Jeff the Handyman (and inspiring model)
When Jeff the Handyman (who does excellent carpentry and electrical work) came over to look at a job, he was kind enough to let me take his photo for the series I’m painting of people at work in my neighborhood. I tried three times, before and after I started studying head structure and anatomy. With the third study (above) I felt like I’d said what I had to say, with the skills I have at this point, and was ready to move on.
Above is the final study and immediately below are all three attempts in chronological order.
- JR #1 Final, oil on panel, 12×9 inches, 2015
- JR #2 Final, Oil on DuraLar, 12×9 inches, 2015
- JR Handyman #3 Final, oil on DuraLar, 12×9 inches, 2016
My favorite part of all three above is the sky reflecting on the top of his head. With each attempt my drawing improved a bit. The more I learn, the more I see, and the more I see, the more I know I need to learn!!!. Below are all three studies with work in progress (WIP) steps. I’m not offering the WIP to show how it “should” be done; just the approach I was experimenting with. I am always trying on techniques of other artists I admire but haven’t yet found the approach that “just works” for me.
- JR #1-C, oil on panel, 12×9 inches
- JR #1-B, oil on panel, 12×9 inches
- JR #1 Final, oil on panel, 12×9 inches, 2015
- JR #2-A, Oil on DuraLar, 12×9 inches. I always like this sketchy stage the best.
- JR #2-B, Reference photo and painting start
- JR #2 Final, Oil on DuraLar, 12×9 inches, 2015
- JR #3-A, Portrait start with reference photo
- JR #3-A Portrait Start, Oil on DuraLar, 12×9 inches
- JR #3-B WIP, Oil on DuraLar, 12×9 inches
- JR #4-C WIP. Realized nose was too long.
- JR #3-D WIP, Shortened nose, started glasses
- JR #3-E WIP. Beard got too wide.
- JR #3-F WIP. Narrowed beard & hair, redid shirt
- JR #3-F WIP with my Parallel Palette, which I like a lot.
- JR Handyman #3 Final, oil on DuraLar, 12×9 inches, 2016