The third and largest in my recent series of dog paintings:
 |
Sleeping Woman with Dog
20" x 36" oil on linen 2016
|
This composition is built around the triangle of dark notes in the woman's hair, the night sky, and the dog. The middle tone of the blanket is a bridge between the dark and light notes.
In the initial drawing, the dog was sleeping and lying in the same direction as the woman:
 |
drawing #1
6 1/4" x 9" pencil on paper 2016
|
I liked the composition on an abstract level, developed two more drawings from it, but came to feel the narrative was too obvious. The drawings were put aside. A couple weeks later, I had the idea to face the dog in the other direction. The energy seemed much better, more interesting, especially with the dog's eye now open.
 |
drawing #4
6" x 9 1/4" pencil on graph paper 2016
|
The next to last drawing:
 |
drawing #5
17 5/8" x 32" pencil on paper with red and yellow ratio lines 2016
|
Final drawing, full size and used for transferring the image to canvas:
 |
drawing #6
20" x 36" pencil on paper with pastel tone on reverse 2016
|
This piece has such a wonderful quietness about it. The woman sleeping peacefully, untroubled by the darkness outside and the open window to the unknown. Her watchful dog lying next to her comforted by her warmth but keeping the slipper close - a beautiful touch - for reassurance. The seemingly ordinary speaks eloquently about intimacy and closeness. - G
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting, Andrew! And yes, the dog is much better being alert and watchful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. A portrait of tranquility -- but with a hint of wariness (open eyes) and/or protection.
ReplyDelete'Sleeping Woman with Dog' is beautiful!... with the dog framed in orange and the geometric abstract quality of the black window lines and the force of the woman and dog in opposite directions.
ReplyDelete- Christina