Sunday, December 16, 2018

Painting a Cellist


The music department of Bard College presented its Winter Songfest last night. My wife is a member of the Symphonic Chorus, so I was able to tag along to one of the rehearsals.


I painted a cellist in the conservatory orchestra. I use a small palette of gouache: white, black, yellow ochre, light red, and ultramarine blue. 


The gouache allows for a few corrections and adjustments that aren't possible in plain watercolor. I'm holding everything in my lap, and am being extremely neat and careful. 


Above is a video (link), so you can see the work in progress. Starting with a pencil and transparent washes, I cover the surface with tones. Halfway through I have second thoughts about the warm-colored background, so I change it to light and cool using opaques.
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You can also see this video on my Instagram post.

Previously posts about sketching at concerts:
James Bagwell Conducts
Maestro Bagwell
James Bagwell at a Rehearsal
The "Flash-Glance" Method
Gouache portrait of an Irish whistle player
Sketching a vocal concert
Violinist in ink wash
Horn Player
Mirko Listening
Club Passim Gig
Shapewelding Sketching
The Cello and the Pencil
Concertgoer
Mass in C
Handel's Messiah

2 comments:

  1. James-
    As usual, you are an inspiration!
    Not to dismiss the fine sketch under less than optimal conditions... How did you get those shots!
    Have you jury-rigged some kind of 'Steam-Punk' helmet-w-a-camera that you are wearing AND sketching thru?! or do you have an AI drone hovering over your shoulder? -RQ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Mr Gurney
    I've been using Holbein Acryla Gouache a lot recently, and it made me wonder.. Is there anything I can add to regular gouache to give it the same drying properties of acryla gouache?

    ReplyDelete

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