Bargue # 3 - The Belvedere Torso

  Bargue #3

graphite on Stonehenge paper

© Nicki Ault, 2014

My new motto: "Keep Calm and Bargue On".

I had a great day at Atelier 2302 yesterday. The real deal is underway on the Stonehenge paper. This is the point where, with every hour spent, the fear of something bad happening increases exponentially. I now have the light and dark shapes separated and a nice, even, homogenous tone in the shadow shapes. I really enjoy the next stage which will be to describe and refine the shadow shape and big-form model in the light shapes. At first I felt really nervous about that six-pack, but then I decided that if I pulled off the beard in Bargue #2, then I can surely do this.

I found this video on YouTube- footage of the Belvedere Torso in the Vatican Museum. It's not the greatest quality, however it is interesting to see the sculpture to scale and as a three dimensional object. I now understand the markings a bit better in my drawing (i.e. the hole on his right thigh). To learn more about this sculpture go to this link: The Belvedere Torso.

In other news, I have been to the studio a little bit and it is beginning to feel good again. I am tackling a really big painting right out of the gates, so all going well I will have that to show you soon. It is 30 x 60" and has some challenging subject matter in it.

Have a great weekend!