Freja - Page 2

Alexandra Tyng · 01-13-2009, 11:27 AM

Allan,

The thing I like best (and there are many things I like) about your work is that you obviously enjoy the feel of the paint and the surface. In this sketch of your granddaughter it seems to me that the feel of the paint and your feeling for her are connected, so that they are expressed together. The blues and greens are wonderfully rich, I guess because of the copper showing through. Her skin glows in contrast. It reminds me a little of Sargent's oil sketch of his sister Violet, I think because of the brushstrokes and something around the eyes..

Allan Rahbek · 01-13-2009, 01:24 PM

Thank you, Alex,

how did you know that I had Sargent in my mind, or rather Clayton's explanation of Sargent's method ?

It's a nice painting of Violet and I see what you mean about the similarity of expression.

I can see how he laid in the opaque paint at first and then dragged a large dry brush over it to model the edges and drag one value into another as can be seen on the left side cheek and neck.

I started with laying inn the two medium values, a dark for the hair and a light for the face and neck, then modeling the big shapes of the head before painting the features.

Since I had to use the paint right from the tube, like I understand Sargent did, I might as well give the method a try.

You are also right that I enjoy the painting process and think that the paint structure is as important as the illusion.

The background was darker at first and I decited to lighten it. While shoving around with the lighter value I saw the copper coming through and liked the combination.

Tom Edgerton · 01-13-2009, 04:09 PM

Simply wonderful, Allan!

Mike Dodson · 01-13-2009, 04:12 PM

Nice work Allan. Definitely "Sargentesque".

Allan Rahbek · 01-13-2009, 06:02 PM

Thank you, Tom and Mike, for the nice words.

It's also a pleasure to watch whey you show your works.

Claudemir Bonfim · 01-17-2009, 10:03 PM

That was great. Masterfully done.

Allan Rahbek · 01-18-2009, 11:14 PM

Bonfim, thanks

I tried once more, just for practice.

Alexandra Tyng · 01-19-2009, 10:22 AM

Beautiful again, Allan! It is amazing how the artist can say something different using the same reference over again. I am assuming this a study for the portrait of your daughter and children.

Allan Rahbek · 01-19-2009, 02:18 PM

Thanks Alex,
Yes, this is a sort of study for the large painting of Janni,Thor and Freja.

Chris asked for photo's from the process and I was a little annoyed with the alignment of the features, the eyes.

So here is from the extra round!

I described the process earlier, but if anyone have questions to the demo, please ask.

Allan Rahbek · 01-19-2009, 02:20 PM

Demo