The second of my monkey paintings is finished:
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Two Woman with a Monkey
18" x 20", oil on linen, 2017-2018
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There are four significant changes between the painting and the final drawing: the monkey's position, the structure of the porch, the right arm of the blonde woman, and the addition of two more oranges.
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Two Women with a Monkey (drawing #2, final)
18" x 20", pencil on paper with pastel tone on reverse, 2017 |
The first orange - the one being offered to the monkey - provided a bright warm note in a composition that I planned to fill with cool greens and blues as well as greys and blacks. However, as the painting progressed, I had the idea to add two more oranges which proved fortuitous, creating a subtle circular movement with more energy and interest.
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| detail, ca. 13" x 8" |
There are two more drawings related to this painting: the initial sketch and a monkey study for the new position on the table.
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Two Women with a Monkey (drawing #1)
6 1/2" x 7 3/4", pencil on graph paper, 2017
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Two Women with a Monkey (monkey study)
8 1/2" x 12 1/2", pencil on paper with pastel tone on reverse, 2017
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This concludes my monkey paintings for now, though I have a couple other drawings with potential, including one with a lot of monkeys. Will see.
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Lots of Monkeys
7" x 8", pencil on graph paper, 2017
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I very much like the changes you have made to the final painting. The monkey is now more engaged with the two women with all three framed and drawn together by the porch structure. The repositioning of the blonde woman's right arm and the addition of the oranges also fosters a greater intimacy in the work. The oranges are clearly valued, held closely by the women, and yet they are willing to share what is precious to them with the monkey. It is a wonderfully realized exploration of curiosity, giving, and shared tenderness.
ReplyDelete- G.S.