Farmer

[Gary B]

Prismacolor and verithin colored pencils, 14" x 18" on light blue/gray mat board.
<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Feb-2001/Farmer.jpg" border=0>


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It's just a matter of time.

[LDianeJohnson]

Hello Gary,

You truly captured the character of this man. The joy, power, and quiet spirit of the farmer. Very good techinique. And the particular item that really works for me is that lone wisp of a corn leaf coming in at the right top. This keeps the eye from going up and out of the painting.

The otherwise hard lines in his face are gently handled so his face appears like soft flesh instead of tough leather. And the shirt fabric is beautiful.

I love the reflected light on the primary leaf to the right of the figure, however, the highlight seems just a bit too bright. It may just be the scan which can sometimes put more contrast in the highlights than is really there.

Wonderful, strong piece. Thanks for posting this.

Diane

[Gary B]

Thanks. A...

Yes, the greens in the scan lean toward avacado rather than the green in the original. Actually the difference comes from the photographic print that I scanned.
This makes the contrast of the highlights a little too pronounced.

As you probably know, corn leaves are really shiny and slick.

When I went out to the farm to take ref photos, I found the old guy all spiffed up and ready to get his picture taken. I originally wanted him to be all sweaty and mussed from a day in the fields. I didn't have the heart to say anything, intending to fix it on the painting. When I began the sketches, however, I realized this proud G Wood look was exactly what I wanted. Stuff happens.

I still have this hanging on my studio wall as a reminder to just let it happen.

Gary

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It's just a matter of time.

[JeffG]

Really nice piece, Gary, and probably the most funnest personal site I've seen here. Pen & Ink, watercolor, Airbrush, paper sculpture... quite the Renaissance man!

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Jeff G.

[Suz]

I like this a lot, it makes me wanna be a farmer.

This is an example of a portait that one would buy even not knowing the person. It expresses a feeling that I can associate with the general idea of a farmer and it makes me feel good.

Rock on, great work.

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Suz.

[tammy]

Wow! colored pencil? Very nice!

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Don't worry, its gonna be all right....
Tammy's Home for Artists (http://tammy.artistnation.com)

[Ohju]

Gary,
You did great! Too bad there wasn't any sky in the background? nice piece, keep it hanging! http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

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It's only ART...but I like IT!

[weece]

Fantastic,a joy to view, what a great job,I wouldn't change a thing.

[Gary B]

Thanks all...

I've always liked this painting and had 5 prints made for the family after Joe Wright died.

Gary

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It's just a matter of time.

[jioRji]

This is really great. I never get this kind of perfection when I use colour pencils. I think you've successfully captured his mood. HE seems very proud of his corn. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

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~jioRji~
Whispering Grounds (http://jiorji.cjb.net)

[campsart]

Very nice work Gary. I was thinking of taking up color pencil but have always wondered how difficult is it to layer color upon color?

Will be looking for more...

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"Art is a jealous mistress and if a man has a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture or philosophy, he makes a bad husband and an ill provider."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1888), American essayist, critic, and philosopher.

[digistyle]

Can't add much more to whats already been said about this very personable portrait. Excellent work.

digistyle

[Linda Ciallelo]

Yes, I agree, this is very good, very enjoyable. You have a good eye for composition too. Charming!
Linda