As soon as I heard about The Future Generations Art Prize, I began planning the paintings I would submit. The show will be held in my birth country, Ukraine, and the grand prize is 100K! An opportunity I couldn’t miss out on. I’ve been wanting to do a large Ukrainian themed painting for a while, and this seemed like a great time to finally do it.
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Concept SketchesI went through a few ideas and decided on a father teaching his son how to chop wood. My first concept felt too centered and boring, because both figures were facing the camera and the entire scene was symetrical. So, I did a few more small thumbnails, just focusing on the 2-value breakdown. Just concerned about the composition at the point. The details of the story would be worked out during the photoshoot. I chose #4 for the final painting. |
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PhotoshootI hired my models and bought some old clothing from the local thrift store. I had the two models do separate photo shoots, so I could focus on each individually. I had them take many different poses from various angles to have options. In the end I went with the same poses as in my concept sketch. Then I needed to find some reference for all the objects in the environment. I was lucky to find a really nice lumber yard not too far from my house with a pile of wood and a cabin. Even though the cabin was not of a Ukrainian style (vertical wood rather than horizontal logs), I used it for perspective and to borrow some colors. I took pictures of my grandfathers old bike as a secondary story for the boy. |
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Final SketchI put all the elements together in this final drawing study. |
Painting
This is so cool! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Clement!
Stan, So useful to see the step-wise development of a narrative painting. Seems like the initial rough sketches were critical, since the final comp ended up so similar. Nice post (and good luck). Candace.
ya, the concept sketches are a must. Mine always start off boring and I have to mold them slowly until I get something interesting.
Just a note, the #5 sketch was done after the photo shoot. 1-4 were done before the photo shoot.
felicidades, es Una web de Pintura MUY BUENA. Estupendas Obras, me ha encantado la Fuerza de pinceladas SUS. Mirare mas tranquilo Otro Día “.
GRACIAS y mi sincero Aplauso
Stan, I loved watching you work today on the side of the road. This piece is beautiful and I love how you photographed your images in concept. I recognize the little wood building by the Salvation Army store in Poway I believe.
Tiffany,
Thanks for stopping by to say hello! You’re right, that is the building by the Salvation Army.
Прекрасный урок!
hi sorry just something that i could not miss your reference had the boy with a prop for an axe without the heavy metal head ! in the painting the centre of gravity is completely different as the head is now on the axe, he could not possibly hold the axe in that position ,and that is the problem with staging works of art ….the un-natural nature of a set up work
Thanks for sharing the stages you completed in order to arrive to your superb painting…I love the father’s face in the close-up…and the boy’s stance and preparedness to follow his Dad’s suggestion…I don’t see a date on this blog so…I don’t know if you have submitted yet or not…wish you all the best
Stan, I came across this painting somewhere and unfortunately I don’t remember where, but it stuck with me … because I just plain love the art and style and it was telling me a story. Way to go and thank you for your youtube lessons. I have saved them all and share them with artistic friends. Keep up your unselfish generosity in sharing of your skills and tallents. You are a good man.
I too paint but in acrylics for health reasons and I think I take myself far too seriously when it comes to my paintings.
Thanks again
Maybe you visited Gallery Russia in Scottsdale. That’s where it is right now.
Find no words to appreciate these art pieces. Simply superb.
Such a talent. Amazing, keep making magic.