The Morning News

**Old Tex** · #1 02-25-2007, 08:15 PM

I continue to learn.

The Morning News ~ 8x10 Gouache

JamieWG · #2 02-25-2007, 09:53 PM

Bravo, Ralph! This is a wonderful piece---very expressive, with good light and color. Who is your model?

Jamie

**Old Tex** · #3 02-25-2007, 10:58 PM

Thank you, Jamie! I really appreciate the encouragement. I suspect you've already guessed. I didn't really try for a likeness, but there are similarities to the model, who happens to be the old guy who lives with my wife.

JamieWG · #4 02-26-2007, 07:15 AM

OMG! hahaha! Yes, I can see the likeness very clearly from your avatar! <duh!>

You seem to have an easy time with portraiture. As you know, it's the subject I struggle with most. Maybe if I do a small portrait sketch a day, I can start to overcome this a bit. It really slows me down in open studio figure drawing if I start trying to add facial features because I'm forever tweaking, erasing and reworking.

Jamie

**pinkrybns** · #5 02-26-2007, 07:37 AM

Hey Ralph,
Your gouache work is great!!
Been watching, but have been sick, so didn't comment till now.
Glad you're posting these here.

Judy

**Old Tex** · #6 02-26-2007, 09:36 AM

Thanks, Judy! I really appreciate it. Knew you'd been sick. Your cats have done a fine job keeping everybody posted. Hope you're feeling better.

Jamie, you couldn't have known. I just added my avatar late last night. One of my own struggles (among many) is hands. I just avoided them in my drawings, and now I'm paying the price. I should do the same: do a hand sketch every day.

As you know, I'm a real newbie with this painting business. Thank you both for keeping me encouraged!

meglyman · #7 02-26-2007, 02:43 PM

Ralph,

Another excellent work!

My only comment is that in some areas, you can see the brushstrokes in the background sort of outlining the subject. It doesn't detract from the piece at all, but I noticed because I've been trying to figure out how to avoid it. You didn't avoid it, but I think you used it to your advantage - it adds to the composition and is subtle. Every time you post a painting I learn something from it... thanks!

You did a great job with the hand.

Out of curiosity, was this from a photo or from life? The "reading the paper" posture and the "painting" posture are similar enough...

Meg

**Old Tex** · #8 02-26-2007, 03:04 PM

Hi Meg! Thank you!

I think the brushstroke thing depends on what you're trying to achieve. I'm working toward a "painterly" look (for lack of a better term), and in fact, when I start straying from my intent, my wife looks over my shoulder at times and says, "you're blending again". What I'm doing is probably not the best/normal/usual/etc application for gouache, but it's my medium of preference right now, so I'm determined to make it work for me.

This was from a photo of me posed reading the paper. The timer feature on my digital camera is a wonderful thing.

**pinkrybns** · #9 02-27-2007, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Tex

Knew you'd been sick. Your cats have done a fine job keeping everybody.

heh heh yes, those little fur people and their reports...

Ralph, I can totally relate to your wanting to stay 'loose & painterly' with your gouaches. I drifted from my own controlled world of colored pencil over to gouache work as well, it's what I found attractive about gouache (even though it can also be controlled). And I know you came from colored pencil too.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

JamieWG · #10 02-27-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Tex

Jamie, you couldn't have known. I just added my avatar late last night. One of my own struggles (among many) is hands. I just avoided them in my drawings, and now I'm paying the price. I should do the same: do a hand sketch every day.

We'd make a great team! I'll paint the hands on your figures if you'll do the faces on mine!

I had a figure drawing teacher for years who made us do at least one hand study in every class, so I kinda do 'okay' with hands, but I can't place a nose on a face to save my life.

Whew! I feel better about not recognizing you from the avatar, now that I know that av wasn't there before.

Jamie

**Old Tex** · #11 02-28-2007, 09:18 AM

I've noticed those of us who work in gouache seem to be few in number. If it weren't for you two Moderators and Meg, I'd be lost. I suppose I should also cross-post in other forums when I can. I just didn't see where this one would fit. HOWEVER... knowing you do work in gouache is priceless to me, because you understand the medium and its quirks. Thanks for being here!

meglyman · #12 02-28-2007, 01:50 PM

Ralph,

I know what you mean! I'm so happy when I see a new person post in gouache. It seems to be such a rare medium, and it's great to talk to people who've been there.

As with any medium, the best way to get better is to practice... but it sure helps to know you guys are here.

Meg

**Old Tex** · #13 02-28-2007, 02:01 PM

Hi Meg,

I've cross-posted in Portraiture a couple of times, and have been lurking around in Landscapes and Still Lifes, just observing. I'm going to try it all, just to see what I can do. There are so many brilliant landscape painters over there, that I don't know if I'll ever have the nerve to post there, but it's great inspiration. Even if I do, I'll cross-post here as well, for the gouache-specific feedback. 'bout time for you to put something up, isn't it? I'm curious what you've been working on.

Dueck · #14 02-28-2007, 06:46 PM

Oh, I like this one very much. My grandfather wears the same expression when reading the news.

JamieWG · #15 02-28-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Tex

I've noticed those of us who work in gouache seem to be few in number. If it weren't for you two Moderators and Meg, I'd be lost. I suppose I should also cross-post in other forums when I can. I just didn't see where this one would fit. HOWEVER... knowing you do work in gouache is priceless to me, because you understand the medium and its quirks. Thanks for being here!

Ralph, I think there are quite a few folks around the site who work in gouache. Part of the problem is getting them to post here in the first place, and the other part is getting them to stick around long enough to reply to others! I'd really like to see them all congregate here, but it's difficult getting people to come when there aren't so many utilizing the forum. This is a new forum, and hopefully it will build over time. It would help if any time any of you see a gouache painting around Wetcanvas, you let folks know we're here and need the support!

Jamie

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