(Plein air) Poetry night

Oil on canvas  46.5 x 35cm

Lately, I've been working with my models in my studio. I do miss the smell of oil paint, thinner, and the open air of outdoor painting. With that in my mind, I went to a poetry gathering with my plein air equipment tonight. It took me about one and half an hours to have this oil sketch done. All I needed to do was to breathe and focus. I miss plein air painting and can't wait to go back to its routine once I've completed six busts by the end of this year.

I took this photo at the end of event. You can see people tiding up the place. Great night with wonderful friends!! 

Clay head statue Zamil( end of 2nd week)

Oil based clay bust Zamil

The reason why I wanted to have my model's eyes opened especially for this bust is because I saw a piercing gaze that I dont usually see from the people I work with. With flickers in his eyes, they stared into the distance. To me, those eyes seemed contemplating into their own thoughts and time freezed. But, later, I began to notice there's a pair of soft warm eyes surfacing from my model's face. I would describ the two different gazes with colors such as light blue and light orange. The mood of tempture of my model has changed. Very interesting. There are two more weeks to go with this bust. I can't wait to see when it's completed. 

Clay bust Musa & Zamil(2nd week)

Oil based clay bust Musa(front) and Zamil(back)

For some reasons, I decided to sculpt them at the same time. I work with Zamil for almost four hours in each morning session and then Musa about three hours in the afternoon. It has been almost two weeks that i work two sessions per day. I thought I could do it effortlessly but the truth is that I'm physically and pschycologically challenged especially in the afternoon session. Yes, my body's tired. My model teases me that I'm turturing myself by working so hard. I'm not sure whether I should laugh at myself or cry. There are moments i almost quit but guess I'm a stubborn person and i don't surrender that easily. It's the second week now. There are two more weeks to go. I'm not quite sure yet but hopfully i can finish them by the end of this month. 

Head statue Zamil (third session)

Oil based clay bust

This morning is the third session of my head statue Zamil. While listening to my music, my model Zamil explains how he prepares his Cuban food for his family and friends. I can see that he has a great passion for cooking. I really appreciate the time and effort my models put into being part of my work. 

Third & forth statue in progress

(Click the pic to get a clear image)
My third and forth clay statute are in progress at the same time from this week. I can't wait to have them both completed at the end of this month.

Head statue Musa(4th session)

Oil based clay head statue

Today is the forth session of my third head statue. There are at least sixteen more sessions to go. At the end of this session, I finally begin to feel its shape for the very first time and that makes me very happy. I usually pay very attention to my model's personal expression while I'm working on it. Everyone's unique. Some look sad, some look troubled. Some feel nervouse and some feel at ease. Guess that's the reason why I'm not able to work with photos. The resemblance is only the base. The most important is its state of mind that I'm looking for and I don't think I can figure it out from the pictures. 

(Plein air) Garden flowers 6

Oil on canvas
46.5 x 35 cm

I'm supposed to work on my third head bust in the morning but my model's busy so instead I'm working at my yard painting flowers. Lately, statue's sessions have become irregular and i have to extend the deadline. It isn't easy to find a model who's free, committed and consistant especially when I can only offer little. Sometimes, I ask myself that why can't I work with photos. I won't need to depend on my models' presents if I do. I know there are people only working with photos or have them as references. I would like to save my time and money by working with pictures but this method somehow doesn't suit me. I need to feel my subjects I work with.