Peter's blog

Custodian of the choc chip cookies

Peter Strobos — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:14:29 +0000

Custodian of the choc chip cookies, graphite sketch on paper, 100 x 75 cm.

A little sketching fun

Peter Strobos — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:29:36 +0000

I thoroughly enjoy the creative surge that I feel every time I pick up a pencil or two for a study, or even only for a rough concept sketch. I always get the feeling that I should be doing this way more often. Below is an example of a rough graphite sketch on 120 GSM drawing paper, size A2.

Custodian #1 – rough concept sketch, graphite on paper, 59.5 x 42 cm

La Trascendencia

Peter Strobos — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:13:49 +0000

La Trascendencia, oil on linen, 59 x 39⅜ x 1¾ in. (150 x 100 x 4.5 cm).

La Trascendencia – ‘raw’

Peter Strobos — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:39:42 +0000

After a relaxing and wonderful long break, picking up from roughly where I left off in such a hurry!

A continuation from Concept sketches.

Creating ‘La Trascendencia’.

La Trascendencia taking shape.

La Trascendencia coming into being.

La Trascendencia – raw.

La Trascendencia waiting, ready for next stages.

To be continued…

Work in progress 2011 – Conclusion

Peter Strobos — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:15:03 +0000

Muse in Introspection, oil on linen, 78¾ x 39⅜ x 1¾ in. (200 x 100 x 4.5 cm).

Muse in introspection, face detail, oil on linen.

Muse in introspection, body detail, oil on linen.

Muse in introspection, hand detail, oil on linen.

Muse in introspection, leg detail, oil on linen.

Concept sketches

Peter Strobos — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:56:37 +0000

Concept sketches used for the development of another oil painting in progress.

Graphite concept sketches

Coloured pencil sketch in progress

Concept sketch in coloured pencil

Oil painting to follow…

Work in progress 2011 – Part 2

Peter Strobos — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 18:54:50 +0000

Been some time since the last post, so here goes! In future, I hope to make the time for more frequent updates. The previous post showed completion of the undercoat. The following stage covers painting of the actual colour layers, in preparation for further detail.

Adding colour to the undercoat

Building colour and reshaping where necessary

Finishing the colour layers

The painting is now ready for further layers, then detail and contrast.

In the next stage the hair will be completed, further layers will be added to refine the face and body, then final detail and contrast where required.

To be continued…

Work in progress 2011 – Part 1

Peter Strobos — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:02:04 +0000

After an unusual start to 2011, along with some interesting developments, the time has arrived for a long overdue look at one of the works that I am busy with.

Graphite sketch on paper.

Sketching with colour pencil on paper.

Colour concept sketch on paper.

Painting with oil on fine Belgium linen, stretcher size: 200cm x 100cm x 4.5cm

Undercoat for further layers.

With background undercoat.

Some adjustments, then drying time before proceeding.

To be continued…

An autumn artwork, continued

Peter Strobos — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:24:38 +0000

Since the last post I have added detail and contrast to the background, head and chest area. I painted in a background of autum leaves with motion blur to give the feel of her rising up from the forest floor through the canopy and ultimately into the open.

More working in of detail and contrast down toward the feet. At these stages I also shape the components of the figure until I am happy with the result.

The painting is basically complete. As per usual, I will continue to smooth out areas until I am happy with the finish, or until I get told to stop! Apparently these are finer details that most wouldn’t notice.

I am a perfect unlimited being, oil on linen, 59 x 39⅜ x 1¾ in. (150 x 100 x 4.5 cm).

An autumn artwork

Peter Strobos — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:43:26 +0000

A work in progress to offer random glimpses into the creative process behind one of my paintings. Several updates will be posted through to completion.

Once I have an idea of what I would like to create, I draw a series of rough graphite sketches to obtain a feel for the direction of the work. I find that sketching is good grounding, and more often than not, fun and relaxing too.

When happy with the result, I complete a concept sketch. This I sometimes draw in colour pencil instead of graphite.

Next I draw a light basic outline onto the linen, and begin to block in a rough background as a guide. Although this will mostly evolve as I progress, it gives a good impression of the direction of the painting.

Now that the groundwork is complete, I will begin with improvements and slowly work in the detail, layer upon layer, from rough through to a fine finish.

To be continued…