Casualty: figure painting

Due to the pandemic, open figure sessions are not an option. That’s why the name of this painting is “Casualty.” However, this painting is one of my favorite figure paintings from a recent open session. Therefore, I decided to include it in my 2020 series called “Favorite Things.”

In the Favorite Things series, I share a painting every week. I also share a link and usually offer these weekly paintings for sale. But this painting is not for sale. Why? Well, I will get to that I promise. But, first let’s talk about figure painting.

Figure Painting

What exactly does ‘figure painting from life’ mean? It means painting a living human being who is willing to pose in the nude. And, yes, there are professional models who do this type of work for a living. Some models are dancers or painters or creative independent contractors who need some side gig money.

Artists have been painting the human figure for centuries. Why? Well, it’s an incredible and difficult challenge to do so and do it well. Many art schools have used figure painting as a key component of teaching drawing and painting skills.

Open figure sessions give artists the chance to paint a live nude model in a communal setting. In fact, here in Raleigh, Alia Fine Art Studio offered open figure sessions every Tuesday evening from 7 to 10 pm.

These sessions are not teaching sessions. The studio provides a model, lighting, easels and space. The artist brings $15 and their own materials. Voila! Three hours of visual problem solving with like minded people. Sure is a wonderful way to keep skills up too.

Open Figure Session Alternatives

But because of the pandemic, open figure sessions are not happening. So what can a painter do? Well, there are many online modeling options available now. However, I confess I have not participated in any just yet.

Another substitute is to draw or paint a Master Copy. I absolutely love copying paintings. In fact, I copied several in 2019 but have not done so this year. With the Google Arts and Culture website and app, the world’s museums and their collections are a click away.

And, I have just thought of two other alternatives! Artists can draw from their imagination. And, there’s always the self-portrait or, in this case, the self-portrait of the figure. So you can see there are plenty of alternatives to painting from life. Don’t you agree?

Why not for sale

I am not selling this painting because I clearly remember how quickly and easily each phase of the painting flowed. I also had been practicing a different way of applying the paint to the canvas.

Prior to this painting, I tended to apply paint in 3 strokes. In other words, lift paint brush from palette, apply to canvas with 3 strokes. Typically, I would apply a down stroke, then an up stroke and a down stroke. So annoying!!! I wanted to break this habit! So I practiced painting a single stroke of paint, then I would step back. I practiced this on 3 different small panel paintings, one stroke at a time.

I also practiced applying paint on a rough piece of canvas with the goal of transitioning from two different colors. For instance, I would paint a block of Burnt Sienna. Then if I wanted to transition Burnt Sienna to white, I would mix the darker color with the white and – boom – apply the paint to the canvas. Eventually, that Burnt Sienna would transition to white.

If you look closely, you can see some of the simple brush strokes directly below the model’s collarbone. These were breakthrough brush strokes for me!

Now don’t get me wrong, I still have moments when I fumble and resort back to the old habit of 3 strokes. And, to me, this means I need to refocus my brain on the task at hand! But having this painting in my studio is a reminder that it can be done!

How about you

So, how about you? Have you faced a habit that you are trying to break? Aren’t we all? I’m sure you’re washing your hands like mad these days. But how about not touching your face? That is the latest habit I am vigilantly trying to break! I confess I still have work to do here. My neighbor noticed green paint on my face today! Accckkkk!

Do share what habits you have changed…or not…in the comments below! And, if you haven’t yet subscribed to receive weekly paintings and artist notes, please do so here. Take care and stay safe y’all!