Honore Daumier Studies

Recently I've been infatuated with Honore Daumier's work. He was a caricature artist from the 1800s.

His works have a strong interplay between lighting and gesture, which I would like to reflect in my work. So the best way to do that is to study them!

There is specifically one work that particularly struck me during my studies even though there are others I would like to go over.

I wanted to go for simplicity and look for the initial impact of the composition and values. This way I can create a strong visual impact in my own work.

The Print Collector 1857-63
Image from - http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/daumier_honore.html

The lighting on the floor (A) and the slanted canvases (B) combine to make a ramp that directs the eye. The prints of landscapes (I'm assuming) (D) create a rhythm that also points towards that help create a focal point. The repetition also helps to convey this - 9 landscapes and one portraiture drawing.
The placement of the table (C) juxtaposed with the table underneath the focal point creates a direction that is similar to the direction created by the landscape prints. I'm not quite sure what the purpose of it is other than that.
Finally, there is (F) - the direction of the collectors gaze and the direction of his chest. The gaze is directed at the drawing while the plain of the chest feels like it is pointing towards the drawing. There is a slight variation in value between the side of the head and the face to indicate reflected light bouncing off the drawing.

I love how the composition feels so purposeful. That directions of plains are slanted to interact with light to aid in direction of the viewers eye to the focal point. Then there are the subtleties of the landscapes prints. They're all simple, but still have enough detail to suggest that they are 'there', but in low contrast.

Coraline Studies - Inspiration For More Narrative In My Work

Lately I've noticed that my artworks lack narrative. I realised this after looking at Sergey Kolesov's work. His concepts feel like there is a story happening with people and things interacting in interesting compositions.

To work on this, I've been studying screen caps of Coraline where there are many elements making up a scene such as composition, lighting, gesture, interacting figures, textures - so many great things. Coraline used traditional methods to make the film so I feel like its a good idea to copy these instead of films using CGI. Firstly the models exist in reality and therefore obey the laws of physics in terms of lighting and form. CGI does damn well at replicating this but doesn't have to obey the laws, but is created to appear like it is. Sure Coraline would have used a lot of digital touch ups on colours and lighting but it still had to start in the physical world.

References -

http://disneyscreencaps.com/coraline-2009/1/#/

Sergey Kolesov

http://vimeo.com/channels/peleng
http://www.inprnt.com/search/?q=Sergey+Kolesov
http://pelengart.blogspot.com.au/

Exposing my colour fraudulance

Way too much red and yellow. GAH!

This was painted with afternoon ambient light so I had to be quick. Was about 50 mins.

Resident Evil Remake BKG

I found the backgrounds in this game very inspiring because of their sombre tone. Damn awesome game as well.

Gouache on 300gsm hot pressed paper.

Rody

Loved the atmospheric perspective dust in this one separating the Rody and the clown behind him. Such a great shot so I had to paint it as soon as I could.

Rosen

Lighting scheme was inspired by a scene out of Coraline.

Not quite sure where this picture is originally from but I found a powerpoint of National Geographic photos called - Photo Mix 21

Took about 2hrs and 30mins. I wasn't focusing on correct proportions too much but I do feel I get tunnel vision and don't 'stand back' from the painting. I also changed it to CMYK halfway through the darn painting - whoops!