Tuesday 31 May 2011

Figure in Oil

Tempted, Oil on Canvas 30" x 20"

"The butterfly flapped her wings and on the other side of the world, lives were devastated"

2 comments:

John Salmon said...

This is a good figure painting Samantha. I get the impression you let yourself go on this painting. The brushstrokes are looser and overall it is less detailed than some of your previous paintings.

The tiny green device in her left hand provides a contrast to the skin tones and makes them glow. That device has set up a feeling of mystery for me. Is it a leaf, a flower, a pill bottle? I don't know.

I'm very "Tempted" to ask but it would take away the mystery, and because the mystery adds to the charm of the painting, I don't want to know.

The reference to the butterfly deepens the mystery further. I think you are playing with the viewer and tickling the grey cells which makes this painting work on many different levels. I like.

Samantha Anne Hutchinson said...

Thank you John. I am quite pleased with the outcome. I wanted to keep it as loose as possible but still managed to spend far too much time on it. I aimed for a painting that feels a little uncomfortable by using colder lights, awkward composition and an attempt to keep it interesting. I could have added one or two final strokes that would have told the viewer what it is she is clutching, but no, the colour makes it focal point enough. Thanks for your kind comments John :)