig." That is helpful... Or it could go like this, WOMAN: "God, I am getting fat." MAN: "Look look fine, honey... But if you feel like going to the gym with me, I'll give you a lift."
Now, lets get right to the "great"... Where is this ASW place you speak of? 'Cause I am in CT more than the average New Yorker, and would love to get "hooked-up". And I will even give you the tenderest of hugs. To be hugged by me is like being hugged by a woman or like a ten-speed bike. I'm extra-scrawny. You just have to promise not to hit my back.
PS- I wash my brushes with whatever soap I have in the bathroom... I have tried every brand of brush cleaner and have come to the informed decision that "soap is soap".
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Aha, well first off, I promise not to crush you. And/or pound your back, that's just not nice, now is it. That's almost like the 'alright, time to let go' pat on the back. Aah, thats always a fun one. "Uhh, let go now? Yeah? Yeah? Please? Thanks.." I think I loathe that one the most. Perhaps I hug too long.. hmm.....
As for the store!
It's located on Route 7, in Norwalk. ((Yes, I could actually vague that up for you further. ))
The fastest way, is to hop on the Merrit Parkway, get off at exit 40A. Yeah, I know that sounds monsterously far awaaaaay, but it's not too far past Stepford. Make a right off the exit (you're pretty much forced to do so) stop at the traffic light. (There will be a shopping center on the left with a Super Stop n' Shop, a Bob's, and a Linens n' Things. (Oh, good times right there.)
After that little mess, on the left there will be a tiny chinese food joint, called 'Panda Pavillion', and next to *that*, a parking lot with a large, hideous beige building. That should say 'Jerry's ASW' in red, and 'Educational Innovations' in blue on it. The store is down the steps, in the basement. I of course, am the peon at the register with the multicolored hair.
And furthering on with the good times.
(If you wanna take I95, get off exit 15, then onto the RT7 connector. Get off exit 2 on the connex, then make a left. Hit two stoplights, then make a left at the Dunkin' Donuts, and then it's golly... Hmm, down a few stop lights, on your right. Well, past the McGarnagle's, and the Norwalk Hour building. The street that you can technically pull into to slide into the parking lot is called 'Knottingham' for some ungodly reason.
It's a pretty huge store. I'll definetly have to have you poke around at the Old Hollands, and so on. I am a little surprised about the brush cleaning! What kind of brushes are you using? Oh maaaan, you gotta atleast snag a little of the General's brush cleaner (it's like, freakin' pert-plus for brushes-- oh man, that's the worst analogy ever.) And blah blah blah.
So yes, you will get ferociously "hooked up". Good times shall be had by all. Dually awaiting my oh-so-alluring 'Hammer-hug'. As far as when I'm working or not, I'm pretty frequently available by AIM; perhaps I'll give you my number or something. (Like I wanna post it online though, right?) But yeah, it'd be my utmost pleasure.
Also, I'm wondering about what kind of brushes and shit you use too. If you're into the Simmons bristle Signets, or the Silver Ruby Satins. Oooh, they're so fancy..! And so on, and so forth.
Here is the website for Jerry's Artarama. It's virtually un-navigatable. Oh, and as for the snatch with the Killer Clown comment.
Ahahaah, whoops...?
I like all of your stuff, and I'm not gonna throw a 'but' in there or anything. And hell, there is nothing wrong with a little KKfOS vibe, is there? I just dig your shit period. I'll pause so you can pontificate for a moment.
Mmm, yeah, that's good. Good job. (You really do get some crazy-fucked up comments.)
When you come to the store, bring me in something! Like if you've got a smaller oil or whatnot, just to look at in the flesh-- er... linen. Or what the hell ever. And blah blah fuckin' blah!
Yeah, forgive the gargantuan reply, will ya?
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Yeah, and that link, because I'm a complete fool
[link] It really almost isn't worth going to, because of how confounding it is, but maybe you want a trial in patience, eh? Go nuts.
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Why have you got an obsession with women in bras anyway?
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your light is just beautiful...
looking forward to see more of your work!
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Been chkn out your gallery here and, well, you could do worse. Do you sell these illustrations to, like, Reader's Digest or somthin? Cause I dunno if I'd so much want to buy the paintings as date the models. Oh yeah, but nowadays you have to get old like Pearlstien or Freud before you can lower yourself to painting "unattractive" people. And whats up with the Saint thing. To my recollection Saints were not historically so Hot. Not like back in the day when old Carravagio was doin those dirty fingernails etc. Speakin of which: You kno, I like Tenebrism as much as the next paint slinger but geez, with all your talk about light and form, how about throwin a little more light on these babes? Why are they all in the closet? Are they hiding dismemberments? Well let them outside. Look at Nerdrum, whom, I am lead to believe, has done rather well with that somewhat obscure genre. I mean, say what you will about little Bobby Ross, at least he could hang a decent sky. Hey, I'm just messin with ya, purely out of jealousy. Obviously your paintings are beatiful. I liked your tips too. Never considered the possibility of not using turp (but I Don't leave my brushes in it!) Anyway, like I say, you could do worse. You could paint like me. Now that would really suck!
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There is definitely a difference between them beyond just the specifics of the pose etc... Something about the vibe. I can see what you mean about interpreting the innocense that can't be seen but I almost detect it in reverse: More in the other one. But I'm blathering. They're both terrific (I can't loathe them, sorry) and your work with texture and atmosphere is, as always, awesome.
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I'm so sick of seeing your work on a monitor.....I went to an art auction and saw some rembrandt etchings in person and it completly changed how much I love them...pictures give no justice....but your works do make me stop and stare every time....I love the lace and you did a wonderful job wraping the shadow to the contors of the face....you always manage to show more than just a sitter....I always feell like the sitter and I have met....and I always wander what she is thinking....bravo.
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holy shite you are so amazing! It really has the feeling of innocence. I eventually will have to make a point to get my ass to see some of your work in person no matter what it takes! If you ever need any models for your paintings me and my friends sit for part time work.
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When the colors are this rich, the image melts right into your retinas and alters your brain; Doc--
I'm altered
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huh. i like the contrasts between this one and no. 39, especially the change in facial expression. both lovely works in their own right, indeed
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i do love both of them... the purity of her expression is awe-striking.
wonderful work on the lighting.
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Wonderful work. Sudenly I see me envious. You are better then I with portraits.
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I love all you saints! Great choice to change her eyes and opening her mouth, there's more emotion in this than the "study". heh heh, they are ver finished.
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she is beautiful..the way you capture people's raw emotions within light is amazing..
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Ever felt the burning sensation of pure, unadulterated jealousy? Looking at your technique makes me want to give up painting. And this is just a lousy photo!
Anyway, you seem to be challenging the viewer to compare 39 and 40. I'd say your instincts were right on, 40 is more interesting.
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This is really incredible work here. Did you use a reference? Need to look at your gallery.
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I love both of them. At the first glimpse I thought I liked the study better (no39) it's more subtle and focuses more on showing the beauty of the girl I think. But there's something in the second (no40) that makes me appreciate it more the more I look at it. First I was turned of by the very black and heavy shadows, they seem to be a burden to her, but then again this look in her eyes seems to be an answer to this. There's a bigger mistery to this one, it's mystical.
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FUN: click back and forth between this one (No.40) and No.39! It is triptastic.
I really wish that I was a painter myself so I could give you some deeper critique on this and perhaps understand in full the agonies and joys of the journey you must go through in creating these, but I'm not, so I can only share with you how your art makes me feel...
I - for a brief fraction of a second as it initially hit my eyes - thought this was a photograph (your skills tend to have such an effect). It's not just your technical skill though that blows me away, when No.39 first popped up, I physically jerked back because, as I know I've told you before, the emotion and intensity you capture so well in the faces of the ladies legitimately makes me feel nervous and uncomfortable about something.
It's so easy to capture happy and sad in art... but this is something much different, a hell of a lot deeper and closer to human, and you've nailed it.
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Another good job. I'm impressed by how you did some subtle difference in the emotion. Kudos!
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I bow to your painting technique... I really enjoyed looking at this... you have all my respect... (added to my favs)
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I enjoy this but prefered #39; probably due to the warmth, the placement of the eyes, the closed mouth; the ambient light was less dark, too. Eyes were brighter, a lighter color in 39, and they were alive and had more of a fearful, expectant, haunted look. Here, the eyes have a glossy, unfocused look as if she's about to die. The lips are parted as in a last gasp. I guess that's actually good since she's a saint; aren't most of them martyred? ^__~ I do like that she's sitting up a bit more, less hunched than 39. But the warmth of 39 has turned cold here. 39 must be the expectation that she's in the last minutes before death, 40 shows us she has indeed been struck in the back with the knife, has stiffened her spine and now her face and the mood reflect the last seconds of life. Both paintings are exquisite and stunning, and I enjoyed pouring over the details and differences of them both. Excellent work.
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...she looks like she could be related to Mark Hamil. However you spell his last name. It's the expression on her face, the wide eyed, stare, that seems like it _is_ focused on something, but it's not something the rest of us can see. She's in touch with the Force, isn't she?
Ahem. Yes. Beautiful job here. Both 39 and 40 are great, but I favor this one....I think. The pose, the angle, her face....yesh.
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She looks very sweet and seraphic, with a subtle sadness (the alliteration was purely coincidental, I assure you). As always the eyes are perfect and the skin tones are dead on.
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Instant favorite. As I mentioned before, the model is certainly my favorite of those you've painted and that is in a great part due to that innocence. I think you captured that delicate nature and childlike innocence perfectly.
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Yes! Much more innocent, the saint ring and naive tilted shoulders help... I think thats the best thing about live models, you can somehow incorporate what you feel from the person at will. I enjoy the expressions you bring out from these people... just curious, what do you tell them to get them to pose so? 
P.S. I feel they are both very equal, such different approaches and feelings they give, I was suprised there was such a varience.
P.P.S. the orange analogy was tasty. I had to play that game once..... bad experience.
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I like this one only slightly better than no. 39, and I think it is because of the curiousity/innocence that emanates from her face here. They are both luscious and intriguing pieces, and being able to see two versions of the same subject is fascinating. Wow.
Thank you.
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it's incredible ^^ you can almost feel her skin, and the sparkles in her eyes... really great! The neck is really great also.
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amazing......... the soft light and shadows...... well done.
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