Monday, January 18, 2010

Ashcan Art


Today I painted with a student of mine. He wanted to
try out the zorn palette.
Jeff introduced me to some Ashcan art. I was amazed
how beautiful it was.
This piece, called "The sand artist" was originaly painted
by George Luks in 1905
Using Titanium White- Yellow Ocher- Cad. Red- Ivory Black
I toned the board with yellow ocher and a bit of red.
scketched out the figure in charcoal and began painting.
I put down a brush stroke, and left it!
As tempting as it was to fiddle, I just kept putting down
brush strokes.
Once all the base color was applied, I went to lighter tones.
The darker tones I did last.
This is the result of this method.
Although it seems primitive, I want to explore this painting
method more. I hope to get more refined in time.
7.5"x5.5" oil on gesso'd board

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great idea! I like the "one stroke and leave it" method as well.

This is a charming piece.

Judy P. said...

There is a lot of power and energy in painting this way. But when to keep it primitive, and when to get really refined, that's what confuses me. Perhaps for some the subject matter tells them, but I don't know any of that yet. The simple gesture and expression of your figure says a lot, and your colors help support that too!

billspaintingmn said...

Thanks Cindy! My student is my teacher on this!

Thanks Judy! I so want to go back in and "refine" areas. I still may. This was a fun
lesson!

Celeste Bergin said...

It is fun to realize that we didn't really "invent" the urban landscape painting--that it was done by the "Ashcan" first. You did a great job on this and I'm sure the "put down one stroke and leave it" principle really made this come together. :)

billspaintingmn said...

Thank you Celeste!
"Ashcan" art interests me, as does other types
of painting.
Putting one stroke down and leave it is the tuff part. I want to be perfect with each stroke.
Practice, practice, practice.

Lokelani Forrest said...

Someone used the word primitive to describe this piece. I'm not sure what is meant by primitive art - maybe it's the simplicity of the piece which is very intriguing, and it appears that is also descriptive of "Ashcan Art." Well done.

billspaintingmn said...

Hi Lokelani!
I think "primitive" is keeping it simple, or basic.
Not a lot of embellisments, or added flair.
Some paintings have a lot of embellisments. or
flair, but if you "peel away" the layers, it's
the primitive part of the painting that holds
the trueth of the piece.
Primitive "cuts to the chase", or gives you the "bottom line"
Thanks for commenting!