The painting titled 'iDeath', by Czech artist Michal Ozibko.
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| Ozibko's painting is of his university classmate called Jana aged 23 years. Ozibko posed her with iPod earphones to show how young people often appear closed off to the world. Ozibko and Jana were not close friends, perhaps allowing him the opportunity to create an unbiased persona. Although not voted outright winner by BP, this painting was voted winner by public vote at The National Portrait Gallery, London in 2010. |
I voted Ozibko’s iDeath painting as winner too, however the title 'iDeath' did confuse me before doing research. Located on the far corner of a long gallery, it's size and brightly painted forehead grabbed my attention from the moment it was first sighted. Close up the viewer's eyes are level with the forehead giving a surreal feeling of itimacy. After reading the title I first wondered if the subject is alive or dead? Is the sitter wearing makeup? The artist has magnificently captured pure living beauty in every detail. My eyes wandered above and below the hairline forever and I returned to this painting 3 times before finally leaving the gallery with this amazing image challenging my photographic eye beyond imagination. Where is the synergy between photo and painting I wondered......and to answer this question I decided to study the old masters of oils. |
The question I needed to answer was: What would I learn if I tried to paint in oils? I had never painted before, and could not draw people. Could I change the 'eye of a photographer' into the 'eye of a painter'? Here is my progress since Sept 2010 when I first bought paints, books and tried to copy iDeath as a learning project.
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I started in earnest Jan 2011 based on free tutorials at ArtPapa.net and after buying "How To Paint Like The Old Masters" by Joseph Sheppard. I decided to follow the seven layer method and learn-as-I-go.
BELOW: Ink drawing on canvas with Imprimatura layer, 1st and 2nd Umbra layers.
   Jan 2011
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BELOW: 3rd Umbra layer including checks on symetry.
   March 2011
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BELOW: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dead layer. (great difficulty with nose)
   June 2011
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BELOW: 1st colourings commenced July 2011
  Oct 2011 - (note: sadly in Jan 2013 I abandon this project.) |
