Jane, 11x14

A 'Jane' Experiment....
     It was time for another portrait session with a group of painters that has been meeting regularly for over 12 years.  It is a supportive group, very open to all kinds of new techniques, and ready to steal any good ideas they see.  I know this because I steal from them all the time.....and they are all good painters.

On this day I decided to try some different stuff.  I had gotten a free tube of Azo Coral that was bundled with some M.Graham white I had ordered.  To that I added Indian Red,  Raw Umber, Ultramarine Blue, and Transparent Gold Ochre, colors I haven't used much before and certainly not together on one painting.  A handful of flat brushes and a Raymar panel rounded things out.  While I don't usually use medium, I tried Gamblin Galkyd Gel.

To this mix I added the intention of seeing if I could soften more edges and join forms where it seemed workable, letting shapes intermingle.

A problem I have....well, many painters have this one..... is keying the values of a painting when working in less than ideal light, too bright or too dark.   In this case the corner I was in was at an interesting angle to the model but didn't have the best lighting....and I had decided to not tone the  canvas to cut white glare.   It's the first few strokes in a piece that set the direction of what follows.  To make sure I get it correct I tape this value scale on my pochade so I can place small dabs of paint on it to check myself.  Works really well when I remember to use it.  You can see the little paint dabs.

Great model.  Held this pose almost exactly through several 20 minute sessions.  I had to leave early so don't feel I got it exactly where I was headed but still felt satisfied.  The Azo Coral was a nice change in the reds although I had to be careful not to let it get too dominant.  It didn't gray down the way Cad Red does when mixed with white, which is a characteristic of synthetic pigments.  The Galkyd Gel was a plus as it got tacky and able to accept more paint as the day went on.

Next time I'll see if I can loosen up more.

Thanks for your interest.