Gerhard Richter

My art teacher recently introduced me to this new artist. His name is Gerhard Richter, and he paints over photographs just like I want to! He doesn't paint details, he rolls paint on with a roller. Here are some pictures:

I think this is my favorite, I love the woods!

Although it isn't exactly what I want to do, it's still really cool and I can appreciate it. I especially love the first picture of the woods (I'm a big fan of nature). I hope you guys like this artist! I finally finished the right side of the mountain painting... now on to the left! I'll keep you updated.

Thinking About Project #2

As I'm nearing the end of my first project, I have been thinking about what I would like to do next. I really love details, and, despite my groaning, I have really enjoyed painting this mountain. So, I was thinking that for my next piece I would start painting over my photographs! Alexa Meade is an artist that paints people to look like paintings (examples below). I know it's not exactly what I want to do, but I figured it was pretty similar, plus I was too lazy to keep looking for I couldn't find someone that paints over their photographs. I think painting over photography would be fun because it would draw attention to the details (have I mentioned that I like details???)

Meade painting over a male helper

Now brace yourselves... I'm about to post a ton of pictures! These are some examples of my photography that I would like to work with. Have any favorites?

up to date...

So, I scrolled through my blog and realized how many trees I had done since I last posted. You should definitely be able to tell a difference! I am SO CLOSE to finishing the right side of the mountain! After so long, you can imagine that I am thrilled to be one step closer (we'll just ignore the fact that I still have to do the left side...) I added a really far-away picture so that you guys could see how the details all work really well together when you are standing at a distance.

here is a full view! see the new trees?

here is a far-away view (featuring Sophie and Beck)

My Progress (kind of)

I was going to take some more pictures and show you guys my progress on my painting, but you probably wouldn't be able to tell a difference. I've added trees, but those little buggers take forever to paint. My problem is that the green is so much lighter (compared to the trees in the background) that it isn't as opaque anymore. Now, I have to dip my paintbrush after every. Single. Tree. Ugh. This results in fewer trees per minute and a serious case of carpal tunnel. 

So, instead of pictures of my artwork, here's some pictures from an amazing artist that I discovered over the summer. His name is Marcel Witte, and he paints animals using realism. I can appreciate that Witte makes his paintings so realistic, and I can also relate to his method. He paints using short, precise lines that come together to create a realistic whole picture. My artwork looks more realistic from far back, and when you approach it you can see the details. Similarly, Witte has hidden details in his work that can only be seen if you are standing very close to his work.

Marcel Witte's work Gracious

a detail of Gracious, note the cross in the lion's eye... hidden if you were far away

Just A Quick Update

I have always been a lover of nature, but more recently I've become more and more in love with mountains. I'm somewhat obsessed, really.

I see pictures like this and my heart just bursts

So, last year, when my art teacher told me to work with something that I thought was beautiful, it was no surprise that my mind jumped to mountains. I am not very good at making have never really liked abstract paintings, so I chose to make the picture as realistic as I could. 

 I scrolled past this picture on Instagram one day and knew I had to paint it

This painting is taking a lot longer than I expected. I started it towards the end of last year and I am just now nearing the end! I am using Blick paint and a tiny brush to create as much detail as possible. I started this painting before I started this blog so I don't have pictures of the process, but you'll just have to settle for the "after" pictures!

my work so far

a detail of the trees and water

a detail of the snow

I hope you guys like it so far, and I'll keep you updated!

Welcome to my blog!

This year, I will use this blog to let you guys know how my art is changing. I'll show you artists that are influencing me, as well as my own artwork, to compare how my artwork is being affected as I investigate different artists. I am very process oriented, and I want you guys to be able to understand how I create my artwork. I can't wait to see how my work changes and progresses over the year!