Trying to get back into drawing and figured mushrooms would be a fun and non-intimidating subject to explore. So many varieties and a lot of opportunities to stylize them!
This is my first attempt at traditional egg tempera painting. The panel is a Masonite board from Michaels, but I need to use true gesso because the egg tempera will not adhere to acrylic gesso. Some of my favorite artists used egg tempera. Andrew Wyeth, Robert Vickrey, and Colin Fraser are all masters of this ancient and archival medium. I have been self studying this technique for months and I was very excited to start experiencing the medium. Egg tempera is like layering stained glass on top of stained glass. the painter can expect a luminous glow to take shape as the colors blend visually through the layers of paint - assisted by the chalk of the true gesso. Egg tempera has been described as the closest painting technique to drawing, hence my draw to this medium.
Unexpected Visitor
This color sketch was done for a pumpkin carving design I did for the Chadds Ford Historical Society Great Pumpkin Carving contest. The sketch is a a lot more impressive then what you can see here ,unfortunately when the picture was scanned ,The Kinkos sale person chopped half of the image that shows the hands, one point at you, and the other holding the sickle,and the flowing rope hanging off the Grim Reaper's arms. I spent a couple of week just studying skeleton to do this sketch. I was Inspire to do this design by the thought that came across my mine about death. We are like helpless babies playing Peek A Boo when it come to our knowledge of the time death will drop by to pick us off. Some people who are terminally ill and are told by the doctor they have only a couple of days to live,must feel like the Grim Reaper is sitting right in front of them with his face hidden behind his hands, and when you lest expected he opens his hand like to great door turning on their hinges to open up to reveal him sticks his face in their's and shrieking ,"Peek A Boo," and followed by a hideous laugh .
Stephen J.Vattimo July 19, 2012
Jesus And Peter On The Water
Medium: Pen And Ink On sketch Book Paper
Size: 12" X 18"
Date Completed: 9/ 22/15
This study is for an upcoming paint about the life of Christ.
The drawling it's self took about two week time of working on it off and on. The research stage took about two months. This study is attempt to capture spirit of being out on the water walking with Jesus during a storm on the sea of Galilee. I hope the viewer can feel Peter anxiety as he is sinking in to the lake as fierce storm drain peter faith in his ability to walk on water through the ability the lord gave him. I wanted to show how compassionate Jesus is to quickly crouch down to rescue peter from drawing and get him back to the safety of the boat with the rest of the disciples, which is outside of the illustration..
Some people feel that i should have Jesus feet visible above the water,so people don't get the notion that Jesus is sinking in the water too. But if I do that it would alter what it would really look like in the natural world ,because even if Jesus's feet were on top of the water this might not be visible to the viewer because the waves in front of Jesus might block the view of his feet.
This illustration make think about the time we have all tried to do a task that the lord has call us to, but we have tried to accomplish the task depending on our own strength in stead of the strength of the holy Spirit. Then we Find our self sinking instead of making head way and we have to call on the Lord to rescue us and put us back on the right track.
Written By Stephen J. Vattimo
Sept 22,2015
Whenever i hear the word 'graphic' on the news, my mind goes to art rather than the abrupt visual they feel needs a warning [Which i guess is a courtesy for some folks who just might not be able to handle such a site & prefer to look away.] Well, luckily, I'm not Pollyanna about this... As a creative, it is nearly impossible to hear that word 'graphic' & not flex my creative muscle & treat it w an alternative visual thot... 24/6! [I take Sundays off.] I was never fortunate enuf to attend college or to study graphic arts. But I actually think that this is a skill & craft of immense talent. To create aesthetic colors & shapes & beauty & what seems like using the most simplistic of techniques yet w the greatest of impact is simply mesmerizing to me. Why that color? Why that shape? & yet... it works!!!! So here is my attempt to simulate such a masterful profession but w a bit of humor.
