Developing references for the Cardinal

After I did the first drawing for of the crude maquette, I took some photos of it in different lighting conditions and made a Frankenstein version in photoshop.

I cut a hole in the top of this box to create a focused beam of light. I got this idea from reading about how Caravaggio would stage his models for his paintings. He painted in a room with a hole in the ceiling to create the same effect. 

The model fell on my carpet and got some of my cats fur stuck to it. I like the idea of giving this guy some strands of hair. 

Just another reminder that the goal of this isn't to take the spontaneity out of the process it's to be open to new ideas.

Once I turned off the lights in the room the effect from the single, focused overhead light really is dramatic.

I put some of the other elements I'm using as reference in the same lighting.

For the Red mozzetta (the shirt thing) I took a picture of myself with the fabric draped over the way I wanted. I'm too embarrassed of the photo to share it. 

For the Fabric Drapped over the head I used the same reference photo I used for the pencil sketch.

I will probably shape some smaller pieces of fabric and actually build the maquette more fully for better reference.

I also did a test to see what the shadows of the big gem eyes would look like by hanging the gems I'm using as reference from the "roof" of the box.

I don't think every piece I do will need this amount of pre visualization type of stuff. This is just the first piece where I'm really defining the reference material. So I'm just doing more experimentation with different techniques of doing that.

Happy December 12th everybody

Today I ran a bunch of errands. I had to go to Home Depot. I got 120 grit sandpaper and a long skinny piece of some kind of wood. 

I went to my local non profit book store. I bought a bunch of books that I'm giving as gifts, or to resell at my residency space at the Hive.

I got my payout for the last 2 months or so at the Hive. I realized I'm making more money off of my used books than off of my art. 

That's cool with me because it gives me a good excuse to go to this book store. I got a cool old paperback edition of DRACULA from the 80's with a good illustration on the cover. The artist is uncredited. 

I also got a copy of THE CASTLE by FRANZ KAFKA. I've never read the castle. But I like the METAMORPHASIS and THE TRIAL. This book also has a good cover. It features a painting called "Castle of the Pyrenees" by RENE MAGRITTE. 

I was surprised it was a Magritte because it has a more raw German expressionist feel than the clever surrealism that Magritte is known for.

I also bought an Alan Watts book that I'm not sure if I will keep for myself, sell at the hive, or give to someone as a gift.

I also got about 10 other books.

My total was 17 dollars. 

Then I went to the grocery store. 

When I got home, I had to cut two pieces of wood for my easel. Just to hold the canvas a little higher and away from the lip of the easel. Nothing special really.

But sawing two pieces of wood and sanding them, putting them where they were intended to go, and knowing that I had solved a problem by doing that, was probably the highlight of my day. 

Have fun

Goodnight

Sweeties