Saturday, January 7, 2012

About syncing music and picture...


I was first introduced to Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition during freshman year at music school. The concept of scoring a visit to an art show was something very intriguing and interesting to me. As an aspiring composer and a visual artist, this experience opened a door to many possibilities, where both visual and audio media intertwine and influence each other.

I have always scored music to motion picture, never to a still. And while I always listen to music while I'm painting, a piece of music has never compelled me to paint something that specifically relates (at least in my mind) to it, even though the concept has been lurking around my head for a while.


Daydreamer, Digital Pastel, 2012

I always thought that I would eventually write a piece of music that will call for a visual counterpart. Imagine my surprise when it was someone else's remarkable score that triggered in me an almost physical urge to paint.

While trying to capture someone else's vision for an illustration, I decided to listen to some scores that will steer me in the right direction. I nailed it on the first try and went with Hans Zimmer's score for Inception.

Of all the cues in the recording, there was one that stood up. It's simply called "Time".

I'm leaving this a little open in the hopes to revisit the topic in the near future. Until then, look at the painting, listen to the music and tell me what you think!



Friday, December 16, 2011

Sky Etude 2

I like where this is going! I'm loving the dry on dry bristle brush thing I'm starting with these sky etudes. Believe or not, this is from the same sunset at the pier. Let's see how many more of these I can produce...

Sky Etude, Oil on Wood, 6 x 6 in., 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Row of Cherries

It took me the longest time to figure out a composition for these cherries, mostly because I kept eating them! They were so delicious!!!

In all seriousness, I managed to get a better lighting for these ones and kept a good ratio of light and dark tones. I especially love how the skin of a cherry can reflect so much light. These almost look like Christmas ornaments, which is quite fitting I would say. And their lovely dark red color makes it all better.


Row of Cherries, Oil on Wood, 6 x 6 in., 2011

For a step by step demonstration of this and other paintings, please CLICK HERE!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Gala Apple 3: Demonstration

I figured I should shoot pictures of the process for at least one of these "Apple" paintings, just in case anybody out there is interested. I have been painting these on some new wood panels I bought recently. The main difference between these and the old ones and that these are raw wood and I take care of the priming, which I like in this context.

For this and more step by step painting demonstrations, visit my Facebook Page!












Gala Apple, Oil on Wood, 6 x 6 in., 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Sky Etude


The sky is always on the background. It's kind of a given. Well, not anymore! I have not painted many skies before (I wonder why) and one day I just took my camera and started shooting this gorgeous sunset down at the Santa Monica Pier. I found myself forgetting the horizon, the sea, the land altogether! The sky was just too beautiful!!!


Sky Etude, Oil on Wood, 6 x 6 in., 2011

I wanted to paint this one in one sitting, but it was pretty evident right from the start than this painting would benefit more from a layered approach. In the future, I will pace myself and let these little paintings cook slowly. I use layers all the time with acrylics, but it's been a while since I painted this way with oils. I see a new mini series of paintings in the horizon!