St. Guinefort the Greyhound. Revisited.
This is about 1,000 times better than the version I posted the other day. IMHO, this is another moment of hitting my stride.
Only trouble is that “my stride” seems to involve one of the slowest, most blindingly tedious mediums in all artdom: colored pencil.
Technically, this is mixed media, but mostly colored pencil, which means mostly hours spent scribbling layer upon layer to build up nuanced color and to fill spaces that a paintbrush could knock out in seconds. Most other artwork I’ve posted has taken two or three hours. This required the better part of two days.
Still, on this one I see only a few things I’d change. So I’m happy. Besides, I secretly like working with colored pencil, so even the tedium is fine.
The tech details: St. Guinefort, Revisited: 6″x8″, mixed media on cream-colored Stonehenge paper. (Underpainting of Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus watercolors, underdrawing of graphite pencil, colored pencil, areas overpainted with metallic gold acrylic and Pearl-Ex)
Oh. And don’t point out that there probably weren’t any green rattlesnakes in 13th century France. You do and I’ll whip out my Official Artistic License to prove I’m authorized to paint that snake any way I want it. Same deal applies should you happen to notice that the greyhound is both behind and in front of the “frame.” Deliberate choice for a change. Not a mistake. He’s a saint! He’s magical! He can do what he wants. Besides, religious art exists to depict the impossible.
And don’t point out…
Okay.
The fleurs-de-lis are a nice French detail. Light and life.
Love the use of light on the face, as if god is telling him who’s a good boy…
“And don’t point out…”
Thank you. 🙂 And for noticing the fleurs-de-lis, too.
Good dog!
Claire,
Totally cool!
One question, is the dog a Saint because he/she vanquished the devil snake or is that in my imagination? Of course, that’s what great art does, inspires the imagination, stimulates the emotions and makes one think. For me at least.
Good Dog look for sure, regardless. Nailed it.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Shel.
Thank you, Tahn. Guinefort became a highly unofficial saint for protecting an infant from a snake, then being unjustly martyred. His story (his legend, actually) is here:
http://asksistermarymartha.blogspot.com/2010/09/dog-person.html
Despite the Church’s attempts to suppress the St. Guinefort heresy, he was locally regarded as a saintly protector of children clear into the 20th century.
Thank you Claire,
Being raised a Methodist I was unaware of that legend but that was exactly the thought that leapt into my mind when I saw this, mostly because of the “I did good” look in St. Guinefort’s eyes and the dead look in the snakes. Wow.
If you had said so previously. please forgive my inattention.
“Besides, religious art exists to depict the impossible.”
Ain’t it the truth!
I like this more explanatory rendition. And the darker, richer coloring is beautiful, although I was thrown off at first by the lack of “greyness” in the greyhound.
Very good!
Well, apparently:
http://www.happygreyhound.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/official-greyhound-color-chart.jpg
Too obscure even for the recent quiz.
Thanks, larryarnold. Didn’t know the history of the name. Did know there were some variations in color, but generally the most “popular” is various shades of taupe – which has some grey in it.
“Too obscure even for the recent quiz.”
But GOOD, Larry. I had no idea. Thank you for filling our heads with even more educational trivia. And now I know that “my” Guinefort must be a fawn brindle.
Beautiful work, Claire. Your Matagarna is heavyweight stuff!
cute!