I was so enchanted by Leslie’s people that I decided to give it a try too. They were fun and came out ok, until I added a background. How many people do you know who are as tall as a building? Clearly I need more practice in the people department.
Sometimes I wonder why I’m really not that interested in doing portraits or paintings of figures. I have come to the conclusion that it’s because I am surrounded by a crush of people all day long. I am pushed and pulled and squeezed and pressed on the subway. (And not in a good way.) I have people calling me and coming to see me at work all day long. And then when I go outside for lunch the streets are packed with people.
Today I was accosted by no less than 4 people in less than one block. ASPCA: Do I care about animals? Greenpeace: Would I want to sign a petition. Gulf Oil Spill: Can I help? I don’t remember what the 4th one was but all I wanted to do was get a sandwich and go back to my office. Give a girl a break!
A number of years ago (before caller ID) a friend and her family moved to a new town. It seemed like every night the phone rang during dinner. It was always a telemarketer. And every night her patient husband answered the phone and politely listened. Finally one night, the phone rang, as usual her husband answered and politely listened. She grabbed the phone and yelled “we’re not interested” and slammed the phone down. Her husband leveled a cool gaze at her and said “that was the pastor of the church we just joined.” Oops.
I did the figures above which looked ok. I needed to practice more.
So I did.
I did this one next. Which I liked much better. Only thing, you can’t see the person off to the side about to ask this person to sign a petition for Greenpeace.
Sigh.
33 comments
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July 17, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Kk2n777
I like both of them. The first one makes sense because of the low perspective but I really like the second one, very much like the artist Gideon Rubin that I collect who does not paint facial details. Good work! I truely believe that it is a …. (wait for it) …. Work of Art. 🙂
July 17, 2010 at 5:05 pm
CarolKing
LOL! I think I’ve either just been insulted or dealt a left handed compliment!
July 17, 2010 at 7:36 pm
christine
i would not tire of many more of these people. wonderful. thank you.
July 18, 2010 at 7:28 pm
CarolKing
I think I would not tire of these people either. There are more on the horizon. (Can you see them?)
July 17, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Alex Zonis
Hahaha! I loved the story about telemarketing. I laughed out loud and then read it my husband who laughed loud as well. Thank you for that!
Your figures are fine. Like Kk2n777 said they make perfect sense as the laws of perspective are concerned. The figure on the waterfront is pleasant and loose, very nicely done.
July 18, 2010 at 7:29 pm
CarolKing
Hi Alex, Glad you liked the story which is all true! Thanks for your comments on the figures. I need to practice these more. They were great fun.
July 17, 2010 at 10:38 pm
jimmyboi2
I like the bedraggled businessman in the top photo! I can feel his happiness at walking home on a plesant Friday afternoon after leaving the office early. His tie is loose and he’s already had a couple of cold, cold beers. Very well done… !
xoxox
July 18, 2010 at 7:29 pm
CarolKing
You’re writing stories about my people! Love it!
July 21, 2010 at 10:41 pm
jimmyboi2
OMGGG can you correct my spelling ?!?! I typed too fast… I am ashamed !!
July 18, 2010 at 10:23 am
lesliepaints
These people are awesome, Carol, and the guy in the foreground IS the right size like the others say. The girl in the bottom painting is beautiful. I like them equally well. Your little people have CHARACTER. We can now include people in our paintings! 🙂
July 18, 2010 at 7:31 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Leslie! If if wasn’t for your post I never would have tried these.
July 18, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Artswebshow
cool painting. lol. i actually understand about too many people.
It enough to turn anyone away from painting them,
lol
July 18, 2010 at 7:34 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Kokot. I’m sure you know how it feels when everyone in the restaurant and kitchen all want your attention.
July 18, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Bonnie Luria
Bah to concerns about proportion. You gave a charm to your people that doesn’t give any appearance of there being too many of them.
I can see more of these coming out of your brush. And if you were to consider painting more people, this is the way to do them, without trying to give them individual attention. Like the way you like to treat your employer.
Your last sentence made me laugh heartily.
People, people who paint people…………..
July 19, 2010 at 11:32 am
Beth Parker
Okay, I can now see your next new painting, Carol.
Picture this…. You, sitting cross legged on the floor, while a hundred little people …(with petitions and phones in their hands – painted in this beautiful new way)… swarm all over you, picking and pestering and generally annoying you. Wasn’t there a movie with a similar scene? Land of the Giants, maybe?
Perspective, Persmective…. your people are wonderful!! 🙂
July 19, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Donald Mills
I think you’re just ahead of your time.
I swear that the teenager next door is 11 feet tall and he’s barely out of highschool. I’m quite sure he’ll be as a tall as a 2-story house before long. Forget the laws of perspective – I’d say you’re a damned visionary.
I actually sort of envy you the crowds. I lived in the city (not quite as big as yours) a number of years back and enjoyed the pace and the crowds. I’d certainly pick busy streets over telemarketers any day of the week.
Lovely paintings Carol.
July 23, 2010 at 9:42 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Don,
“A damned visionary” I like that! I may moan about the crowds sometimes, but I do enjoy the city for the most part.
July 19, 2010 at 10:23 pm
jaybastian
Dynamite! They are right on anatomically speaking.
July 23, 2010 at 9:42 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Jay
July 21, 2010 at 10:24 pm
napabelle
Oh ! your people are wonderful ! they really look like people ! and not too fussy ! Well don e!
July 23, 2010 at 9:43 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Isabelle, I need to do more. I like them not to fussy.
July 22, 2010 at 6:38 am
CathyG
Love these little people paintings (having just wrecked a painting putting in a background, I sympathise!) and I enjoyed the link to Leslie’s work too – coincidentally I have signed up for a workshop next April with Don Andrews who did this exercise with Leslie! Love the story too – you always give me a lift 🙂
July 23, 2010 at 9:44 pm
CarolKing
A Don Andrews workshop! Lucky you. Didn’t you recently take a Hazel Soan workshop? I remember seeing your posts about them. Can’t wait to hear all about this workshop and see your fabulous results.
July 22, 2010 at 10:52 am
asmalltowndad
These are great Carol, I haven’t given it try yet, but it is something I need to do. You and Leslie are always stepping over the horizon and trying new things, something I need to do more of.
July 23, 2010 at 9:44 pm
CarolKing
Ryan, you are always trying new things! You have so many kinds of paintings and drawings on your blog.
July 24, 2010 at 1:51 pm
lesliepaints
May I be so bold as to insert, here, that that is why I continue to follow Ryan, also?
July 24, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Jala Pfaff
Oh, I love your little (oddly tall) people!
July 25, 2010 at 10:01 am
Stephen
I like the painting of all the people going about their business – I think the shapes and sizes are non-issues. What I really like is the colours you use. or maybe that should be ‘are’ – I love the blue building in the distance and that lovely dark red and blue wall
July 25, 2010 at 3:24 pm
wrjones
These are cool little watercolor sketches. Keep doing them and you will get more aware of relative heights of people/buildings. I didn’t think about it looking at your painting until I read the words. It is possible for the person to look as tall or taller than a building if the person is close and building far away. Pay more attention to this on those hot walks.
Walk holding a pencil out in front of you checking relative heights of everything. It will be good practice so you will be able to quickly sigh autographs when the rest of the world discovers your work.
July 25, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Francis
I think the first painting looks fine with me, i can imagine the buidings are way further which make the people looks like giant. I really like the second painting, i guess he/she is enjoying the peaceful scenery. Yeah, i get what u mean about too much of people. I sometimes also feel the same, but that is life living in the cities and that is why i like to stay home even during weekends.
August 1, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Thank You Gracias « Carol King: Painting, Drawing, Complaining
[…] to this image because of the slope of his body as he plays his lonely tune. I tried out my new technique of putting in some people in the background. Turns out they are fat. […]
August 25, 2010 at 6:39 pm
northpenninegallery
Carol, Your work is stunning. I love the chair painting and the hens, but the people are fabulous. I need to visit your site much more often. You have a special talent, please keep posting.
Best
Keith
September 3, 2010 at 11:01 am
noelkleindrawing
I really like this one. It is really nice on the eyes.