For those of you who have been kind enough to comment on the Saint Kevin paintings, here are some preparatory drawings I made for the series.
Clive Hicks-Jenkins' Artlog:
views from the artist's studio.
For those of you who have been kind enough to comment on the Saint Kevin paintings, here are some preparatory drawings I made for the series.
Clive Hicks-Jenkins' Artlog: 
These are all such strong drawings, Clive. I think the third one is stunning – such a clever and engaging composition.
I’m so glad you’re publishing this blog. It’s fascinating to see the progress of a painting.
Thank you Philippa. Coming from such a fine painter that’s a compliment to be relished.
(See Blogroll for a link to Philippa’s website. If you click on the third icon at the top of her homepage, you’ll find an image of a painting titled Lamb. This beautiful work hangs here at Ty Isaf. We count ourselves very lucky to have it.)
I too love that first drawing, but as a drawing. To me, the rough, black-and-white sketch quality is part of the appeal, drawing attention to the forms aan distribution of space, and letting the imagination supply the presumably Mediterranean colors.
Yes I’d agree. It was made as part of the process of imagining the hermit’s cell and placing it in a setting that mirrored selected aspects of the garden here at Ty Isaf. (Though I acknowledge the far-from-Welsh Italianate tone.) I make loads of these little exploratory sketches as I think my way into my subjects. Afterwards I did quite a few depicting the saint inside the hermitage, but haven’t yet managed a painting that successfully utilises the ‘letterbox format’ of the sketches. (The format is one I occasionally enjoy using. But it’s not easy to master and I have many duds!)
clive,
i love the forms in the first one, i think it would be beautiful if it were to make it into a painting…it’s a different structure for you, but could be a lot of fun?
the third drawing has so much sensitivity, and the contrasts are really striking…it’s a beautiful piece, you should take it to the gallery as well!
i hope the construction has settled down enough to allow you some painting time, i really can’t wait to see some more of the saint francis painting!
It’s a difficult format to pull off well Zoe, but one I enjoy working in. I’d probably have to make significant changes to ensure that particular drawing worked as a painting. Maybe it would be better suited to something strong and monochrome, like a wood or lino block print.
And yes, all these drawings have been marked down for inclusion in the exhibition.