Battle Of Bosworth Sketch - Part 2

Yesterday I posted the drawing for the opening spread of the Battle of Bosworth article I am illustrating. This second spread depicts the aftermath symbolically by showing the fallen King Richard III battle flag and the thrown horseshoe. This solution was my attempt to simplify the original concept proposed by the AD in which it appeared that the entire royal army would be raging into battle. I don't much like what I call "mob scenes" in my illustration work and I had already given a very ambitious view of the battle in the opening sketch, so this quieter resolution was embraced by the art director.  Both of these will be oil on panel. I'll post the finish pieces later.

Battle of Bosworth - Sketch

Battle of Bosworth- 11" x 17" graphite  drawing by Greg Newbold

Here is the working drawing for a magazine article  am illustrating that recounts the Battle of Bosworth, in which Richard III of England was defeated by Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond. The popular account of this battle suggests that a poor blacksmithing job resulting from a lack if time and nails led to Richard's horse throwing a shoe in combat. Richard's horse stumbled and fell after throwing a shoe he was forced to engage the battle on foot. He rose from the ground as his horse galloped away shouting "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"  Henry's army ultimately killed Richard and Henry assumed the throne. The Battle of Bosworth Field is deemed the decisive battle that ended the War of the Roses and brought to an end the reign of the Plantagenet dynasty in England. I admittedly am not an English history buff, so it was fun to dig a little into the details to arrive at what I hope is a pretty accurate depiction of the scene. I am limited as for time and space (note the large area to the left of the spread where type will fall), so I had to creatively suggest the raging battle. I also needed to focus on details like  the heraldry in the flag and the styles of armor and weapons of the period. If I did not achieve total accuracy in historical detail, I think that I was able to capture the spirit of the action. For me, that is half the battle, so to speak. This will be a fun one to paint. I am doing this one in oil and hope to get going on the paint phase it today assuming
I get approval from the client.

Worm Scale- Final

I finished up this little editorial piece today. I posted the explanation of the concept along with the sketch in a previous post a couple of days ago. I was asked to keep the background simple, so I opted for a water stained paper at low opacity. This magazine gets translated into several languages, so they like near white space in which to accommodate different amounts of type. Once again, this one was Photoshop over a graphite sketch.

Monolith- Finished

Monolith- by Greg Newbold; 24" x 24" oil on board; 2013

Just finished this one up today. I am particularly happy with the feeling of distance that I was able to convey with the atmospheric perspective. I also like that as I do more and more of these paintings, I become less attached. There was a time when I couldn't imagine letting go of my paintings, let alone my favorites. Over the years, I have done so much work, it becomes easier to see them go. In illustration, I always got the work back so it was not an issue. Working in the gallery market now, I have had to adjust to a different train of thought: that I am sharing my vision with the public and that letting the paintings go is part of the creative process. Also, getting a check is a nice motivator.

See my post of this painting in progress

Wendell Berry Portrait in Springville Spring Salon

Beckoning the Peace of Wild Things -  by Greg Newbold
oil on canvas 30" x 18" - 2013

I learned this morning that my recent portrait of Wendell Berry was accepted into the 89th Springville Spring Salon. My painting, now entitled "Beckoning the Peace of Wild Things", will hang in the Salon from April 20 to July 7, 2013. This exhibit is one of the most prestigious juried shows in the region and acceptance is always an honor. I am pleased to be counted among so many talented artists and friends. Congrats to all my art friends and even former students who also gained acceptance!

Springville Museum of Art hours and directions

The painting title comes from the Wendell Berry poem below.

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS 

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. 

— Wendell Berry

Do You Sell Your Feathers for Worms?

Here is the preliminary drawing for a magazine illustration I am working on. In the article, the allegory is told of how a bird begins to sell his feathers for worms thinking that is easier than actually going out and catching worms. Besides, he has so many feathers. Well, on the day he realizes that he can no longer fly, it is too late. Comparison is made to choices in our lives and the question posed is whether or not we are selling our feathers for worms? Do we trade what is of most value to us for something less, simply because it is easier? Do we opt for the smoother path or maybe even give up our dreams because they seem too hard? I have made a few of those choices in the past including diet and exercise.  That's why I am currently undertaking a challenging climb back to better physical fitness, but I bet there is something in every one's life that equates to selling your feathers for worms. Regardless of where you are in life, I think it's a topic worthy of consideration. What have you sold your feathers for? How have you recognized or overcome this? I look at where I want to be in all aspects of my life and realize that it will take time to grow back a few of my feathers before I can soar again. I'd love to hear your stories!

Work In Progress - Monolith

Monolith- WIP; 24" x 24" oil by Greg Newbold

I started this painting a while back and coming off the big Kolob painting last week, I decided it was time to finish it up. I had a good painting session last night and laid in the center section of the painting and look forward to getting the bottom section blocked in today. This rock is called Siegfried Pyre and can be seen from the north rim of  the Grand Canyon near Point Imperial. I am having fun painting a little bigger and it seems that my graphic sensibilities are showing up a bit more the larger I work. I am cool with that since it feels like a natural progression.