Monday, November 23, 2009

Work in Progress, Another Silverpoint/Metalpoint

I've started a new metalpoint drawing in a larger format, 8 1/4" x 10 1/2". It's from the same landscape of the tafoni rock formations that I've recently finished as a miniature in acrylic, seen here and as a miniature silverpoint, here. It's slow going, but I wanted to share what I've done so far. It's hard to photograph metalpoint, but I think you can see it well enough to get an idea of the work. I'm calling it metalpoint because I've used both copperpoint and silverpoint to create it. I've not used them together in the same work before. I find the copperpoint to give a softer look, it's supposed age to a greenish color. With the silverpoint, I am able to get darker values.

This is a shot of the whole piece so far. I think you can recognize it from the painting I just finished, except this is a wider format.

Here is a close up of the trees. This is slow going and I'm having to invent some of the things as I go. There is not a lot of information in the photos I'm using. I guess I should have done some sketches first since I can't erase the metalpoint, but I didn't! Most of this was familiar since I just painted it, however, not all, especially this section under the trees of the rocks and cliff. That area and to the right is where I'm working now.

This is a close image of the tafoni rocks in progress. The image as it appears on my screen is a sepia color, but is in reality, actually a warm white. Now time to get back in the studio and to work! As always, thanks for taking the time to look!

The reason I've been absent here is it's been a rough week and a half. First I had an outbreak of hives that lasted over a week. I have no idea what the trigger was. I've never had hives like that and wasn't even sure what they were at first. They weren't the itchy kind, just the burning, stinging kind, but they spread and were very uncomfortable. I didn't want to be seen! Then I had some family issues to deal with. I don't think the hives are caused by stress, but I can tell you they definitely get worse with stress! Then, if that wasn't enough, our hot water heater died and dumped water in our garage where we have boxes of books and I had some portfolios of old art work. I was able to dry out what was worth saving and consolidate everything. It was dirty, hard work that we hadn't counted on having to do!! Now the garage is all back together, along with a new hot water heater! Thanks goodness we were able to contact our landlord in time. He was leaving the country the next day for vacation! Luckily his son is a plumber and we had our hot water by 9:30 that night! Oh, that hot shower felt so good! So now I think things are as resoved as they can be. My hives are gone and we have a cleaner garage and hot water! Still worried about family things, but we do what we can and take one step at a time. Sorry, I needed a rant so, thanks for listening!

9 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

Hi Barbara. I love seeing your in progress pieces so much. I love the part with the small bluff of trees very much. Looks like it could be right here along the IL river somewhere. You just have an amazing talent that simply awes me. I am so sorry to hear of the past couple of weeks. They do sound stressful indeed! The good news is that you have a landlord that had to repair the hot water tank at least. No outflow of money is the silver lining. I hope that you didn't lose anything artwise that you truly treasured. Of course, with your talents, it rather saddens me to know you lost anything. Hoping this Thanksgiving week gives you pause to let go of the worries, at least for a couple of days, and revel in the warmth of family and friends.

Unknown said...

Hi Barbara the new piece looks very interesting! Fun to watch the progress---hope all things work out for you and see you Dec 4 at Everett Art supply :)

Barbara A. Freeman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Barbara A. Freeman said...

(This comment has been moved from the post, "The Spirit of Giving Show Changes".)

Blogger Friend, Dors said...

WOW silverpoint. I have been thinking about learning this art..I don't know anything about it really but I am going to watch with interest this lovely piece.... It looks so interesting.
Thank you so much for sharing.

Dors.

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Thanks, Autumn, Janie, and Doris. I'm sorry the photos aren't very clear. I'll try to get better ones next time. I worked on it some more last night, but I'm not sure if there is much new to show. Thanks for looking!

You are too kind, Autumn, and yes, I keep reminding myself to look for the silver linings.

Doris, silverpoint is just like picking up a pencil. On the right side of my blog there is a great link for silverpoint, under "Favorite Artists' Sites, Suppliers and Blogs". I think I'll photo what my pens look like in my next post.

Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends and Have a great weekend, Doris.

See you on Dec. 4th Janie at the Spirit of Giving Reception!

Unknown said...

You poor thing Barbara - hopefully that is your bad stretch over and you are in for a wonderful couple of weeks leading into the holiday season. I am fascinated by your metal point and as soon as the craziness of pre Christmas orders settles, I'm going to spend some leisurely moments studying that link you have given to Dors.

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Thanks Karen! Your graphite style of drawing would translate really well in silverpoint!

I hope you are getting some cooler weather now!

Debra Keirce said...

Just stunning!

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Thanks for looking Deb!