The gold really doesn't show its majesty with this scan. Of course, that also hides the unevenness. I think I've read that many thin coats is the preferred method of application. Also placed a very light gold wash over the eye for a nice sparkle. I may be reproducing this image later to shape up coloring and detail but, for now, this one's a keeper and nearly ready for framing.
WOW! I wasn't expecting this, especially with your having been so focused on the subject of color mixing of late! Your earth colors are extremely effective and well chosen for this piece and I'll bet the gold gouache must look especially beautiful in real life.
ReplyDeletewell done!
~gretchen
You know Gretchen, I just felt like I was getting so caught up in details. When the cat idea appeared, I simply ran with it and in less than three hours it was done. I needed to get to "a done piece". Something whole.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to doctor it up a bit this evening and frame it up. Tomorrow it'll be up on my office wall.
Thanks for the kind words. The Rublev paints each have a distinct personality--enough for a post or two on their qualities. I now have two gold gouache brands in my collection and once I have more will get into a comparison study. So much fun, so little time... :-)
Hurrah! Absolutely love the sweeping, confident curves of the chin, mouth, muzzle and the shading on the chiselled nose.
ReplyDeleteScans disappoint for gold. Burnished flat gold leaf is even worse: it comes out black, or freezes the scanner. But the texture of that gold gouache has come out nicely, and it's distinctly different from the ochreous face in texture and range of colour.
He is a lovely cat. Looks like good company!
I like this cat. He's up on my office wall and attracting attention.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning well from this painting.
Line quality is so important. I recognize the need to pay dear attention to my Micron. Vary line width, especially watching my ending points. Try to pull a line smoothly without stopping, meaning to work from the arm and shoulder.
Gouache experimentation is needed to obtain a smooth finishing.
It's all fun and fascinating.