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PHASE ONE OF THREE: THE UNDERCOAT. Sunday, August 30th.
[“Marfa One”, which I started this weekend.. Click on image to enlarge etc.]
A blank canvas (see above) that I finished doing the white acrylic undercoat for, earlier today. Four-foot-by-four foot. Titled “Marfa One”, it’s will be the first of The Marfa Series.
Now to get cracking on the pencil…
[UPDATE: Monday, 31st August, 24 hours later:]
PHASE TWO OF THREE: THE PENCIL.
[Click on images to enlarge etc.]
[Close-up. Pencil lines etc.]
[Close-up. Taken from the side etc.]
Yesterday (Sunday) I cranked out the pencil. Took forever, but it was worth it. Besides some very small touch-ups at the end, I did it all in one session. No messing around.
I got myself in a mind-set that, although it’s large and on canvas, it didn’t intimidate me. I just treated that four-by-four-foot, two-dimensional surface like any other drawing, like any other page in my sketchbook. I didn’t treat it like “ART!!!!”. I just did my thing and got on with it; not a lot of fuss.
I think that’s how I’ll approach all my big pieces from now on…
PHASE THREE OF THREE: THE INK.
[Update: 24 hours later, Tuesday, September 1st, 2009.]
[Click on image to enlarge etc.]
Made a good start yesterday on the inking. Hope to finish it by tonight etc.
This is always the hardest part of making a big drawing. The temptation to “rush it” gets more and more overwhelming, the closer you get to the finish line. But last-minute rushing can easily ruin it. Oh well, I’ve been here many times before, nothing I can’t handle etc.
[Update: 24 hours later, Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009.]
[Click on images to enlarge etc.]
Got up this morning at 4am and put the finishing touches on Marfa One.
It’s done…
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I really like it so far!
Ah, the “bare” canvas. She sits patiently, stretched out and silent, waiting to tell her tale. Hungry for the brush. Parched for the paint. Ready for the dance – the dalliance with her liberator – the one who sees her as she really is.
Best, Robin
Tell us more about Marfa One…waiting with bated breath…
Incredibly intricate. I love it. Seems like the sort of image one could get lost in for hours.
Was in the midst of a Anthony Bourdian “No Reservations” marathon the other day (repeats on Travel Channel) and one with my favorite writer (Jim Harrison) and one of my favorite artists (Russell Chatham) … Chatham on painting (some take a year) … “you see them from different distances, from 30 ft, from 3 ft and from 3 inches … you see a different painting each time.”
http://www.russellchatham.com/
Keep up the good work(s)
I think I really most like the first ink phase with little islands of ink drawings scattered over the canvas. But, I also like the finished product with pencil lines showing behind the final inking.