Continuing to experiment with generative AI (Midjourney) to help with inspiration and create compositions that I then paint in oils. Generative AI can generate surprising connections between themes and images that I suggest as inputs. I am still learning how to create the most useful prompts that affect the quality and direction of the lighting, the degree of detail, suggesting the most appropriate style (e.g. “an oil painting, in the style of …..(such and such a painter)…., of a nineteenth century Dutch woman in a grassy field, petting a fox, chiaroscuro lighting, moody sky, detailed facial expression, symmetrical eyes.” And then variations on the theme, editing components of the generated image.
Also forcing myself to spend more time on the details. I enjoy portraiture but often don’t have the patience for figurative work and all of the detailing that’s involved. Most of my paintings are completed in two or three short sessions. This one took at least six and is at least twice the size of most of my paintings. I’m not happy with the coarseness of some of the features — the fox is unintentionally “expressive” and the form shadows of the clothing are lacking depth. But I guess it’s a step in the right direction. Still learning ….
Our home in Stockbridge, MA is frequently visited by foxes and other wild animals. We could never hold a fox but we consider them almost part of our family.
