Thursday 2 May 2013

MEET THE FAMILY - Tutorial Tryouts with Kristin


THE FAMILY

No, not MY family, these are not blood relatives.  Though in a sense they are my family because I created and named them, and in spite of everything I've become a little fond of them, even if they are all big drips.  Dev said they were quite good, but in a revolting sort of way!

This week's tutorial on Kristin's Tutorial Tryouts was about painting abstract portraits on a Youtube video.  Quite an experience, though I'm not sure the word 'abstract' applies, I'd say more 'weird' which suits me down to the ground.  I like weird.

 Acrylic paint on A3 watercolour paper

I followed the video for my first effort, and intended to keep as closely as possible to the style, but this fellow took on a life of his own.  This is Jasper.  He's the failure of the family, and he knows it (the rest of them are always telling him so).  That's why he doesn't look very happy.

                                                        Acrylic paint on A3 watercolour paper

I wondered how the technique would work with a profile view, and somehow it doesn't quite seem to work on a profile.  Anyway, I went my own way for the second attempt, and this is Everett.  Now Everett is a rather nasty piece of work, and I have to admit that he is mainly the one who has given Jasper an inferiority complex.  I don't trust him an inch (or even 25 millimetres).

                                                      Acrylic paint on A3 watercolour paper

Out on my own now, doing just whatever came.  This is Samilla.  She's the brains of the family, with a PhD in the Fluidity of Acrylic Paint Drips in Temperate Climates.  At the moment she's working in McDonalds but, like Mr Micawber, she's sure something will come up very soon.


I wondered about introducing a little more realism.  Well, as you can see, it just doesn't really work.  Nor does Archibald.  He doesn't have time to go out to work because his hair and beard are very high maintenance, so he's on the Government's new Universal Benefits.  Looking at that blue cape thing, I think he's at the barber's at the moment trying to ensure that he looks his mediocre best, and he's listening to his i-pod while the job is being done.  Never wastes a moment, that lad.

I think you can see that I enjoyed myself with this tutorial, even if it was a bit of a struggle.   And I learnt quite a bit, particularly how to get really good paint drips - something that I've never been very good at.  There is clearly plenty of mileage in this technique, and I intend to keep using it and incorporating it in things other than portraits.  Try it, I'm sure you'd have fun.

Nice one, Kristin, thanks.

19 comments:

  1. You are so funny, Jez! Archibald does have perfect hair. I can see why it is so time consuming. Poor Jasper, he's my favorite, but I like to route for the underdog. :)

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  2. we must be still in this triple dip recession if Samilla is forced to work in Macdonalds, She has so much more to give!! :) love your 'family' Jez, loads of fun.

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  3. OMG this was hilarious!! I loved it!! You made it such a joyful funny post!! Excellent characters....I have a few in my arsenal too!!
    Thanks for sharing these weirdos....love them!! Especially poor Jasper and Samilla!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  4. wonderful humour in your post and such great characters. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. What fun! Everett is awesome and don't we all know a Samila? Great colorful, creative post!

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  6. Wonderful zany characters and great post for PPF ^_^

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  7. Fabulous abstract faces Jez. It looks like you have had fun with this tutorial, love the colours and patterns

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  8. This did make me laugh Jez - I don't trust Everett either, he looks a bit of a dodgy sort to me. Poor Jasper. Love your family. Haven't done mine yet though have my table top easel iut with all good intentions (5 year old throwing up put paid though)

    I love painting with drips. Love them soooo much. So looking forward to this!

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  9. LOVE your family, what wonderful characters! Valerie

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  10. Very cool characters! HPPF!

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  11. getting good paint drips is tough... and I do love how you write... I can almost hear you chatting to us as you write it... lovely style... love that the names are always so perfect for the faces...xx

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  12. Oh I love how your ones came out. I struggled with this one, I think it is easy to take it too far, also I think I like control too much for all my love of drips! :)

    The post is hilarious as well. Everett...will have to watch out for him!

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  13. These are great, Jez! I always love the stories that accompany your paintings... This is definitely quite a cast of characters (Dev's reaction to them made me laugh out loud)!

    I really like the detailing you've added to to them... And I love the halo-type yellow around Samilla's head.

    I look forward to seeing how you incorporate drips in future pieces (I agree - lots of possibilities)!

    xo
    Kristin

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  14. Haha, love this post! And all of your weird characters! I saw the video on Kirstins blog and it really looks like fun trying it out...

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  15. So glad to meet the family. I enjoyed reading the description of each one. Love your work!

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  16. your 'family' seems to be taking on a bit of Picasso character...what fun! love the color and the fun exercise of it all...happy PPF!

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  17. Ohhhh I love "your family" members. Each one different but you know they belong to each other. Wonderful.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  18. I too think your "family" members are awesome. They are your creations so in fact are your family. Well done. Love the story behind these peoples. Thanks.

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  19. This made me laugh out loud, how wonderful not to take yourself or your art too seriously. I really like the faces you've produced as well and their stories are just brilliant.

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