Sunday, August 14, 2011

Flirting with folds


"Bonjour!"
Original oil painting 24x18"
by Susan Roux

I spent the week away in a rental house with friends and family. It was a few yards from the beach and at low tide you could walk for miles in ankle high water. Conveniently, low tide occurred in the afternoon and a promenade through the crystal clear water was the perfect way to relax after painting all day long. I arrived back home yesterday and already miss those afternoon strolls and evening sunsets...

The household was bubbling with activity. Everyone going in different directions to view the area. I'd been there many times and decided in advance to set my easel inside and paint as if it were my studio. I didn't think I'd spend the entire week on only one painting, but I did. After coffee, people would scatter and my daily activity began. It was so nice to have nothing to do but paint. You could say I was on vacation, but I worked very hard.

I'm posting her a bit incomplete. As I look at her with fresh eyes, I can see a few areas that need touching up. Aren't there always..? My focus was the folds in the fabric. I wanted to capture volume and twists. The more I work on this subject, the more I realize I have a long way to go. Folds are a challenge all their own. My wish is to capture fullness and movement while still keeping everything really soft. For now, rigid keeps creeping in.

It's ok though.

I recently took my model on a photo shoot and I have lots of new material to work with. In time with hard work and long hours behind the easel, I'll probably capture what I set out to achieve. I know I'm pretty tough on myself, but the desire to improve continues to bubble through me. If painstakingly is what it takes, then painstakingly it will be!

Thanks for stopping by. I don't spend nearly enough time thanking all of you for your continued support including the time you take to leave comments. Whether nice, sweet, humorous or critical, I love reading them all. You make my day!

With humble gratitude, I thank you.


21 comments:

  1. wow - amazing! you can see the work even though it felt like play. I know this one well. Have picked up my brushes and paints again and am experimenting in the studio - it's great!

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  2. Je suis toujours en admiration devant votre savoir faire d'Artiste peintre, j'avoue que votre travail est incroyable, j'imagine comme vous le dite le temps passé devant votre chevalet à peindre et peindre encore, et le plaisir que vous y avez trouvé, tout est là mais aussi le don que vous avez et cela seule vous le possédez, chaque artiste a ce coup de pinceaux et le votre est plein de beauté qui émane de vos toiles: le travail de ces jeux de lumière que vous maîtrisez , bravo c'est magnifique!
    Vous avez profitez d'un séjour en bord de mer en travaillant votre peinture: c'est l'idéal!
    Bon week-end Susan.
    cath

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  3. It's really beautiful, Susan! Great pose...so feminine. There are beautiful soft colors in the fabric. So nice!

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  4. This has a relly nice glow. Very beautiful.

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  5. Susan, I see no rigidity whatsoever! As always, she is a beauty! Oh to have that figure!

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  6. What an inspiring painting...and those folds for Don. Thank you!

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  7. Beautiful painting as always! Sounds like you really enjoyed your time as well.

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  8. Love a nice white dress in the sunshine.... It makes so many beautiful colors.....

    Wonderful!

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  9. It's a lovely painting that the photo doesn't do justice to. Thanks for the invite!

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  10. Amazing painting, Susan!!! She's beautiful.

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  11. You time away sounds lovely and I think your painting is beautiful! You are way too critical of your talent but then that is why you are good!

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  12. warm, wonderful, ethereal and lovely!! beautiful job.

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  13. Sensualité, légèreté... Tu avances tout en délicatesse... tu travailles telle une ballerine de façon infatigable et jamais satisfaite...pour mieux nous séduire... "Ballerina..." aidant!
    gros bisous

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  14. What a lovely painting. Makes you feel so carefree with the warmth of the sun on your shoulders. Love the flowing beautiful white skirt.

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  15. Such lovely proportion and light struck shapes. Very beautiful Susan and thanks for stopping by mine :) as well

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  16. Oh Susan. I think these folds are just right.

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  17. it is looking stunnningly beautiful Susan. I am in awe of the progression in your work over the past several years that I have been following your blog. My hat off to you. And that photo of gratitude is really something.

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  18. i love all this white, the white of summer and romance

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