Figure study 12

oil on linen, 12 x 8 inches

I just came back from a figure drawing and painting workshop. This was my first official painting workshop so I didnt really know what to expect. But I met some really nice people and had a blast. We spent the weekend studying anatomy and proportions and ended with a three hour pose doing an oil painting.
I am thinking about starting a figure painting group. Anyone interested ? you would have to come to iceland once a week :)

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Comment by Britt Greenland on November 11, 2013 at 5:40: Ann and Borgrimur, thank you both for giving me your answers. I hope more people will jump in because it's a worthy topic. I'm certain that even if I'm the most confused by it, there are others who are at least a little confused. Ann, vulnerability is so difficult and so necessary, you are correct. 2 years ago, I wouldn't dream of asking anyone for honest feedback about my art, but now I see that truth and vulnerability are necessary for becoming not only a better artist, but a more healthy person.

Borgrimur, I'm glad you are loving the conversation! I have to tell you I felt horrible immediately after I wrote the first comment, but I'm leaving it for others who come to the conversation. It's important to see that even ugly mistakes can teach us something if we stop to ask "why" as you so graciously did. (same with painting, of course)

Comment by Þorgrímur Andri Einarsson on November 10, 2013 at 0:57: Britt, thank you for clarifying and for your honest answer. To be honest I was a little offended by your initial response to my painting. But I now understand where you are coming from and I appreciate your feedback.

I have to say though that I completely disagree with you that when a man paints a woman in the nude that he is objectifying her as good for nothing else. I think the human body, male or female is beautiful, and it is a worthy subject to study by anyone.

For me this painting is all about the mood, and her mood in particular, and the patterns of light and shadow. I am not sure what she was feeling at the time, but I am delighted to see that I was able to interpret a definet mood of some sort. The viewer of the painting will then put their meaning into her pose and body language.

I have to say that I am loving this discussion. It has raised some though questions. I think the next figure study I do will be a male nude :)

Comment by Ann Turner on November 9, 2013 at 11:18: Hugs to you Britt. We are all a product of our experience and the emotions we carry. Your honest answer and vulnerability will help you to heal. As to my feelings concerning nude figure painting, I find that I appreciate the subject being tastefully done. I am not offended by this painting, the shape of the female form is beautiful. I am more intrigued by the emotion that Borgrimur has expressed in this painting. She seems to be dealing with some deep emotion, She has her head down but she is still holding on to the support with her arms and legs. What emotion did you want the figure to express ? And one more thing,it seems very appropriate that a healthy young man enjoys painting the figure of a young woman. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Comment by Britt Greenland on November 9, 2013 at 8:37: I am offended by this, but I don't know if it IS offensive. My apologies to those who read and were offended or confused by my comment. I don't often have a good sense of what is normal and healthy vs. offensive and objectifying. I was abused by my father as a child in the name of male superiority. From my point of view, showing only the nakedness of a person takes away from her or him as a whole person. Most countries don't allow people to walk around naked in public. Especially when I see a man paint a nude young woman, I feel the artist is saying "her body is all she is good for". That is the honest answer, the vulnerable answer for me. Please accept my apologies, artist friends. Instead of making a passive aggressive comment, I should have dealt with my feelings in a private constructive manner. I would love to learn what healthy people who had good enough parents think about these things, and sometimes that helps me navigate what is true and what is my contorted image of things.

Comment by Þorgrímur Andri Einarsson on November 8, 2013 at 21:31: Thanks for the comments guys.

Ann, I am sorry to have mislead you with my writing. This is not the three hour pose. My attempt in the three hour pose kind of faled. This is done from a photograph after the workshop, but I was still energized from the weekend. And no she was not in pain :)

Britt, I am not really sure what to make of your comment. Are you offended by this picture in any way ?

Comment by Britt Greenland on November 8, 2013 at 12:50: I think men who have low self-esteem will especially feel empowered by the weak arms and large breasts! ; )

Comment by Jan Kooiman on November 2, 2013 at 11:45: Intriging and very good

Comment by George on November 2, 2013 at 10:31: If I wil not argue about the composition, the figurative movment is perfect. Art has no limits when it comes about ideas and imagination. Painters/artist can and have the legitimate right to express thouths and ideas.

Comment by Ann Turner on November 1, 2013 at 16:46: She is a beautiful figure but looks like she is in pain. Did you have her sit on the top of a stove pipe for 3 hours ? Oh my aching -------!

Comment by Manneherrin on November 1, 2013 at 11:09: wow.. she is absolutely gorgeous.. the proportions are anatomically correct except for her right arm. It appears to not have a tricep. Other than that a superb color study