speed

gurneycopy-900_9510

This is a copy of a painting by James Gurney which he made while waiting for his breakfast to arrive. He painted the man at the bar in about 10 minutes with the rest of the scene completed later.

It took me over an hour to do this pencil copy, sat on a sofa in the evening with the TV on in the background, enough time for half a dozen Gurney paintings. But I think I need to stop being so concerned about speed as I think that comes naturally with regular practice and knowledge of materials.

I do find myself falling back to pencil much of the time as it’s the only medium where I can quickly render large areas of tone together with areas of precision. If only it didn’t look like pencil! For a painting I still need (for now) a table, a couple of tubs of water with access to a tap for refills, kitchen roll, space for the paper, brushes and materials, and lots of time.

2 thoughts on “speed

  1. Ed Mostly

    Ambassador, with these three posts you are spoiling us! I like the sketchiness of the oiled bookshelves, the calm focus of the jug (the ‘mistakes’ with the handle/spout angles are also in the original?), and the range of tones you’ve achieved in the pencil drawing. For speedy and accurate areas of tone I find dilute ink in a water-brush the best, but my sketching’s over-focussed on speed and portability so this might not work for you? Ed

    Reply
  2. Jim Post author

    Dilute Lexington Gray in a waterbrush is a wonderful thing, but I’m mindful of our white Ikea sofa covers!
    P.S. Thanks again for the Staniland on the bookshelves.

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