Reflections on the painting of 'The Opinion of the Model'

Having re-painted the original earth colour charcoal pencil drawing of Charles Bargue's drawing...

(with a little contemporary twist to the composition, only very loosely inspired by the artist John Currin, where instead of the Model looking at work on an easel, my version has the model in exactly the same pose, but standing in front of a bed.  Hence my slight nod of respect to early Currin, although I don't have any desire to create the near pornographic images that his later style has followed.  My view of these later paintings by Currin, unfortunately is that he's just wanting to make a quick buck, and it seems, that these later works might command a higher value for him and hence sale price, for their titillation rather than artistic merit), I repainted it today for the third time.  This was after going back to the 6' x 4' foot version and attempting to re-work it with more subtle mixes of burnt umber and ultramarine to make a near black mix, and then progressively adding white to get the grey I wanted.... But I don't feel that it worked.

I am still too concerned with the large painting having the right lines, but by choosing to use a large 3" house brush, the outlines have become too obvious and are not enhancing the tonality or material form of the subject.  By going over the dark outlines of the first attempt, trying to make them less bold, has just muddled the paint / drawing I think.   If I were to compare it with some of the great master's works that I'm looking at as source material, then clearly, the results are way-off.   However, in my defence, my intent was to use the original master sources to use as model templates, and when combined with a contemporary approach to paint-drawing on a very large scale, the exercise was to help me loosen up my style, which to some level these exercises have achieved.

In the next painting of the Opinion of the Model, I've moved back to a smaller scale of A0 or 3' x 2' approximately.  This is just for ease of storage and to experiment more than any other reason, although I have put a large 4'x6' Fabriano paper on my studio wall in preparation for the next painting....

So to summarise, the next paint-drawing of Bargue's "Opinion of the Model" - at the A0 size, was done with form in mind, rather than outline.  I've continued to use acrylics, although these are not the best medium for trying to replicate or represent 'form', as they appear to me to be very flat.  Whether that effect is because of the medium or because of my own lack of ability, - I am not certain.  I want to keep practicing in this medium of acrylics though as I want to improve my abilities in their use.

Overall, I think the effect is a little more pleasing on this third attempt, there is a better 3 dimensional illusion, but I have overworked the piece again somewhat.  Particularly the shoulder and back of the model, which might be better removed and re-highlighted for an improved result.  I will need to be careful that I don't overwork this version also.