Guess December wasn't a very productive month for me. Yikes. Well after being stagnant for a while, I'm trying to shake it off, and start something. Life has changed in many ways, and I'm moving at the end of this month into another apartment, but this time with a roommate, who also happens to be an artist. So let's hope this only helps with the production...if someone has a cure for laziness, please pass it on.
The new one I started last night is visually quite a departure from my usual style. I decided not to sketch in pencil as I usually do, but go right for the paint. Everything was done at one time, which is why it's fairly monochromatic and ... well, green tinged skin isn't attractive on anyone...so I'll be toning that down, no worries :) This started as "The Hypochondriac" after watching Pride & Prejudice and
Synecdoche, NY pretty close together. Both with major characters with many ailments and remedies. I realized, that the pose was more of that of an addict hiding yet painfully exposing their vice. So it may be changed to a different substance or possibly none at all. "The User" or "The Medicated" may end up being a better stereotype for this painting. Anyway, here's the outline:
I'm really enjoying the German Expressionism look of it for now, but obviously this will change - well, maybe only a bit.
Another stray note...for the painters who read this, have you ever used the "Indian Red" color by Winsor & Newton? The pigment is so strong, that the touch of red I was going to use turned into a lot of red. Good and bad at the same time I guess.
I forgot how important sketching was. For example...this is a study sketch for the face of a portrait I haven't started. This angle looked easy to me...and yet...lots of eraser. That being said, erasing is much easier in pencil than paint.
I made this goal for myself starting in February when I moved in to my new place. Application deadlines for MFA programs are in January and February and all need 20 finished pieces. For the first few months I didn't sweat it...I had all the time in the world. And now it's almost December...and I have 8 done. 8. So I realized the painful realization this weekend that I'm most likely not going to make my deadline. I know, I know, grad school isn't going anywhere, and it's fine to go a year later or a year after that or in 10 years. It's just a disappointing realization...that not only am I not going to make my goal but that I have another year of working jobs that I don't care about and am one more year further from my goal. 
