Neal’s Hats Painting demo Part 1

I recently was re-acquainted with a friend from high school on Facebook. Looking through his photos, I came across this picture of his hat rack. I thought the arrangement makes an interesting composition, and decided to paint from his picture. I probably should get his permission – but – somehow I don’t think he would mind. For this painting, I am using a 36 X 48 inch gallery wrapped canvas. I like working big and this composition is just the right proportion for this size canvas, making the hats just a little larger than lifesize.

Step 1 -  Sometimes I grid my canvas and drawing to get as accurate placement possible, and other times I freehand which I have done here. I draw my image with large graphite sticks. Once I have my arrangement, I’ll outline with black gesso, and this gives the painting more of a sense of illustration.

Step 2 -  I applied a wash of thinned Holbein’s Blue Grey oil paint on the background. Layers of color will be added as I continue.

Step 3 -  Again, I applied a wash of Holbein’s Monochrome Tint to the hats. In the morning I’ll study this with my coffee, and may decide to add a second wash to both background and hats. After that – the real fun begins!

- Mark

New Painting Series: North Side

North Side                                                                            Mark Scantling

I will be showing one painting from this series entitled “North Side” at this years Preservation is the Art of the City art show, in September.This annual show at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, is presented by Historic Fort Worth, Inc. Proceeds from art sales help HFW provide community awareness programs that highlight historically and culturally significant homes and businesses in the area.

[Back Story] The name of my series  is from the largely Hispanic neighborhood near Fort Worth’s Stockyards. One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, it is also one of the poorest. North Side has been in economic decline for several decades, but a closer look reveals many of it’s residents are working hard, remodeling their homes and landscaping their lawns.  25th Street is one of the major areas of commerce on the North Side. Many of it’s businesses like the Azle Theater, have long been closed,  but several continue to serve the residents. Lean economic times are nothing new here. North Side has problems, more that some other areas of the city, but it hangs on by it’s roots -  hard-working people, with a long cultural heritage, a deep sense of family values, and community pride.

-Mark

And now, for something completely different -

No.310, 2009, Acrylic and ink silk-screened on shaped panel. M Scantling

In 1979, during the full bloom of the Southwestern Art craze, I painted a small series of Chief’s Blanket designs on large shaped canvases. Although I was pleased with the paintings, I always felt I should have expanded the series, and explored the idea further. No.310 marks my return to the skewed canvas after 30 years. I like how the shape of the support changes the perception of the work as a whole – adding another dimension to the composition. I think this is going to be fun.

-Mark.