Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Jigsaw - 1

Here you can see me applying the very first few dots to what will become a large intensely colourful work. But the very beginning establishes the tone of the rest of the picture.So with regard to faces, I like to work on the eyes first...once they are right, the rest will follow....if it's to go wrong, it may as well be now rather than in a couple of weeks. The first thing to do is to lay down a few base colours..I do not use black when working in colour...the pupil here is dark blue overlaid with medium blue. the flesh tones are made up with a base layer of scarlet overlaid by yellow ochre, blue and green...and anything else that seems appropriate at the time. this photo gives a good illustration as to the size of the actual dots. I use the Rotring Isograph Pen with 0.25mm nibs...this is the only gauge I use.



Here a layer or Scarlett has been applied around the eyes, and yellow ochre is being applied next...it's a matter of applying more layers of each colour strengthening the tone and establishing the areas which are darker .
Here I've worked for a few hours, the warmth of the image is coming through now...and yes, it is me yet again, so those of you of a nervous disposition who don't want to look at me for the next month or two...please look away now!
I have so many symbolic references to come in this work and I'm positive it will become my most accomplished work to date. As the days go by, you will see the image spread across the page...remember, you were here at the beginning!



5 comments:

VJ said...

I love the way you do it...It seems interesting...planning to get my nine year old see this as you progresses....will keep posting her comments too....

Shachi said...

WOW - those eyes already evoke a mood in me....the last image is sooper!

This one is going to be an interesting journey - for you as well as us :)

Devil Mood said...

I like the title. Let's see what comes out!

Bobkat said...

I love seeing how you build up the layers to make shades and textures. Looking forward to seeing more of this work and how it progresses.

Jonice said...

It feels good to be here at the beginning, Niall. And the work title sounds so very interesting especially after having read your post on Nebula. By the way, cloud is nuvem in Portuguese, and cloudy days are dias nublados. We are in the very middle of one right now. Looking forward to following this work progress, dear.