Elaine Kurie

New Jersey, USA, Resting, oil, 24 x 36" (61 x 91 cm)

My Inspiration

Sometimes spontaneity works best. After several sitting and standing poses my model took a break and rested awhile. As soon as I saw the natural and unplanned pose she relaxed into, I knew it was one I wanted to paint. There was also a tender, peaceful and psychologically vulnerable aspect to it as it contained qualities that were authentic, unselfconscious and free from pretense, and it seemed to offer a glimpse into her world. The light from my studio window was still bright enough to clearly reveal forms, but it was growing dim, lending an air of mystery to the scene.

My Design Strategy

Figure painting has become my favorite subject because it offers endless possibilities of expression. Plus, as a student of anatomy, I gained a deep sense of appreciation for the beauty and structure of the human form. As I paint, I keep in mind the interrelation of various parts and their function, and I constantly look for flexion, extension, tension and relaxation in the muscles, as well as in the overall composition.

The contrasts of tension and relaxation I seek in a composition were present here in several areas. The compression of her face resting on her hand contrasted with her extended foot, and the crumpled cloth under her knee contrasted with the relaxed folds of fabric falling toward the floor.

This design also corresponded to a degree with the principles of the Golden Rectangle: the model’s arm and shoulder falls near the vertical line that divides the Golden Rectangle into its two parts.

My Working Process

After making careful drawings from my photo reference, I continue to refine the drawing with raw umber paint thinned with OMS. When I’m satisfied with the drawing I let this layer dry. Next, I block-in the dark and middle values and finally the lighter values with slightly thicker paint on an area I think I can finish in a day. At the end of the painting session I blend the values together with a soft brush, being careful not to over blend, which can cause a loss of form. I save the highlights for last and

I paint them in several thin layers to prevent build-up.

Contact Details

Email: elaine@ekurie.com Website: www.elainekuriestudio.com