Final Touches on Figurative Painting: Video Demo

Twelfth Video Demo of Figurative Oil Painting

Eleventh Video Demonstration of Figurative Oil Painting

Tenth Video Demonstration of Figurative Painting

Ninth Video Demonstration of Figurative Oil Painting

Eighth Video Demo of Figurative Painting

Seventh Video Demo of Figurative Oil Painting

Sixth Demo Video of Figurative Oil Abstraction

Fifth Video Demo of Figurative Painting Process

Fourth Demo Video of Figurative Oil Abstraction

Third Demonstration of Painting Process

Second Demo Video of Figurative Oil Abstraction

First Demo Video of Figurative Oil Abstraction

Figurative Abstractions: Seventh In A Series

This figurative abstraction is titled: "Far Vision". It is part of my ongoing exploration of the lone figure in the landscape, as well as an ongoing investigation into consciousness and spirituality. I am interested in how our consciousness grapples with the existential issues of being human: awareness of death, the fragility of life, choices, responsibility, will, the creation of meaning, and the feeling of aliveness.

This oil figurative abstraction is 24" x 24" on canvas. You may also see this painting as well as others at http://nancyleighhillis.com

Figurative Abstractions: Sixth In A Series

This painting is titled: "Remembering". This figure is deep in thought, looking off into the distance. Here again is the solo figure, alone with her thoughts, grappling with the exigencies of life.
The canvas is 24" x 24" x 1 1/2". The paint application is a combination of thin, transparent darks with impasto lights. I used # 8, 10 and 12 filbert brushes and several painting knives to apply the paint. I call this series of paintings "Figurative Abstractions".

Figurative Oil: Fifth In A Series

This figure is waiting. When I think of the solo figure waiting, I think of the existential play: "Waiting For Godot". Those are the words that come to mind. What is she waiting for? What are any of us waiting for?

Abstract Figurative Oil Painting: Fourth In A Series

This figure is stepping into the world with intention and clear vision. I was drawn to the movement implied by the right leg. In this abstract figurative painting, I am using lots of indian yellow, cadmium yellow medium, transparent red oxide, burnt sienna, and titanium white. There is a lot of impasto paint application.

Abstract Figurative Oil Painting: Third In A Series

The solo figure is compelling to me. In this series, I'm painting the figure alone, yet connected to and a part of the landscape. I'm thinking about the existential issues we live with: creating meaning, free will/choice, responsibility, the fragility of life, and the fleetingness of time. I'm moving toward a more abstract figurative way of painting. One could call these "existential paintings".

Abstract Figurative Oil Painting: Second In A Series

This is the second in the series of abstract figurative oil paintings that began with the idea of existential aloneness. I found myself painting with the warm, earthy colors: Indian yellow, yellow ochre, terra rosa, venetian red, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow medium, cadmium red medium, transparent red oxide. The dark darks are a mixture of alizarin crimson and viridian. I used a palette knife and size 8, 10, and 12 filbert hog bristle brushes. I painted with very thick, impasto brush and knife work. The darks in the figure are thinner and more transparent.

Working in Oils

I've been working in oils recently. I got on a roll and painted five oils in three days. It was interesting how one painting led to another. I was thinking about the existential issue of aloneness; about how we are born alone and ultimately, die alone. There are people whom we love who are there, but we still have to go through this mystery ourselves. This is what was in my mind when I started painting.

Surprise!

This collage practically created itself and showed me that it wanted to be vertical, because there was another figure in the picture! This is what happens often in creating art.

Conceptual Change

There was a surprise in the process of working out the dark/light pattern in the composition. Suddenly, a smaller figure appeared above the reclining figure and I realized that the collage wanted to be vertical! In the next blog, I'll show you the picture vertically.

Next Stage of New Work

Here's a picture of the collage, as it develops:
You can see I've added the black, threading it through the composition.

New Work

As I paint or create collage, the work emerges and has its own ideas. For example, in this recent collage, the nascent, undeveloped idea was the image of a reclining figure.

This is the beginning, rough idea. We'll see how the collage emerges.

Working on Collage

This is one of my latest collage works (in progress). The background paper in the upper part has not been adhered to the canvas with acrylic matte medium yet.
I'm very interested in the figure. In particular, abstract figurative work. I lay down the shapes that feel "right".
The dark/light pattern is important. In this body of work, I always have black threaded through the composition.