Unbodied, Bodied, Blown and Boiled Oils

[bjh]

Kenneth, Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. You mentioned twice a modello: taking a modello to the sight, and then I believe, painting over a modello. Would you explain what you mean by that exactly? Thank you

[bjh]

PS:

In other words, it sounds like it is a "study" or "sketch", but each of those terms has a specific meaning; study being a fairly precise working out of a larger painting to come, sketch being a more spontaneous, information gathering exercise.

[Kenneth Freed]

Thanks for your question BJH, I realize that I was not clear on my procedure.

What format that I am using depends on the project needs, the length of time that I have and weather. I have frequently worked with, as you describe sketches, which is what much of my alla prima/plein-aire work is. It has no specific purpose and is done for pure enjoyment. Sometimes it turns into something and then sometimes and more often not.

If I know that I want to do a composition of a specific site, I will sometimes do a modello or specific study for the painting in a reduced scale.

And finally, even if the painting is enormous, I like to bring the painting to the site and work on it for some period of time. I also work on the same large landscapes in the studio as well because they require endless hours of glazing and fussing about. As did the Hudson River School painters and others.