John Asaro

This is my first post about artists that inspire me most and I want to dedicate it to John Asaro. When I came across his recent paintings of female figures I instantly fell in love with them. After 50 year depression John Asaro decided to paint what he always wanted to: female figure. His work is stunning and I believe this happens when you follow your heart.

The artist's website

Back to basics

I've decided to put on hold oil painting for some time and go back to basics from academic point of view. I never attended any art school and whenever I paint or draw I always feel "shaky ground" under my feet because of that. May be lack of formal training is not an issue with any other artist, but it's definitely a problem for me. So it is time to go back and build a solid foundation in a traditional way - learn how to draw first and then paint.

There tons of books on drawing available today. Thanks to the Internet you can learn from other people what worked best for them and why.
This is my list of selected books to start with:

- John Asaro: Planes of the Head
- Andrew Loomis: Drawing the Head and Hands
- Andrew Loomis: Figure Drawing for All It's Worth

Note: you can download these books in PDF files for free or any donated amount here

Some old stuff

...from the book by Andrew Loomis.

"Bell peppers" (6"x6")

"Letter A" (6"x6")

"Honey Tangerines" (6"x6")

"Vine tomatoes" (6" x 6")

" Three apples" ( 6" x 6")

I did this value study before painting in color. I tend to rush and skip this important step. I read that in art schools students are not allowed to paint in color for a year or two until they master values first.

" 2+1" (6" x 6")

SOLD

" First Knight" (6" x 6")

Red Hat (5" x 7")

This painting was done from a photograph provided on the blog Different Strokes From Different Folks, where artists are encouraged to paint or draw their own interpretations. I like the red hat a sitter is wearing on this photo. It became my focus on this painting.

Nusya (6" x 6") - NFS

This is my Nusya. My only pet. Adopting her almost 9 years ago I did not know that my poor parental skills will one day produce such a result. She can be stubborn, selfish, but also very compassionate and caring at the same time.

P.S. Read more about Nusya on her own blog Writing Claws

"Hope" ( 6" x 6" )

White is my favorite color. Needless to say that I love horses. Who doesn't? If I am fortunate enough to have a white horse one day, I would call it "Hope".

Beads ( 6" x 6")

"About a Horse" (6" x 6")

SOLD

Big "Pom" (6"x6")

Lately, I've been inspired by the art of Carol Marine. I love her style and the way she personifies the objects of her still life paintings.

"Letting it through" (6"x6")

SOLD

Aubergine Couple (6" x 6", oil)

SOLD

Aubergine Solo (6" x 6")

SOLD

Roses (6" x 6", oil)

SOLD

Studying masters

This is a copy of Reg (Paul Hedley). I used white chalk in this drawing for the first time. Inspiration came from a book "Portrait Drawing Techniques" by Dianne Flynn.



This is a copy of Head of a Young Girl (Jean Millet). I liked the way Millet expressed mood and feeling by the way he has lit his subject.

My sister's show

These are shots of my sister's show at Kohl Gallery of Arts (Avenue Rd/Eglinton West). You can see a lot more here

Sketches of my cat

5 values sketch

Charlie (pencil sketch)

5 values sketch

Back to basics until I nail it: five values (for now).

An apple is an apple is an apple.... (6" x 6")

SOLD
SOLD

Red Slippers

Nusya loved those slippers, I had to buy another pair for myself.

Still life ( 6" x 6" )

Odin

this is a little trouble-maker and irresistible cutie, Odin.

Shoes (5 x 5, oil)

Warm ups

from A.Crawshow "Oil Painting Course"

Watercolor sketches

It's summer time! no time for oils :-)
just quick watercolor sketches.

Born to a poetess mother (mixed media)

My first three-dimensional work made of wire (click on the image for larger view).

The rocks in the nest are wrapped in "poetry" - a poem by E.E.Cummings " I carry your heart with me". The poem can be found in my other blog http://onesreading.blogspot.com/

Portrait Week 2 (14" x 17", charcoal)