process

Just completed these two paintings for a local art show. The inspiration came from those kitsch prints and postcards popular in the 1960′s and 1970′s. They often feature cutesy girls and boys with huge eyes. In fact this type of painting is now know as Big Eyed Art and original prints sell for a premium on Ebay.
You can check out some of the reference I used here. Both paintings are acrylic on canvas and measure 8″ X 16″.

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Now in it’s 2nd year California Screamin’ Down Under II at the Kustom Lane Gallery is a wonderful opportunity for Aussie artists to show off their stuff. The top three artworks are shipped off to rub shoulders with the best at the Screamin’ 6 Exhibition at Gasoline Gallery in California.

For my entry I wanted to try something different and inject a bit of story. Not sure where the inspiration came from but I have always loved the moody images from Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” video. So I went for Daddy’s poor little rich girl taking a pit stop at her favorite gas station on the edge of town.

Below you can see how it progressed from thumbnails to colour sketch to canvas to gallery wall. If you are in the area don’t forget to check out the exhibition at Kustom Lane. Its runs until 17th April 2011.

Here’s the finished painting.
“The Pick Up” Acrylic on canvas. W400mm X H300mm. March 2011.

Drawing transferred on canvas with a rough wash of Burnt Umber (Above).

My first digital colour sketch (Above).

My first thumbnails and rough sketches. All these were drawn with pencil and fine liner then I played around with the composition in Photoshop.

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The Lady in White
Acrylic on canvas 16″ x 12″ (40cm x 30.5cm).

This piece was completed for the big end of year art sale at Kustom Lane gallery in Hawthorn. The show runs form 28th November – 19th December and is a great chance to pick up some cool art before Christmas. There’s no opening night event but a bbq at the gallery on the 19th December.
Check out all the details here http://www.kustomlane.com/

My main inspiration came from pulp paperback covers from the 1960′s (particularly artists like Robert Bonfils). Many of those covers not only had provocative imagery and titles but were painted in a rough dry brush that gave the artwork real energy.

In regards to the lady’s appearance I was inspired by two animated movie characters. Ginormica from Monsters vs Aliens and Mirage from The Incredibles. Both have white hair that contrasted strikingly against their skin and i wanted a similar effect here.

In my first sketch i had her holding a wine glass but a gun seems more appropriate and in keeping with the pulp theme. It also creates a greater sense of intrigue. As you can see in my development sketches below i had a lot of trouble with her face. Eventually went for cute younger look rather than a sultry appearance.

Art nerd stuff
For the texture I used heavy modeling paste over the pre primed canvas. This was spread with a palette knife and then created the texture with various toothbrushes and combs.

After the drawing was transferred with carbon paper I began painting with Golden Acrylics. The darks in the curtain is a mix of Burnt Umber and Ultramarine Blue. The gray/green shadows in the dress is a mix of white, a tiny bit of Thalo Blue and a touch of Burnt Umber.

Heres the completed painting with a first coat of acrylic sealer. Gave it three coats sealer and two coats removable varnish.

Development sketches (Below)
Sketches were drawn at A3 size. Revised parts were redrawn on tracing paper. Eventually it was scanned into Photoshop where sizes were adjusted. It was printed out and then transferred by carbon paper to the canvas.

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