Rubens Study #1
Oil on canvas panel 24cm x 30cm (2022)
This study was done right after the “Norseman Portrait Study” which showed me issues with control of skin tones. With the Rubens study, I aimed to better my colour theory by using the same methods as the master Rubens and to understand his capabilities.
During this study, I made some major mistakes:
I had ignored and rushed through the drafting phase, mentally fixated on getting to the color phase to learn. There is no shame in not caring about a specific aspect of a painting when doing targeted practice paintings. But I could have instead rushed that by using tracing and end-up with a more presentable end work. Here you can find a blog post about: “To trace or not to trace?”
At the time I painted this, I did not know the importance of the painting surface being prepped ahead. I had painted all prima, impressionist, and other thicker paint methods until then. I was trying, for the first time, methods of old masters which utilized significantly thinner paint and showed the canvas texture. I did not expect the canvas grit to come off so strongly. After this painting, I ended up studying canvas prep methods for almost a month.
As many beginners do, I overemphasized saturation and value differences, exaggerated contrast. Which led me to lose control of my textures and gave my painting a cartoonish feeling.
It was a piece that teaches me multiple new skills at once and significantly increased my skill potential. I had discovered how to take skin colors under control and the potential I already held for texture. With all its flaws, I will forever cherish it.
