Thursday, January 8, 2009

The body blue

For awhile a little over a year ago I was occasionally
determined to try a new background colour. Blue --
which as a primary is certainly one of my favorite
colours -- was for the most part unsuccessful as a
background colour. It seemed to deaden skin.
I know many classical portrait painters recommend
going for blue in the shadows on a face, and I've
tried it for sure. But all blue?

Picasso did it, and it worked. Me not so much.
Still this one drawing (I don't think I've shown it
to you before) that I did in art class is a happy
Blue figure study. The model had a lovely body,
great composure (that is she didn't complain
or twitch, an undeniable temptation in the
sometimes chilly studio our art group inhabits.)
She was what wonderful models always are --
an inspiration.

Figure study
acrylic and oil pastel on watercolour paper
24 x 36 inches

So I'm putting this one on the blog.

Big day tomorrow, I have got to go and rest
my interviewing voice, and my drawing arm.

Have a hey-the-light's-coming-back day!
at

9 comments:

  1. EdgarJanuary 8, 2009 at 10:30 PM

    Feels coool, but not blue. Loved the detachment of color and line in this image... and your exciting collages below too, especially the "handpainted" photographs that were xeroxes®.

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  2. MelindaJanuary 8, 2009 at 10:31 PM

    Very daring! I can see that the model is an inspiration. She seems now to be made of quicksilver. She seems happy, safe and impervious to cold. Rather heavenly in some ways, but present, here, with simplicity.

    Nicely done.

    Best wishes for the interview and for drawing!

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  3. claud-hopJanuary 8, 2009 at 10:35 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. claud-hopJanuary 8, 2009 at 10:38 PM

    Hey Barbara,

    You wrote at the end of your blog "have a hey-the-light-is-coming-back day", which made me smile because tonight as I was waiting for the bus at about 5:30 PM I realized instead of being practically pitch black already, that the sky was a very deep, sea-type blue. The light is indeed coming back, which I am excited about because all this darkness makes me sleepy.

    Love,
    Claudia

    P.S. I also wanted to mention that I love the handmade collage journals from your previous post. They are so whimsical, and I am going to attempt to make one!

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  5. Liza HirstJanuary 9, 2009 at 11:11 AM

    Dear Barbara,
    I am very sorry that I haven't commented on your blog for so long!
    I love looking at your art and and reading your texts but I simply don't get round to it as often as I would like to. It was a pleasure to discover your latest drawings, your handsome sons(!!)and your beautiful "blue body"!
    Thank you very much for your inspiration and your daily "sentences"! You are wonderful!!

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  6. Barbara MuirJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    Hi Edgar,

    Thanks so much,

    I like how you express what works. So eloquent as usual.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  7. Barbara MuirJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:47 PM

    Hi Melinda,

    I know what you mean. I don't usually show my figure drawings,
    but this one seemed discreet enough.

    Thanks so much. I need the good wished.

    xoxoxBarbara

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  8. Barbara MuirJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:49 PM

    Hi Claudia,

    Isn't it great when the light comes
    back. You feel a little closer to spring every day, even though you're knee deep in snow.

    Yes. You would be great at the collages. They really look great on a watercolour background.

    Love Barbara

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  9. Barbara MuirJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:50 PM

    Hi Liza,

    I am always happy to hear from you.
    I think about your paintings all the time. Sometime I'd like to talk to you. I also plan to buy your book when the cheques start to come in from school.

    Happiest of New Years.

    xoxoxoxBarbara

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