Memory Blocks: 9-Rabbit and e-Bird
Each: 6″x6″ (15 x 15 cm) – oil on gessobord – commissions
These two are commissions. The client saw them and approved, so I can show them to you. The two paintings were commissioned together to work as a pair or a diptych.
It turns out painting a pair is a fairly special project. Right away during the drawing stage I realized that blocks have to match in size – not a problem, but not something that you need to consider when painting a single painting.
When I started painting it quickly became apparent that I have to treat them as one painting. When I worked on surface of the mirrored table on one painting and then tried to match the color a few days later for the second painting – it turned out to be very VERY hard! It is much easier to do the mirror and the background for both paintings at once using the same color mix. Same goes about painting the visible wood of the blocks. Also if I painted blocks’ faces for 9-Rabbit on a sunny morning and faces for e-Bird on a overcast day – the color harmony would not work and I had to make adjustments in my lighting.
It is a rare opportunity to work on a pair and I am forever grateful to J.D. for it.
Oh, see this really cool block with a skull on it?… I invented it. I don’t have a block with a skull. But J.D. collects skull images so I made up one for him.
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A gorgeous custom pair of paintings! I can imagine the difficulty of matching the two versions to each other – but you obviously made the right calls.
By now I’m sure it’s old hat for you, but I’m always impressed by your attention to the reflected areas. A reflection can be the most subtle effect, so I think many people don’t realize that the artist had to paint each object twice, and with much care so as to make it convincing.
Fabulous work again Alex!
Hi Karen, thank you for this comment – it’s nice to be understood! I suppose it does take a painter to realize these things, and I appreciate! On the other hand – what would we do without our viewers and spectators who enjoy our works without going too deeply into technicalities of them? Hugs and appreciation to both crowds!
I agree with Karen – this work is breathtaking. Recently I have been attempting realism, and my experiences have given me a real appreciation for your work. Not only is your attention to detail impressive, your compositions are spot on. Really, really beautiful work Alex. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you kindly, Sue! I am really happy you approve my compositions! I believe that with practice and tenacity any painter can gain enough technical skill to paint believable realism. For compositions one needs a feel, I think this is much harder.
Alex, your work just always blows me away! the detail and photorealism are just incredible. and the fact that you invented the skull block is testament to your artistic abilities!!
Thank you, Nicola!
Amazing work, Alex! I can almost reach in and grab one of the objects.
Good to see you visiting, Barb!
Remarkable. JD is a very lucky collector (and a wonderful artist!) Isn’t it wonderful that, no matter how much experience we have, we are always learning? I think that’s what keeps us fresh and life vibrant. Failure? Smailure! Who cares?