Art Center Information is proud to present the following: This is a pencil drawing that I did of a photograph of my father taken back in 1949 filling up a gas tank of the automobile we nick-named the “Old Woodie”.

I am slowly…but ever so slowly…and ever, ever so slowly painting an acrylic picture of this scene.  The photograph I have is a very small black and white.  I have hit Wikipedia to find a color photograph of both the wood-sided ford station wagon (or as we called them in those days, “panel trucks”) and the color of their gas pumps back in the 1940s.

It is sort of a neat nostalgic trip remembering those days.  I was only five years old at the time, had no television, and listened to The Red Rider Show, Little Orphan Annie, Superman, and Boston Blackie on the radio.

I guess it is the nostalgia that nags at me to finish this painting, that for whatever reason is one of those put-me-offs.  I have no aversions that it is a commercial work, but would like to finish it for myself. The painting will be 24″X36″ (as well as the pencil drawing above).

Here I am working on the pencil sketch.  I believe it is important to work out all the details and problems in a painting with pencil and paint sketches so when you are doing the finished painting, everything works out properly.  Of course, I am speaking of realistic paintings when I say this.  However, I find abstract, as fun and colorful as it can be, is better when planned with black and white drawings.  Then, of course, let loose and let the brilliant colors fly.

This was my third color sketch of my father.  It’s still not quite right and I’m sure I will make several more before attempting to call the painting correct.  It is the closest that I’ve done to being correct with the shadows and the color of the skin.  Remember, I have never attempted the tone of skin in acrylics.  A few times in watercolor, but not acrylics.  I’m not concerned.  I know me.  I know I will persist until I am satisfied.  Most of us artist (whether formerly taught, friend and family taught, or self taught) will work until we are satisfied, and I’m sure, most are like me….the greatest critic.

Here I have a blocked out section, starting to concentrate on my father’s face and image in the just right of center of the painting.  I need to work out everything with as much proper value and detail as possible in this area since it is the main focus. The reason, of course is because everything to the left and right will work against me in the painting if I’m not careful.

The red-orange pumps to the left of the main focus and the heaviness of the car can easily take away from the image of my father in the painting, so directional emphasis is important.  I think the gasoline hose and the color of the center cube will soften the punch and help in this matter.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my frustration as an artist here and this has been some art information you can appreciate.