I'm tryin' again

Carol Broman · 02-16-2005, 09:40 AM

You need to buy yourself some oil paint and a canvas and get cracking! You have a gorgeous painterly style that is just screaming to be translated in a wet medium!

Very inspiring. Thank you!

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-16-2005, 01:29 PM

Thanks very much guys.

Carol, I had been taking oil classes but it did'nt work out for a few reasons. Once things get better, I have intentions to start up again.

Thanks again.

David Draime · 02-16-2005, 02:13 PM

Jimmie,

You have raised the bar for pastels. Thanks a LOT!!!

Sharon Knettell · 02-16-2005, 04:18 PM

Personally I think (ahem) that pastels are underrated as a serious medium. They have a freshness, immediacy and sparkling color that oils sometimes cannot touch. In the 18th century pastellists were banned from showing their work at the French Salons' annual show because they outshone the oils. That helped speed their decline in popular usage. Most of us remember Degas from his beautiful ballet pastels, which he devoted himself to later in his career.

That said, I want to congratulate Jimmie for the beautiful piece, bringing pastel into the 21th century. It was not too long ago he was wallowing in his first effort trying to make sense of this particular medium. That usually happens in the first several attempts. That he was able to do this lovely piece on his second try is remarkable.

Beautiful blues Jimmie.

Secondly, I would not worry about getting closeups of eye details, there is usually distortion and the excess of detail can make our efforts look rather photographic and less painterly.

Terri Ficenec · 02-16-2005, 09:45 PM

Oh, Jimmie--this is stunning.

Jean Kelly · 02-17-2005, 12:58 AM

Jimmie, this is unmistakenly your work. You've managed to create your own little niche and a style all your own. Congrats on a wonderful piece!

Jean

Rob Sullivan · 02-17-2005, 09:59 AM

Jimmie, I understand from your posts how much you labored over this - but it was totally worth it! Look at this! I hope you see what everyone else is seeing here, because we're seeing gold, my friend.

Since this is in the critiques section, may I make a very, very minor suggestion? Everything is so amazing in this piece, so this little thing sort of caught my eye. The blue of her shirt (a great blue, by the way) looks to be the same blue of the moon tattoo. Since these things overlap, there is a bit of confusion at first glance. Perhaps the tat (since it's small) could be a slightly different temperature blue?

Like I said, a small thing. Even if you left it as is, I'd still call this fantastic, and your best to date.

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-17-2005, 07:05 PM

Quote:

You have raised the bar for pastels. Thanks a LOT!!!

Uhh, you're welcome? Now all I need to do is stress over making the next one better! and the next one, and the next one,.....

Sharon, thank you. I always go to the Degas rooms every time I visit the Met. IMO, it's the purest, most beautiful collection there.

Quote:

I hope you see what everyone else is seeing here, because we're seeing gold, my friend.

Thanks, but that's EXACTLY what I'm always thinking when someone likes my work. Why do other people like it, and why don't I see it? I wonder if it's mainly technique, is it a connection to the model? I usually look at my work and wonder if I would like it if I did'nt do it. There are many pieces by other artist's that I like that I can't explain.

Quote:

The blue of her shirt (a great blue, by the way) looks to be the same blue of the moon tattoo. Since these things overlap, there is a bit of confusion at first glance. Perhaps the tat (since it's small) could be a slightly different temperature blue?

I chuckled when you said "a great blue" because, holy cow, I used so many different colors before finally coming up with the shirt. Burnt orange, few shades of ultramarine, cobalt, grays. Ughh.

Anyhoo, I was planning on graying the tattoo a bit, I agree about it running into the shirt.

I posted a couple of pics on my site under "current work" showing a pic from the near beginning till now, and it's a big difference.

Thanks all.

Geary Wootten · 02-18-2005, 03:54 AM

Jimmie my friend, this is such very good color work. Everything aspect of the work you've poured into this adventure has paid off big time. Coolest pastel portrait I've seen in a long time!

I have to tell you though, just for kicks and giggles I converted it into b&w just to see if it smacked of that typical "Jimmie" stroke in the value range. It DOES!

~Gear

David Draime · 02-18-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmie Arroyo

Now all I need to do is stress over making the next one better! and the next one, and the next one,......

Jimmie, I'm sure this stress will moderate, lessen, as you get used to the medium. I'm working on my first pastel and, man, parts of it are so frustrating - stressful!! (I now understand Jimmie, I feel your pain!) The stupid pastels aren't doing what I tell them to. They're not cooperating. (But I will make them behave. They will be tamed.)

Because you were generous enough to show us this piece in stages as it developed, we can all see how you've worked out a lot of problems on this one. You have a great eye. Medium, schmedium. It won't be long at all before you find your groove.

David