[TheMilkMan]

He he..very good ...not my cup of tea ..blah blah..wow 20 mins...blah blah..blah blah.. wish I could come and paint up in the mts blah blah...keep it up good work..blah blah..

Hey did someone sit there and model for you or are those out of your head???

What are you thinking when you are trying to figure out lighting...for characters I use a high poly human model that I made and can pose easily then use a light source in max to get my lighting..what is you secret man siittt...to good with lighting..

[ May 14, 2001: Message edited by: TheMilkMan ]

[daryl]

these are awesome.

my weakest point in 2d is to actually get the rough shape down in few strokes and colors, do you have any advice in developing this, or is it just practice?

thanks,

-d

[Fred Flick Stone]

Wow, beautiful sketches. Are you doing these in a class? Maybe at Calabassas? Are you taking a plein aire class or are you heading outside on your own? I really love the sea scape. It has a very nice spontaneous quality to it. I also really like the top two heads on your four panel. Very convincing.
Have you tried doing any long studies in oil from life? Like the same pose for over twenty hours? Or are you more inclined to run in the direction of shorter more spontaneous imagery? I would think that the longer poses would help out in your more spontaneous paintings, in that since you know the form, and how it is lit, and why, that you could easily take that information and create a more immediate delivery with paint.

Just my two cents. I really like these. Beautiful as usual.

[Prometheus-ANJ]

It's like a lil xmas everytime Spooge posts...

Top right: Looks like the old man who gives a boy a glass of water in one of Diego Vel�zquez's paintings.

Diego V. is one of my favourite classic painters, I should study his works more...

[burn0ut]

Hey, i think ive had that model(the top right) in a figuredrawing class onces.... looks familiar anyways..
Oh yea and thoes paintings rock!

[Cos]

wow love those heads spooge

[Bg]

After seeing some of your oil paintings, I tried it and now I'm totally hooked. The results are far from your amazing sketches and I have problems getting the right colours with oils, maybe it's the limited palette or maybe it's my skills =) Anyway, keep up your inspirative work!!

Btw. what size of canvas do you use?

[EDIT] Have you done mattes for Lord of the Rings - movie?-) I'm asking because I found your pic from a site that has shots of LOTR movie. http://thesilentman.free.fr/image_24-04-2001.html

[ May 14, 2001: Message edited by: Bg ]

[balistic]

These remind me very much of Sargent, but with a more planar stroke. I usually refrain from commenting on your work because it seems like a lot of people praise you just for the sake of it, however I think that these pieces are some of your strongest.

Perhaps the portraits could use some specular highlights in places . . . eyes, nose, et cetera. Otherwise, I haven't got any critique.

[Bishop_Six]

ToastyKen: It is all about attitude. If someone just says, "great work", it's either because they couldn't find something wrong with it or they think it's just a strong piece of work and they like it.

If someone has a critique, they should give it. However, I would consider just saying, "ho-hum, seen that a 1000 times before," to have no real purpose other than to insult the work the person made. Which is why I called it a personal attack.

Now, this will be my last post on the subject, because I don't want to clutter up Craig's thread any more than I have.

[janne]

wonderful! i love seeing these experiments from you. as others have already said, very inspiring. funny, i get a bit mickeish feel from the forms of the top left portrait.
also the outdoor painting is great, how big canvas is that? and how long did it take? i'm interested because i tried my hand on similar stuff this weekend(with gecko) and i was wondering whether it would be wise to do many quick and small sketches or to do bigger and spend more time on each... anyway, please keep sharing these!

(humm, on technical note, do you scan or shoot these? and how do you get the colors even remotely close to the originals?)

janne.

[spooge demon]

Hey cool! A ruckus! I always wanted to start one of those.

I am an absolute novice at oil painting. When I did real paintings for a living, it was always with gouache and acrylic. The number of oils I have done is very low. God the stuff is frustrating. You would think that the drawing would be OK despite the change of medium, but if you cant control the paint, NOTHING is correct, from drawing to values to color. It’s all screwed. These are my first baby steps into this most amazing universe of oil paint. No other medium has the strength of color, the range of technique and the extreme value range (yum) as oil paint. That is why I am going there, but it is so intimidating to go where giants have been.

The abstract quality of the work is just as much a subject of the work as what you would traditionally think of as the subject. It is about paint, and the nature of the physical object that you are producing. Every great painting, whether naturalistic or abstract, is a beautiful object. It is a subtle point, and maybe an advanced one, but one to think about.

Malorum- They are painted on cheap canvas board. The heads are on the first layer, meaning there is no painting underneath. I am trying to do as many of these as I can, and storage is a big problem, and very few are worth keeping, and I am a cheap bastard, I just gesso over them. Some boards have 3-4 paintings under the surface. The heads are a virgin application of paint, so to speak.

The seascape is also a first application, if I remember, but it does not look it. If you go to Utrecht.com, you will see gallon cans of gesso for very cheap. I trowel that stuff on the board and use the side of a house brush to make that rough texture. It ends up looking like the paint is a lot thicker than it is. But that painting has no turp use in it- it is all “short” paint.

Collismo, Yes, I was only partly successful with what I was seeking there, the bottom two, esp the jaw area of the bottom left, are not clear. Clarity and simplicity was what I was after, always, and these are a little short. Actually the seascape was done the day after I had painted the same rock with disastrous results, but doing it allowed me to think through the problems and do it again the next day much better.

Elijah, hmm glad you like them. I am not sure about the emotional quality, these seem a little academic and deadpan to me, but I am happy that you saw value in them!

Joachim- acrylics are better than nothing! Get some odorless paint thinner, no prob with the smell. Yes they are wet into wet. It is limiting techniquewise, once you start with glazing and scumbling with oil, the doors really open up with the paint. But that is one nice thing about acrylic, you can break that old “fat over lean” rule because acrylic is so robust and flexible. If you want, I can talk a lot about the tricks of acrylic, I remember many.

Glad you like them sear! I thought they might not be graphic enough for you. I will be moving in that direction, eventually.

Micke, Hehe, if I can impress you, I am happyJ I am going to make mountains of these, I have a lot already, but all are of this quality, so I will not bother. I will find some other place to dump em too, as not to spam anyone.

Sedone, quite welcome!

Hey Gecko, I think you will love working with oil. Work thick!

Blakk- I would like to see Helen van Ick’s work. I am always looking for great work, and sometimes you just might find it on cable TV. I think Chuck Jones should be in the Louvre. As far as you not being too impressed, well, I am just beginning with this, and I will get better. I am farther along than when I started.

Rinaldo, Glad you like the colors, I have been working on them. Eventually I would like to paint the heads with the same color freedom and the outdoor color sketch.

Nori- I have tried every form of working, and still try different stuff all the time “what would happen if I…” As you get more experience, you can answer that question without have to do it. I can paint entirely by shape in PS and gouache, but not oil yet. I am still thrashin around with it.

Blackpool. I have never tried a finished head in oil, whatever that may be. I would imagine I would draw more carefully, being less “symbol” oriented in my shapes, and work thinner to thicker. Or to say I would hold back on the thicker paint until later. But generally, I would be more careful with the drawing.

Akolyte, that’s what I like to hear.

Toastyken, I generally listen to the overall enthusiasm or lack thereof when I post something. Some of the things I like, not many others do, and some that I am reluctant to post get a lot of response. I like the idea of a “collective editing” this board can provide. So I agree with you that it is fine if someone is not overly positive, they should feel free to say so, but if some one is genuinely enthused, they should say so also. But silence can be deafening as well

Magpie. Thanks!

Koryh- Yes, those guys were my teachers at school, and I learned a lot from them too. I am honored to be thought of as continuing their traditions.

Gimbal8, you are quite welcome.

Lunatique, yes I see your point. I guess I wasn’t mortally wounded by blakk’s post, I am secure enough to handle that. I have seen a lot of posts on this board that don’t contribute much, but I don’t know if blakk’s fell into that category. The only thing that I found unfortunate is implying that the work looked like something on TV, and therefore worthless. That is an unfortunate simplification of how you go about finding value in art or anything.

The first image was a cool overhead light, and the rest were done with those photographers spot lights. Quite warm by contrast.

Thanks frost, sure, move to the middle of the pacific with meJ

Thanks Dino!

V1510nary Thanks- yes, I really like making real painting actually.

Thanks cos!

Bg- Glad to find you hooked, as I am. Is it the colors? Try working in a limited palette, like black white, a medium dark red and ultramarine. Can’t get into much trouble. You can get almost real color by just playing the warms and cools, and simplifies the variables you must contend with. But as I always say, it probably is not the colors! Post em and let’s have a look
I have not done anything on TLOTR yet, I might. I talked to them a while ago,. But was entangled in FF at the time they were filling their ranks. They do have some very good painters, though.

Balistic, thanks! Interesting that you have quite the opposite opinion of Blakk. That is why I post these things, it is always a surprise, and it does change my opinions to hear other opinions.

Bishop, I guess Blakk is right, in an absolute sense. We all suck the big one in comparison to many great artists, I guess that goes without saying, which is your point

Morbid thanks! I will, maybe or maybe not here, though. A little OT?

You are right bang, his comment was directed not only at me… hmmm

Lets’ see it poxen…

Milkman- These are from the model. I generally work a lot out of my head, but the only thing that allows this is having done so many of these in the past (though not with oils) As to you other question, I am thinking and looking, hard to do both at the same time. Relying on raytracing to show form and lighting are just not enough. If you like my work well enough to ask about it, trust me enough to tell you that you are crippling yourself by not using nature to learn. Secrets? That’s the biggest one right there.

Daryl, My advice is to slow down. The fewer stokes and shapes, the more accurate and well thought out the must be. So when you start, draw the big shapes slowly and accurately. You will be surprised how far along you get very quickly.

It’s Fred! Did you get the check? Yes, these are done at calabassas, the seascape done on my own. I have not tried longer poses with a head in oil, I would love to. It would be a whole new thang. I think I am inclined to work as quickly as can and still get the main info down more or less correctly. I think I would like to try something like asaro, but what attracts me to his work is the drawing is wonderful, but it is not concerned with finish. So I think a carefully controlled spontaneity (sounds like a contradiction) is what I am ultimately after.

ANJ-77 Thanks!

Burnout- yes, I think he has modeled around some. He has the most amazing local color in his head, The warms and cools are quite pronounced.

[Joachim]

yeah, spooge. If you wouldn't mind. I would LOVE to hear some tips and tricks about acrylics. I don't know any, I just experiment my way through. The only thing I've found out so far is, throw the green tube away.....

[quaternius]

spooge -
These studies are great encouragement. Damn, I need to find/make more time to do this. I like the "block-in" you're talkin' about. Very good practice - that's for sure - get the basics right, the rest will follow. (Well, it's still easy to screw up the finish, but certainly helps start right.) My fav. teacher wanted us to paint these "starts" he called them - get to this level of finish and move on to the next painting. "Paint from life but paint small - 6"x8" or 8"x10" canvas boards; do 3 a day - you will improve!." ("c'mon - 20min ea. is only an hour!" ---yeah, like I ever painted anything in oils that fast.) The idea was to get faster accuracy at observing and faster accuracy at mixing and learn to paint thick. He advocated a small four color palette as well. I still prefer it; less is more. Hey check out his book for lots of tips...good stuff in there - the artist is Kevin MacPherson.

Like Joachim said... tips on acrylics would be great. There's always more to learn.

Joachim - don't make me throw my pthalo green away! Please! It comes in handy quite a bit! Or my permanent green light! How could I paint in acrylics without it???!!!

[silber]

tips about acrylics?!
that would be wonderful
I recently started painting with them
(I had to because I couldn't use oils in school)
but more and more I like them because
as you said they are so ''flexible''

[vebjorn]

Oils rule...
Acrylics are ok too..
Here`s one of my old acrylic conan. My oil ones are far better, but I can`t get those huge canvases into my scanner. The technique of blending before it dries, drybrusheing and/or careful layering are boring as hell in my opinion. But it`s alot easier to control than oils, but the results are far duller. If anyone wants to see hires, or parts to see better the technical aspects. send me an email to [email protected] and I`ll send it to ya;-)

[Freddio]

Amazing Spooge.. Thanks lot for the INspiration everytime you post you give so much inspiration..

Im doing oil painting on canvas for my school art class.. IM going to do a painting like that post apocaliptic 3dpalette comp

Ive been looking at alot of Boris Vallejo's work lately.. that is simply awesome.. he uses oils a lot..

Vebjorn please post some more of your pics

I would love to see some higres stuff.. also..

COuld anyone give some tips to me about going about oils? I actually havet used any yet..

just guache and Acrylic..

Thanks everyone

post your oil work here

[Freddio]

BUMp Bump!!

[Blakk]

My intention was not to affend. I said that I like the work of spooge demon. I've been to your web site and I've seen a lot of work here on sijun that I like very much. I think you are a great artist.

I just don't like little ass kissers that get all worked up over quick little sketches. When I was in art school we did sketches like this every wednessday and thursday morning. Then in the afternoon we put in the details.
If any of you people end up going to a good art school and study fine art as a major you to will have to do sketches like this.

If any one here lives near New York USA go to the Metropolitan Musium of art and look at a Rubens or a Rembrant. If theses sketches impress you then you will fall of the floor and faint when you see the Wolf Hunt by rubens. Its the size of a wall like 10 feet high and is so realistic that the wolves look like they are going to jump out at you.

That's impressive. Just turn off the internet for just one day and ask your mommy's to take you there. -ha -ha -ha

[travis travis]

well blakk, the ass kissers only come when you have a rep in the first place - so - get over it. yeah these are just sketches, but most people can read a lot more into them knowing spooge's other work and having some idea of his personality and stuff.

does spooge's fame and success bug you? it's not like he was just handed it on a platter, people admire him because he's a serious artist.

[nori]

I'd like to see some of these quick sketches you did in art school blakk. Do share.

[edit]er I can't spell[/edit]

[ May 17, 2001: Message edited by: nori ]

[Bg]

Two of my paintings

[Lunatique]

Some people just have attitude problems. They might not even notice that their tone of voice is offensive. They think they are just making a point, while by the average person's standard of politness, they are actually a bit rude in their choice of words and how he/she expressed opinions.

Oh well, there will always be people like that.

Blakk, you need to understand that the reason why Craig is so loved here is because not only is he exceptionally talented, he is also very generous in sharing his knowledge. On top of that, he is polite, wise, kind, helpful, and very modest. Fame did not go to his head, neither did adoration.

If it seems we are protective of him, it's because we ARE.

Get over it.

[SpiralEye]

SPOOGE! CRAIG! The same person!!!!! [He shakes his head in disbelief] Should have checked the homepage link earlier. . . I found the Sijun forum thanks to your homepage, Craig. Thanks a bunch! Nice sketches, too, by the way.

[Gambit]

I find it amusing that you reference Rubens and Rembrant as artits you find "impressive".

I guess it goes to show how strong Mullins body of work is, when someone needs to reference those names...

We judge not Mr. Mullins by his art only, but also his abiltiy to instruct others and for his generosity on sharing his vast storehouse of knowledge.

Spooge Demon means a lot to this forum, so excuse me for posting this reply...

[Radiater]

Hey Spooge,

Like many others who visit this forum, I am quick to open threads you've started simply to view the eye candy you post (liked your gladiator pic). Unlike some, I don't post how much I enjoyed viewing your stuff simply because you have about fifty replies by the time I get online and I don't have anything really constructive to say (I can't paint to save my life).

So why am I posting now? Well, when I first viewed this thread I wasn't particularly impressed with these works. Why, because they didn't fit into your normal realm of amazing stuff, or so I thought. Having read through all the comments and seen what blakk said. I revisited why I had thought that myself. The answer is this:

I assumed that you would somehow be amazing no matter what the medium. And I expected that oils would be something you would have mastered before going digital (your site being called goodbrush was one of the things that led me to think this). I assumed and that's probably where I erred.

Knowing now that you are "an absolute novice at oil painting," and your understatement about oils: "God the stuff is frustrating." It gives me a whole new respect and admiration for your works in this thread. But alas, I still don't have anything constructive to say about your works.

So that all said, please add me to the list of fawning sycophants gushing about how amazing your work is.

Please note: this is all meant to be constructive. However, there was no one available to proof read my post to make sure it won't offend.

Radiater.

ps. Now that I've left responding to your thread so long - I wonder if you'll even see these comments.

[Blakk]

My original reason for replying to this post is because just like you I love spooges work. I've stated that I like it a lot.

Gambit- If you think for just one moment that these sketches are as good as a Rembrant or a Rubens you are crazy. Even Crage said that he is a beginer at oil painting. I commend him for a great start. I'm sure if he keeps it up he will be great.

Also I do have to mention that I like that Veb pic.

[catnip]

Beautifly done!

[SpiralEye]

Oh yeah,
Oil tip you probably already know:

Paint two colors next to each other, then run a (relatively) clean brush between them to get a smooth color transition.

[Gambit]

Blakk - Never said that! You throw the names out like Rembrant and Rubens, as if we all should be judged by what they are capable of doing. Of course we all will fall lightyears short...

You really made no point at all by mocking the posters that their due praise and compliments were ill-founded because Rembrant and Rubens can do better.

I guess on my witless end, I find your statments illogical.