I started painting these big heads in April 2016. By big, I mean 3’ x 4’. Having created several portraits using charcoal, I wanted to challenge my creative process by painting on a larger scale an dry limiting my color palette to black and white.
Jimi Hendrix was the first in the series (4th in order on the left). It was my first venture in using acrylic on canvas and the first portrait using any medium at this scale. I definitely struggled getting used to acrylic, but I enjoyed the process enough to continue painting in this way.
The first 2 or 3 in the series were painted on a black canvas, the reverse of the usual process of adding dark tones on white or grey. I now paint a mid grey as a base layer and move from that to blacks and whites.
Painting this size also shifted the type of marks that I make and forced me to look more closely at how to represent the subject rather than replicate or reproduce. This is still a work in progress, but it’s fun figuring out.
Moving from using charcoal to paint and brushes was a shift in techniques and thinking through the process. The application of paint is becoming more free, and I also use my hands and fingers to apply paint in some areas.
As of August 2018, I think I have 12 is the series and looking for an exhibition space to show as a collection.
If you are interested, most of these are available as originals and all are available as prints; either 18" x 24" or 8" x 10. I’m happy to print to other sizes if interested. Printed direct on canvas frame also available. Feel free to contact me for prices.
Next up... I'm thinking about adding color and may play with addition of more line work with oil pastels and integrate into the brush work.
Thoughts?
Acrylic on canvas 36” x 36”
Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 48"
Acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"
This is a rework of a painting I had worked on earlier. I wanted to bring more energy to the marks and deconstruct some of the original work to provide focus.
Acrylic on canvas 36” x 48”
In progress
Acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"
Acrylic on canvas 24” x 30”
Acrylic on Canvas 36” x 48”
Acrylic on canvas 36” x 48”
Acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"
3 years after painting the first Jimi Hendrix painting, I created this. A new painting. not a rework as the Nina Simone painting. I was interested how my style had developed over time.
Happy in a new home.
Acrylic on canvas 36” X 48”
Acrylic on canvas. 36” x 48”
Acrylic on canvas. 3' x 4'
Acrylic on Canvas 36” x 48”
Acrylic on black canvas. 36” 48”
Acrylic on canvas 36” x 48”
Commission
Acrylic on canvas. 24" x 36"
Acrylic and Pastel on canvas. 36" x 48"
Acrylic on canvas 24" x 36"
Acrylic on Canvas. 36” x 48”
Acrylic on canvas 36” x 48”
Acrylic and Pastel on canvas. 36" x 48"
Acrylic on canvas 30" x 48"
Acrylic on canvas 30" x 48"
Acrylic on black canvas. 36” x 48”
First acrylic painting 2016
Acrylic on canvas 36” x 48”
Commission
Acrylic on Canvas 36” x 48”
Acrylic on Canvas 36” x 48 “
(Original. Reworked above)
After taking some time away from figurative work and enjoying playing with bright color in the world of abstract art, I returned to portrait s and started playing with charcoal around 2010.
After using bright white paper for a while, I now use a mid-grey paper with white pastel for highlights. This allows me to contrast more and provide greater depth and form.
The 'Musicians' series have been created from January 2016 to present; Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse the most recent; completed in October and November 2017.
All are available for purchase as originals or same size prints. Please see Commerce for more details. 'Bay Made' (a really cool store in Oakland, CA dedicated to supporting Bay Area Artists) have been selling my prints since November 2017. Any others are available as prints on request. Some originals are also available. Fell free to contact me for availability and prices.
The 'Dafur' images are based on a series of photographs of people during the genocide in Darfur, Sudan in the early 2000's and were created in 2011. These were my first attempts using charcoal.
'Family and Friends' are some of the commissions I have undertaken over the last 5 years which now have homes in US, Switzerland, Dubai, and UK.
If you would like to commission a portrait, feel free to contact me via Contact
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal and white pastel on grey Strathmore paper. 16" x 19"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal and white pastel on grey Strathmore drawing paper 16” x 19”
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24"
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on grey paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Charcoal on white paper. 18" x 24".
Although I attended Art School and studied Graphic Design and Illustration, I did not receive any training as a watercolorist. Both a blessing and a curse, this has allowed me to experiment and discover different ways to use the medium.
This section shows a variety of techniques, and I use either oil pastels to then draw in some line work or slightly thicker water color for line work using a brush.
I haven’t used water colors in a while, but may get back in the play mode soon.
Happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to email me via contact.
OK. I have to confess that these are really fun to make. I started creating these in 2010 as small pieces and an opportunity for me to play with color and shapes and re-engage in the creative process after not painting for a while.
I often have no predetermined outcomes or expectations, although there are times when I have an idea in mind before I start.
Size varies from 8" x 8" to 30" x 30". Techniques changes with size and I am more like to be using brushes on the larger pieces and palette knives on the smaller ones. I also use screen printing squeegees to pull paint across the surface. The pieces with lettering are typically stenciled one letter at a time. I often use the paint straight from the tube, and mix it as I apply it to the surface. The color and shapes are often quickly and frequently revised until a composition starts appearing and then refined after that. I use palette knives, brushes, scraper boards, hands; anything that pushes the paint around the canvas, paper, or wood; whatever I happen to be painting on.
My design background has encouraged me to include shapes and other design elements and I often use any objects I have in the studio space to act as templates or stamps.
The figures that are the through-thread in the present work originally 'appeared' through the random use of color and shapes. In more recent work, these figures are more likely to be intentionally created and placed, although they do sometimes 'appear' as I move the paint and shapes around. I have no conscious idea as to why 3 people or 3 circles appear. Please let me know if you have any idea on this.
My abstract artwork typically have no titles although they may occasionally be titled as numbers and /or colors.
Acrylic on canvas 9" x 12"
Acrylic, pen, and pastel on wood. 10" x 15"
Acrylic on canvas 8" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas 9" x 12" SOLD
Acrylic on wood 8" x 8"
Acrylic on Canvas. 9" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas 9" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas frame 16" 20"
Acrylic on canvas frame 8" x 10"
Acrylic on wood 8" x 10"
Acrylic and oil pastel on canvas. 30" x 30"
Acrylic on canvas 8" x 10"
Acrylic on wood 12" x 12"
Acrylic on wood 12" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas 8" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas 8" x 10"
I started using Procreate and an Apple Pencil on iPad Pro to do smaller portraits and sketches as a way to practice and to challenge myself. As part of my creative process, I set time limits on these; typically about 50 - 70 minutes. Procreate creates time lapse videos and I started watching and using these to learn more about my own process; I thought I’d share.
Feel free to leave comments or questions.
For anyone thinking about using Procreate - it really is amazing.
Time Lapse Video using Procreate on iPad Pro
I use the Procreate app on an iPad Pro (12.9”) to create these images. Initially it was a way for me to sketch and push beyond some creative boundaries by working within a predetermined amount of time to see what I could create; 40, 50, 60 minutes. Some of these have taken longer as I add detail to explore. I have now start dot deconstruct some of these to explore how much can be removed and keep the essence of the essence the initial subject intact.
Procreate has an automatic video recorder, recording each mark being created so a time-lapse video can be replayed. It is a great learning opportunity to see an image move through the stages. Some of the videos have been uploaded for you to watch. Working on uplaoding more . You can also check out my You Tube Channel Symon Hayes
Using the originals to play with deconstructing the image. How much can I deconstruct and distort and leave the essence of the subject intact? Studies for larger 4’x3’ acrylic painting.
Using the originals to play with deconstructing the image. How much can I deconstruct and distort and leave the essence of the subject intact? Studies for larger 4’x3’ acrylic painting.
Animals
I typically only create art-works of animals as commissions. I am more than happy to undertake any that may make you smile.
Charcoal and white pastel on grey Strathmore paper. 18” x 24”
Charcoal and white pastel on grey Strathmore paper 18” x 24”
The two sets were created in December 2015. Inspired by some of my favorite quotes, they are created with acrylic and paper on canvas. Painted actual size. of 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" and 5"x 3".
Hopefully these will be available for sale soon.