Beginning a Study of an Old Woman

 This week I began work on a new oil sketch of an old woman over a previous (unsuccessful) self portrait on a 10 x 8" canvas.

(above) Flipping the prior self portrait study upside down, I roughed in a compositional grid to help in locating the portrait sketch in the center of the canvas.

(above) I completed "day 1" work by filling in the dark background tone, which will help to work in the light masses when this is dry.

(above) This afternoon I began by working in the light masses, particularly on the left side of the portrait, then beginning to find more half tones in the shadow mass on the right.  In the coming stages, this region will become significantly darker.

Join me for a Portrait Painting Workshop December 6th!

Join me for a Portrait Painting Workshop December 6th, 2025 at the York Art Association!

This intensive workshop introduces the process of composing, blocking, and rendering portrait paintings from observation. Oil painting principles covered in this workshop include color theory, tonal development, and form resolution utilizing a traditional academic “flesh” or “limited” palette.  The workshop is recommended for students with intermediate drawing ability, ages 18 – up.  This day-long workshop will begin at 9 AM and end at 4 PM, with a 1 hour lunch break.

Pricing and sign-up information is forthcoming, please visit the York Art Association website for details or email me at studiordw@gmail.com with any questions.

Motif Sketching: From Biblical to Post-Apocalyptic

(Above) Return of the Prodigal Son (Motif Sketch), graphite

Resuming my look at some classic Biblical and mythological subjects, I recently sketched the return of the prodigal son, a story so beautifully interpreted by Rembrandt.  I was thinking primarily of light as I worked up the drawing, using it to highlight the embrace of the father and son, and the jealously of the brother.

(above) Rembrandt, The Return of the Prodigal Son, 1661 - 1669

(Above) A Clear Path (Motif Sketch),graphite

Other recent motif sketches are original story inventions situated in a violent post-apocalyptic world.  For "A Clear Path", I wanted to use the vertical orientation of the pictorial space to lead the viewer through the story from the top, with a lead scout giving an "all clear", to the secondary man guarding some women who are tending to a child.

Current Exhibitions

 

(above) Study of an Old Man in the Nerdrum Clan exhibition in Larvik, Norway.  Photo by Bork Nerdrum.

The Nerdrum Clan exhibition at the Grand Quarter Hotel in Larvik, Norway is on view through August 23, 2025.  The exhibitors are represented by Pinakoteket Gallery and come from all over the world, and most of them have been apprenticed to Odd Nerdrum.  The show remains open 11:00 to 16:00 Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays.

(above) Spiral, pictured near center, in the "Sounds of Summer" exhibition at the York Art Association.

The "Sounds of Summer" exhibition remains on view through September 8th.  It is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3 PM and Sundays 2 to 4 PM at the York Art Association at 220 S. Marshall Street, York, PA 17402.

Beginning work on "Judith"

Recently I've been sketching my takes on some religious and mythical subjects.  I was always fascinated with the various takes on the Biblical story of Judith, the widow who used her charms to infiltrate an enemy force to take out its general.  Some favorite versions by prior masters include...

(above) Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith and the Head of Holofernes, cir. 1615

(above) Caravaggio, Judith beheading Holofernes, 1598 - 1599

My first sketch has a decidedly heroic take on Judith, as she's standing almost Frank Frazetta-like after conquering Holofernes, but I'm aiming to tamp-down the drama as the canvas progresses.  I always figure I'd rather begin work with something "exciting" and need to tone it down rather than trying to inject excitement into a dull subject.

(above) Judith (motif sketch), graphite

I posed my mannequin in the studio and set to work on the drapery studies on paper and on a 24 x 18" canvas.

(above) Drapery Study for "Judith", graphite heightened with white

(above) Studio photo with Judith work in production on a 24 x 18" canvas.

Watch for upcoming installments here where I'll provide an update on my progress with this painting!

Cheers,

Robert