Let 'er Buck! (xp pastel)

**rugman** · #1 08-04-2011, 01:18 AM

I thought I would try another pastel using a more abstract or surrealist approach.

Im trying to paint something unique, escpecially for western art.
Im really interested if you all like this style or not. So many people want art to look "real", whatever that means

16 x 20 pastel on primed masonite

objectivistartist · #2 08-04-2011, 02:36 AM

oh, NICE one - great colors, good pose...

scatdaddy · #3 08-04-2011, 06:21 AM

Ron, I'm one of those that is into "realistic" stuff which is, in my opinion, merely illustration and not necessarily art. These last two pieces you have posted, this one in particular, have established you as an artist, in my eyes at least. I've been hanging around this site for several years now and in that time have seen some outstandingly good work and these last two pieces of yours have impacted me as much as anything I've seen to date. You seriously need to find a reputable gallery to represent you. I'll be interested in watching where this takes you.

case · #4 08-04-2011, 08:52 AM

I think it is beautiful, Ron. I think it is common for people to expect realism in art. There is a misconception that the more realistic the piece, the better the art is. I don't buy into that at all. I love your surrealist piece. It is so much more interesting than if it were simply a realistic drawing or painting of the scene. I do the later quite often, but for me it is more about gaining further understanding of the subject matter. I hope someday I will evolve to be able to something really cool like what you did here! This takes more than the ability to render a specific likeness. It takes instinct, experience and probably a host of other things that one can't define.

I like the color palette you used. I would like to hear more about your process with this one. Do you use a software program to alter an original image and paint from there or did you use a photo and paint it this way from your head? I just can't get over how cool this looks!

Lisa M · #5 08-04-2011, 09:02 AM

Way cool. Do more!! This may be my favorite of yours so far.

a kitty smiley just for you

ChapR · #6 08-04-2011, 09:58 AM

I thought Urban Cowboy was terrific and worthy of gallery representation and this piece just confirms that opinion. This is a superb departure from most 'western' art, which like its cousin 'wildlife' art, is almost expected to be photo-realistic. You are definately on the right track. Can't wait to see what comes next. Wishing you much success.
Chap

jim56 · #7 08-04-2011, 11:25 AM

Ron, This is really cool! Love it, just love it!

As far as the style, I think your onto something. Keep exploring in this direction. Once you go in this kind of a direction, design and balance is more important than ever. This really has that.

There are 2 things I see that may or may not improve it. Just my thoughts.

The 2 thin rails (on both sides of the rider) in the upper portion of the painting--do they really need to be there? Removing them would simplify the image and help the eye focus on the action.

The other is the light color of the ground at the bottom. It works so perfectly on the right side but on the left it is like a stripe that runs parallel with the bottom of the painting. If you angle it off the bottom so the left corner is the darker value it may look better and balance what you have going on the top half.

I hope I made sense of what I am thinking. I was going to retouch it to show you but I am hesitant. That kind of seems like your messing with someone painting.

This is such a good painting as it is. I think it is my favorite of all of your work. Great job!

gfxwiz · #8 08-04-2011, 11:39 AM

Ron - Personally I love this kind of stuff. I run into the same issues you described with watercolor. There are traditionalists that think a given medium has its own stylistic requirements. Though I certainly appreciate the talent and craftsmanship that realism demands, if I wanted my subjects to look "real" I'd take a photograph. I prefer paintings to look like paintings with rampant artistic license. I love your piece - very eye catching and full of motion and emotion. Please do more. ~Don

**jennaboo88** · #9 08-04-2011, 04:07 PM

Ron, you asked if we liked this style or not. Like? Well...like probably doesn't fully capture what I'm feeling. In all truth, I think this is just an outstanding painting that is pretty much exploding with action and color! I love this painting!

I typically like the "realistic" art. I love the careful details, good light and shadow, a nice sense of depth and darks, etc. I usually try for it in my own work, and usually seek it out in galleries and shows, because it's just what speaks to me. But then, sometimes, once in a long while, something bright, colorful and somewhat more abstract will reach out and absolutely demand all of my attention. It will steal the show with its exciting display.

...That's what you have here. This painting is one of those that steals the show. It's got to be my favorite painting you've done, Ron. Take a bow! Way to go! I hope you'll keep exploring this style, as well. You're on to something.

**rugman** · #10 08-04-2011, 05:09 PM

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I am excited and cant wait to get on with the next painting... perhaps a landscape.. see how that goes.

I really enjoy "realistic" drawings and paintings. Graphite and charcoal are still some of my favorites. I think part of the joy of paintiing for me is trying new things, pushing myself, being unique.

Case- I gridded my support to get drawing proportions correct. Used posterize in photoshop as a beginning guide to shapes. Basically made up background. Urban Cowboy painting I used 2 ref photos and just made that up, no grid or image manipulation

Lisa- thanks for the kitty smiley! Thats a low maintenence pet!

Jim- thanks so much for the feedback, seriously. I see what your saying. I put in the tall corral gate posts in the back thinking that it might aid in creating a sense of depth into the painting. I was worried the painting would be too flat without something in the middle ground. With that being said, I dont know if it adds anything (like you were saying). You are always welcome to photoshop my paintings to help show what your saying.

I will fix bottom, and perhaps tone down sky area some, maybe take out tall corral gate post/supports

Thanks again everyone, you are all very kind. Even got a smilie from Jim56!

**rugman** · #11 08-10-2011, 10:26 PM

I reworked the background and fence on this. Thanks to everyone here and over in pastel forum for the suggestions.

This is the final, I will work no more on this. But I wanted to share it with you all.

**jennaboo88** · #12 08-11-2011, 01:11 PM

Great changes, Ron. I hope you'll keep toying with this style...you're really onto something!

Hoofnpaw · #13 08-11-2011, 06:34 PM

Love your style on this!

Sean

Jo Castillo · #14 08-14-2011, 09:40 AM

This one is fun. I love your choices in color. Beautiful gesture and forms.

RobTalbert · #15 08-14-2011, 01:34 PM

I really like the composition. While I see advantages with the changes you made, I thought the first version with the warm background was more impactful and caught my attention. Both are nice. Reducing all the midtones to discrete hard-edged shapes reminds me of the Utah watercolorist Don Weller.

Is this from a photo you took? Getting the right photo to work with is half the challenge with this kind of subject.

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