Creative Process: Eric Fortune
beginning sketch
An artist you will be hearing more of in the future, Eric Fortune, has sent us some progression images of his latest piece “A Want To Believe.” Eric has a career in illustration but seems to be making a transition into the gallery scene with shows coming up at Ad Hoc Gallery, Cerasoli-LeBasse, and Roq La Rue. We love his elegant composition, delicate poses, and rendered lighting that seem to make his paintings glow.
This will be the first of a series of “creative process” features that AM is working on that will allow artists to explain their craft to our readers in their own words. As collectors, we are definitely interested in how a certain artist achieves their characteristic effects or came up with an idea. This will allow us to satisfy our curiosity as well as yours!
Read as Eric explains his process from beginning to end after the jump…
final painting
“First, I need an idea/concept worthy of becoming a painting. Sometimes they come in a flash (my personal favorite) and sometimes I grind through sketches until I’ve worked everything out. A lot of sketches don’t make the cut.”
“Once I have the sketch worked out I have a model, usually family or friend, pose for photo ref. Afterwards, I use a light table to loosely transfer my sketch. Using the photo ref I then refine the drawing on the paper. It’s always a bit of a struggle finding the balance of using the photo ref and maintain the freshness of the initial sketch. Using acrylic paints on arches water color paper I start off by doing broad thin washes of paint.”
“It’s basically multiple….MULTIPLE layers of thin washes. Slowly building up the value and color. As I paint there’s usually room for some unexpected things to happen as the washes may start to form “shapes” on their own.”
“Over the years I’ve become a little better at letting some things in the painting go and tightening up on others. This can create a sense of depth as well as juxtaposing something well rendered next to something more loose and spontaneous. As I approach the end of the painting I find it easier to put in the long hours because I really enjoy noodling details. The sooner I get to the end the sooner I can noodle out details and tweak the image until it’s just the way I want it.”
Discuss Eric Fortune here.
Tags: Creative Process, Eric Fortune, Features, Low Brow Art
December 18th, 2008 at 11:12 am
NICE PAINTING. LOVE THE COLOR’S
December 18th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Thank you for sharing this process/interview! Eric is one of my favorite artists. Looking at his work is one of the highest forms of inspiration and fulfillment for me. He is a true master!!
December 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
very impressive. i always love it when artists share the secret of their artistic process. i really like your work, keep it up.
kevin razmus
numberfive1 studios
numberfive1.com
December 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Eric!
Wonderful & I understand your point of loseing the freshness of initial sketch:)I though I was the only one that happen to.
Great Job!
xox
December 18th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Eric,
What a wonderful piece you’ve created. I really admire your work with watercolor. As another who works in the medium, I am definitely inspired!
Great Job,
B
December 18th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
ooops, guess I’ll read the word part before I write next time! Anyway, I still love it.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Always nice to see your work in progress … watching in person takes great patience
A fabulous painting, and a great step into the gallery scene.
Congratulations on your shows.
All the best, Joe
December 19th, 2008 at 2:13 am
what an amazing piece and process. you are so talented eric!
December 19th, 2008 at 5:02 am
[...] Arrested Motion just did a really cool feature chronicling the creation of a painting by Eric Fortune. The article covers Fortune’s artist process in-dept from sketch to finished piece. It’s a very cool and informative read. Check it out at ArrestedMotion.com. [...]
December 19th, 2008 at 10:00 am
[...] extraordinaire, Eric Fortune has just posted a step by step commentary on his creative process HERE. Really amazing stuff Eric, keep it [...]
December 20th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Thanks Everyone^_^
December 24th, 2008 at 10:47 am
[...] every time that I start a new art project is my process. I realize I have a lot to learn, and so posts like this really go a long way to help me learn without trial and [...]
May 12th, 2009 at 3:38 am
my god…that is amazing! you have such an incredible mind…
August 20th, 2009 at 7:29 am
What weight watercolor paper do you use?