Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Flowers running off the edge-updated

Finally an oil painting. I felt like getting back to my roots with a black and white painting which is a very useful exercise to work on brush strokes, values, technique, composition, etc. All those elements that need to be worked on but get lost when you throw in the 300 pound gorilla called color.
I'm not sure I am completely happy with it. Let me know what you think of the composition I think the flowered branches running off the edge are kind of intriguing. Also, once it is shrunk down as a digital image it looks more photographic then I hope the painting does. Hopefully the brushwork makes it more of a painting though I should push it enough to show in this format.

10 comments:

Mary Bullock said...

HI Dave:
I like the composition. Good use of negative space. Usually having a figure facing the edge of the canvas and placing it close to the edge also - is a daring thing to do - but you have done a wonderful job.
Mary
The Figurative Realm of Mary Bullock

SEILER said...

Hey David, I think the painting is really nice. I think it has just the right amount of brush work in it to still read as a painting . . . could you loosen up a bit and show more brush work . . . ? Of course, but it's really to your taste and the taste of the viewer isn't it? Personally I think you have a look and style that reads "David Malan" right away. You have just the right amount of brush work, a very nice smooth and clean look to your work. And I think the composition is terrific, the flower branches pull it all together and create a story. Really nice piece!

anima-base said...

Oh, very lovely girl.
I love this moods.

TSL said...

Hi, David. I do like the vantage point of the viewer, takes me back to my childhood when my friends and I would sit around on the warm sidewalk. I am unfortunately unable to view any brushstrokes via my old computer monitor, wish I could but it just doesn't want to go there, but as always I adore your work. I love how her hair falls, it is just as it should be. Great job.

Aaron Wilkin said...

Great job man, really impressive stuff.

Anonymous said...

got link to your website from another artist. love the atelier drawings, wish i could do it! r.

Anonymous said...

This is a painting I would like to see. I'll drop a catalog in the mail to you on Monday. I am pleased with how it turned out.

kencoogan said...

David, as a non-painter, I wouldn't be qualified to give an opinion on technique but I think it's beautiful and would be hard pressed to find anything wrong with it.
Your work as always is truly inspirational!!

jennifer woodburn said...

I really like the compositon, including the branches on the right. There is a real feeling of space behind the girl, like we are a bug on the ground looking up at her. Beautiful!

dominique eichi said...

THis piece is so lovely there is also wonder in here. I love the branches. Your imagination is capture in this piece to travel to many places. BRAVO