Chip Figurative Artist - Blog

Degas & the Nude

Chip — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:30:50 +0000

I have spent a lot of time looking at the works of Edward Degas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art here in NYC at one time had 2 whole rooms of his work. The rooms have unfortunately since changed. I remember the first time I walked into those rooms. I was enthralled by, and in awe of, the energy and passion with which Degas so eloquently captured the figure. I was just 16 and I made a decision at that point that I wanted nothing else in life if not to spend it with such energy, passion and enthusiasm for drawing & painting the figure.

I recently had the incredible pleasure of viewing the ‘Degas & the Nude’ exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’. Now on display at the Musee d’Orsay in France. It was simply one of the best, and my very favorite exhibits I have seen in my lifetime. Of course being a figurative artist and Degas being one of my most liked artists, makes me a little, ok a lot biased!

It was the single greatest collection of his work I had ever seen in one place. Everything from his preparatory drawings, to his prints and finished pastels.

I am intrigued at how as I grow older viewing a particular artists work in person time and time again different things stand out to me at different times in my life even when viewing the same works. While I noticed many things on this particular visit mostly I noted and studied Degas use of different papers, materials and methods. Degas at times combined printmaking and pastel with beautiful elegance. He worked on many different types of paper and with many mediums. He often layered his materials to achieve complex, beautiful effects. His proficiency over materials is absolutely stunning. Degas mastered the flow of passion and energy to paper. He communicates his feelings with the precision of a linguist who effortlessly commands words. Something I tirelessly strive for.

Olive & Ida’s Summer Barbeque – Olive Study

Chip — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:06:16 +0000

Did some more work today for “Olive & Ida’s Summer Barbecue”. I Moved Olive to better paper and cleaned her up some. Still a few tweaks before she’s ready for the finished piece but she’s coming along nicely.

Study for “Betsy Ross”

Chip — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:29:31 +0000

A study for “Betsy Ross”

Early Pastel

Chip — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:32:23 +0000

A earlier pastel of mine

Valley of the Dolls – Tree Study

Chip — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:17:30 +0000

Tree study for “Valley of the Dolls”

Mary Ann and the Tree By the River – Tree Study

Chip — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:37:43 +0000

Tree study for “Mary Ann and the Tree By the River”

Keila’s Overdue Library Books

Chip — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:13:22 +0000

Valley of the Dolls Ink Studies

Chip — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:22:34 +0000

Bamboo & ink on watercolor paper

Calligraphy pen & ink on watercolor paper

Brush & ink on drawing paper

Did some ink studies for “Valley of the Dolls” today. It was fun working in ink again, as it had been a long while. Due to my love affair with the pencils I use I tend to neglect other mediums for long spells. I love working with ink though, its a very expressive and bold medium. Will try to work some more ink studies for this piece. I am happy with a few things that came out in the clouds and tree for these. Small, simple, quick but successful studies.

Olive Hates Her Kitchen Wallpaper – Final

Chip — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:39:49 +0000

Finished working on “Olive Hates Her Kitchen Wallpaper” today. Think I’m done with it for now. Don’t have any plans to paint it or develop it into something else. Of course that may change.

You can buy this original drawing from my online store

Olive’s Wallpaper

Chip — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:04:13 +0000

Now that Olive is a little more developed I decided to take another run at “Olive Hates Her Kitchen Wallpaper”. Still more work to go on it but I think its a big improvement.