“Sing Praise” – David Project Completed

Sing Praise
20x24 oil on stretched canvas
Available

I must’ve taken a gazillion photos to get one that was not out of focus and this is the best I could come up with. I had intended to do this canvas-wrapped, but then decided to go this route because I was going to hang it at our upcoming art festival, and I think a frame really enhances a painting.

As those of you who have followed this process are aware; this is the shepherd boy David singing praises to his God, which is in keeping with the theme of the festival – “Praise Him.”

Now I’m onto to something else…something less intense.

Mahalo to all of you for your encouragement and helpful suggestions.



> There are 3 ways you can make a real difference to this blog.
1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
3. Email your ideas and/or suggestions on what you would like to read/see more of to lokeforrest@comcast.net

New David Update

This is my latest. Major changes, as you can see. The mountains just seemed to overwhelm David and I just felt that had to be changed. I did not want to detract from David. I did finally give him sandals. Still not ready to sign, need to live with it this way for a while.

Mahalo for following this project. Will be back soon with the finish.

> There are 3 ways you can make a real difference to this blog.
1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
3. Email your ideas and/or suggestions on what you would like to read/see more of to lokeforrest@comcast.net

Update to the David Project

This past week has been quite hectic, so I have not been able to put as much time into this project as I would've liked. What little I have done, I will post here. Hopefully the upcoming week will be more productive.



I have worked on bringing the intensity of the mid-range mountains down and glazing down the far mountain to put them more in the distance. I have problems with edges, so will focus on which edges should be soft and which should be hard. I put more detail into the grassy knoll, which still needs work, and some detailing on the lambs. Worked some on the cast shadows, but don’t know if I’ve rendered those realistically enough. I have reference pictures to work from, but none show me how the cast shadows should be rendered. Of interest is the indentation in the hillside of the grassy area…that was accidental, but I think I’ll keep that in…of course rework it some. This week I do want to start laying in the color on David.

Hmmm…it’s been a while since I posted about Hawaii’s past and legends. Will try to think of something interesting for next time.

Also, I want to say how much I appreciate the comments made by those of you who visit here.

> There are 3 ways you can make a real difference to this blog.
1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
3. Email your ideas and/or suggestions on what you would like to read/see more of to lokeforrest@comcast.net

Progress on David

Thought I would post the progress I’ve made on my David painting. Nearly done with the underpainting. Today I am planning to lay in another layer on the grassy knoll and refine the figure.



I corrected the length of his legs because anatomically they were too short for the figure. I don’t know how I missed that. Fortunately, a Wetcanvas artist noticed and brought it to my attention. David looks more anatomically correct now. Making his legs longer and adding the two lambs in the foreground took care of the “too much negative space” problem that I felt I had. Oh yes, gotta put his sandals on…LOL! Anyway, this is where I am now.

On a different note, over the past couple of days Middle Tennessee has had the most snowfall that I can remember since the first year I moved here. Here are a couple of pictures of this beautiful winter wonderland. I believe the total snowfall in our area is 4". Lovely, but I've had enough cold and winter this year. Anxious for spring to arrive.





























Thank you so much for coming by.

> There are 3 ways you can make a real difference to this blog.
1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
3. Email your ideas and/or suggestions on what you would like to read/see more of at lokeforrest@comcast.net

My New Project

I have started a new project and am into it about 12 hours. It is going to be my submission to our church’s First Annual Art Festival, which is scheduled for April. The theme of the festival is “Praise Him.” Just in case you don’t recognize the depiction, this is the shepherd boy David. He is praising God in song. A couple of weeks ago I was at a stagnant place in my art. Not doing much of anything except sketching periodically, but with no desire to paint. I have been doing sketches of the ideas that came to mind for this piece and now that I’ve decided and started on my submission, I am excited. It is oil on 20x24 stretched canvas. I will show my progress beginning with the two I’ve posted below…



I first sketched directly onto the canvas using hard vine charcoal, and then sprayed with Fixatif to keep the charcoal from smearing and thereby losing my line work. The sketching took me about eight hours. I had my 18-year old grandson pose for me so that I could get the position of David anatomically correct. In using him for this purpose, I decided to use his facial features for David. My conception of David was to be a young David so I would imagine that David at that same age would probably have had the same physical structure as my grandson. I also thought that David’s hair and his complexion would most probably be very much like my grandson. He doesn’t know yet that I am using more than his pose for this painting.



This is where I am now. The background has been roughed in. I think the mid range of mountains is too intense in color, so I will be glazing over that section to bring the intensity of the color down some. I will next work on the underpainting of the figure. Thank goodness for the internet...I've been able to research and download images that I've used as reference instead of guessing at what it may have been like at that time.

As far as a title goes; I am usually inspired for a title while I am doing the piece. In this case, the title that keeps coming to mind is "Sing Praise." That comes from a worship song that we do in church. If anyone has a better title, I would love to hear it.

Thanks so much for visiting.

> There are 3 ways you can make a real difference to this blog.
1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
3. Email your ideas and/or suggestions on what you would like to read/see more of to lokeforrest@comcast.net

I'm Stuck

Yes, I am at a stuck place. I have not put brush to canvas in almost two weeks. I have; however, sketched some, but cannot seem to muster the desire to paint. For Christmas I received a gift certificate for an art store from my grandson. I was excited about that and almost immediately redeemed it for new brushes and several canvases – but those packages are still unopened.

Back in November 2009, I contacted our church’s Minister of Music whose ministry also includes the arts of Drama and Visual Arts. I presented him with the idea of a visual arts art festival…a way to give local artists, professionals as well as amateurs and students, a chance to showcase their talent. The theme “Praise Him” was selected around which all artists would create a piece or pieces of work. Anyway, he went for the idea and the art show is coming up in April.

I plan to enter a couple of pieces. One idea that came to mind is the shepherd boy David, on his harp, praising and glorifying God with his songs. I came up with three different versions of that idea, but am not totally happy with any of them. Here’s what I have….



I am at a loss. Maybe what I need to do is start with a new idea. What to do, what to do. I’ll take any ideas you may have.






Thanks for listening…now maybe I’ll go stand in front of the blank canvas I have sitting on the easel and see if I get an inspiration.

Until next time...take care!


> There are 3 ways you can make a real difference to this blog.
1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
3. Email your ideas and/or suggestions on what you would like to read/see more of at lokeforrest@comcast.net