03/05/19
Painting Peer Critique hosted in CCA Derry.
Artist John Robinson with his work on the temporary stage at CCA Derry.
04/05/19
Close up of “The Lost Woods Study”
Been a while since using leaves to print on. Needs more layers but for now it solves the issue of the line… breaks the eye.
So after four months and four days I’ve finally finished a painting and broke my 2019 drought.
Detail of “Rose” - oil and charcoal on canvas.
05/05/19
First time visiting and it was like opening an old wound.
11/05/19
One very creepy window display.
12/05/19
Great Art show: “Goya: Flesh and Blood”
Started “Sack Race” (working title) and stupidly didn’t check material inventory before starting.
17/05/19
Sketching tonight. Past self was clever enough to leave certain works aside for potential events.
Study of an Uncle.
18/05/19
Really happy with how the studio went today.
19/05/19
Completed “The Lost Woods Study”.
20/05/19
Not to rely on gimmick. It has been an invaluable tool - one that I will continue to utilise - but only when the work demands it. If it is forced (like “Woman With the Dogs” and, more recently, “Ruins”) the work stagnates and imagery drowns in an unnecessarily complicated mess.
21/05/19
Should take own advice from time to time about differing paint properties.
In “Sack Race” - the looser the playing field the better. Almost tempted not to touch it at all.
A sort of closure. A temporary full stop.
22/05/19
Ran out of time. Need to keep RD by side.
23/05/19
Ring-gate.
25/05/19
“I know more. The lack of whats in the current work informs the next.” - Eva Rothschild.
More layers to “The Ferryman”. Because the face of the ferryman is so small it would be easy to fall into the familiar trap of aiming to capture all the detail and likeness of the source image. Focusing instead on light and tone - maybe even a hint of a blur? Like the figure is in the middle of turning to look at the viewer.
Surprise / Confrontation / Acknowledgement
Back and forth with “Sack Race”. Happy with certain elements, like the sky but have consequently fogged up other sections in the process. Eager to not fall into the familiar trap of muddiness and over-painting.
More progress to the sky in “Sack Race”.
27/25/19
29/05/19
Late night sketchbook work.