Stefano Pilati

Well, as you can see a couple posts down, I love Stefano Pilati. So, here is my tribute to him in paint form. (Well, Photoshop paint, at least :) I've also included several grabs showing the process of the pieces. I think painting processes are so interesting, and I love seeing the progression in other artist's work. I'm always amazed, actually, at how different the end product is in my paintings from my initial scratches... since my pieces are built so gradually, I don't ever notice how naive they look in the beginning. It's kind of like growing up... You are physically changing, but since you are with yourself at all moments, how could you possibly notice those changes?

A little info on my thoughts and processes: I started with a warm orange base because I wanted this piece to showcase his lovely tanned skin and the contrast of that against the clean, fresh colors in his shirt and background. This image should convey the same crisp modernity as his work for Yves St. Laurent.

50th Post Celebration!

Here are three fabulous red-heads to celebrate my 50th post with me! This is the second part of my fall fashion trend book. It will present a concise and distilled version of what I'm seeing in 2007's fall collections. (If you like the middle girl's lovely printed jersey dress, you'll have to check out Chloé who provided the inspiration)

While I'm here I'd also like to say that I've grown a WHOLE lot since I started this blog, and I can't believe that it's almost been a whole year. I was thinking about that today at work where I've figured out my calendar all the way up to December. Last year in December I did a portrait (almost) every day of a male figure... Maybe I'll do something like that again.?

Sneaky Peak

A piece of the next bit.

Fall Trends

Here are the first three designs from a personal project I'm doing. The whole unit is a gathering and distilling of fall 2007 trends in women's fashion. It's a lot of fun so far!

I love...

Stefano Pilati!
There is an article about him in the new NY Times fashion magazine and I just couldn't help but oggle everything from his sheer black socks to his gaudy pinky ring. He is style!
(photo from www.style.com)

Sector X

Here is the finished version of SECTOR X. Between yesterday and today I merely added some more fine details (and decided to nix the textures that I'd been overlaying and paint my own crackly finish--I like the way that turned out). It's a fun little illustration... continuing on my journey into distortion and emphatic color usage. I also _specifically_ set him in a place, vague as it is, because I think I often overlook location. I like how it becomes more symbolic than real.

Also of note, this is a portrait of a handsome gentleman that I found pictures of online on one of those myspace type friend networks. I used three photos from his album to collage this piece together, so thank you to "Sector X" for the lovely source material.

A Small Preview

Here is a tiny window into what I've been working on in my spare time (and do I mean spare!! I don't think I've ever let a personal project spread out so long. Maybe the first time I just don't have energy to finish it up really quick? Probably a good thing and a sign of maturity).

Small Diversion

Hugh Dancy

August 1, 2007: I updated this painting tonight after looking at some more pics of Hugh Dancy. I thought his hair looked too perfect and wanted to lighten his eyes (among a few other small changes). I think it looks a little more like him now.

Here's a new one that I did today. It's Hugh Dancy--a gentleman that was most recently in the film "Evening." While Mr. Dancy may be alarming, the film is not. Anyway, this was fun, and I feel like I'm really getting to where I want to be. I'm most happy with the how I'm getting more expressive with brush strokes and willing to let that show in my work. (I'd still like to let it show more, but I think that will come with time)

Madge II

I was so inspired by Madge that I gave her another go--this time with intention of success, and not just fun. I'm really happy with the turn out, and I combined an effect that I use in my line art (separating and recombining the CMYK channels) to unify the colors as well as give a slightly offset-print feel.f

This is probably a little more Philip Burke than it is me, but that's all right. I think that the best way to learn how to do something is to copy a success story, and then use that knowledge next time. So that's what I'll do!