Oly Destroyeman Underpainting Part II

 

I had a conversation today with a fellow artist who convinced me that given the nature of my job, I shouldn't count on having large blocks of time to do my work. So, I'm trying to work in increments. It's not satisfying, because when I start making art, I want to keep jamming until I'm burnt. (However, working in short bursts of time may stop me from overworking things.)

So, here we are. Session two of teaching myself how to work with oils. I could definitely use a mentor on this. I have very little clue as to what I'm doing. I'm using the oils like I'd use watercolor...(but then again, maybe I was using the watercolors more like opaque paints...). I have no idea how to use the glaze, liquin and safflower oil I bought to augment the paints. If I remember correctly, in college we only used the oil paints and turp.

And let me tell you...cleaning up after oil painting...that's 30 minutes right there...Oh well. I never promised myself a rose garden with this medium. I'm pretty happy with how it's shaping up- even though I've probably only put 45 minutes tops into this thing over 2 weeks. Time and money. That's all I need. Until either of those two things are fulfilled in abundance in my life, I'll just keep chipping away.

An Oly Destroyerman

 

I've started my first oil painting since college. As my first subject, I decided to paint a sailor from a group photo of Destroyermen from the USS Olympia landing party that went ashore during the beginning of the North Russia Expedition. 50 sailors (and a couple officers) went on an incredibly complex mission to Archangel which I believe was to safeguard the Czech Legion. The Czechs had been allies of the Czar and were suddenly unwelcome (and trapped) in Russia after the October Revolution. Their story is actually very fascinating, as they criss-crossed Russia on trains trying to fight their way out.

So. I'm oil painting again. It's every bit as challenging as I remember it, especially in my ill-lit and unventilated basement. (Let's hear it for odorless turpentine, shall we?) We'll see how far I get.

Oh yeah! By the way, I was told that gCaptain was going to feature my Liberty Cuffs piece tomorrow on Maritime Monday. gCaptain is a fascinating and informative site (as well as Casco Bay Boaters) which you should make part of your daily maritime reading. Check 'em out!