Soutine Painting

These are the tests am i doing in preparation for tackling my final response to the Soutine painting from the Carcuss Series, pictured here. Laura said we could tackle the painting either concentrating on tone, colour, line, texture or shape; i decided to do about four or so tests to determine what was working and what wasn't.

This one here, i used burnt umber to respond tonally to the piece. Also using a viewfinder have cut down the image to what i have painted here, as i didn't like the piece as a whole but still feel that there is more than enough information in this reduced version to still understand the painting and what the imagery conveys. I think that this tonal piece worked well, but i found it hard using tone in just one colour.


These pieces above are responses in colour; i just concentrated using the colours to create the depth and tone in the original piece.

This painting here, was a line response, using only line to create the tone and depth of the painting. I found i liked representing the piece in line and definitely want to use colour as well for the final piece.

My thoughts on this piece, is that i'm not sure i like it as a painting, firstly the subject matter is quite grotesque, it's not like i am disgusted by it or anything, i just wouldnt want it on my wall. The palette is limited and quite dull, it is just not a painting that brings me any interest or joy. I do think it has strong imagery, and a definate theme to it, and the darker background really emphasises the shape of the carcuss and brings out the colours in the head of the calf.
To be honest i cant really relate to this painting, this is not what i would ever choose to paint, given the choice, i personally like to be quite realistic with my painting and this style of painting, quiet gestural, with the brush strokes showing doesnt appeal to me, maybe on a different subject but definately not this.

When i have been responding to this piece, initially in the class i was more trying to copy it rather than respond and i know sometimes that this is a problem for me, but choosing to use line, or scale or tone as a certain aspect to concentrate on really helps as you tend to concentrate on the formal property rather than trying to do a mark for mark perfect copy.