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Motive Force: Step 2

Motive Force

This is the composition exactly as it will appear on the canvas. There are several obvious differences between this image and the compositional sketch. The train is more accurately drawn. I based the train on several photos of diesel passenger trains from the 1020’s to the 1940’s selecting the characteristics that most appealed to me. I then used simple three-point perspective to render the train from the same vantage point as the reference photos of the figure. (For those of you who are picky about this sort of thing, as I am, I assumed that the track drops slightly and begins turning to the right as it moves away from the figure.) The aspect ratio of the composition is also different. The taller image allows the train to be closer to the figure and creates a more dynamic composition. Also the burning oil fields in the background are missing. There are several reasons for this. As a cover idea, the image qualified more as an illustration than a work of fine art. As such it relied on the story to give meaning to elements such as the oil fields. As a stand alone work of art, the image needs to be independent of the story that inspired it so that it has meaning even to someone unfamiliar with its origin. The only hint available to viewer other than what can be seen in the picture is the title, Motive Force. Knowing the story adds to the piece, but not knowing it does not detract from it. Without the story, the burning oil derrick comes across just as destruction especially given recent world events.

I also decided after this drawing was complete to either change or simply eliminate the double ‘T’ logo on the front of the train.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, October 9th, 2004 at 5:04 pm and is filed under Motive Force. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Motive Force: Step 2”

  1. Jason Says:
    October 9th, 2004 at 10:30 am

    WOW!!! Another absolutely fantastic piece!! I am looking forward to watching the creation of another favorite!

  2. Keith Engel Says:
    October 9th, 2004 at 11:00 am

    Bryan, yet another great painting…who knows this just might turn out to be one of your most popular as well… I can only imagine how many people will be lining up to purchase this piece. I know I wish I could be one of them..always a fan.

  3. Bryan Larsen Says:
    October 12th, 2004 at 8:45 pm

    It’s great to have so much interest in the piece already. Thank you all for your comments. I am really pleased with the progress on this piece so far.

    Joanna: Participating in the Artist’s Studio has been my pleasure. Your curiosity about the color scheme of the piece will be satisfied shortly, but I can tell you now that I am using a fairly broad, realistic color palate.

    Steven: It’s good to hear from you. I am glad you like the piece so far.

    Kari: I am really glad I decided to have another go at this composition as well. I have always liked the idea, and it is turning out perfectly so far. If prints are made eventually, I will probably have one hanging in my house too.

    Keith: I certainly hope the piece is as popular as you speculate it might be. And if people are lined up to buy it, that’s OK with me too.

    Jason: I hope you continue to enjoy the painting as it progresses.

    As always, keep checking in to see the latest developments on the piece, and please send any comments or questions you may have to the gallery.

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About Bryan Larsen ~

Bryan Larsen

"I was born on February 12, 1975, and have been drawing as long as I can remember. By the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be an artist, although at the time I didn't have a clear idea of how exactly I would use my talents to make a living.

"As I continued studying art, I began to suspect that fine visual art was dead. No one seemed interested in teaching students how to draw well, or paint well. More often than not, my own skills exceeded those of my instructors.

"The only field left that seemed to require good drawing, painting, and compositional skills was illustration, and therefore I began studying illustration at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. I became even more convinced that I had made the right decision in staying away from fine art as I endured course after course of required "drawing" and "painting" classes in which instructors required me to draw with "less focus", or use ridiculous materials such as shellac, glue, sand, salt, etc.

"My second year at Utah State, I met Damon Denys. In discussing Art with him I realized that there were other people who believed that technique and subject matter were indispensable components of any work of art. I then decided that I would work to develop my own painting skills with the purpose of creating artwork that I considered worthy of being called Fine Art.

"Since that time, I have studied on my own: Drawing from live models to learn the human form, studying proper painting techniques from any source I could find ample reason to trust, and developing a philosophy of Art based on reason, and life on earth.

"My goal is to portray the heroic and romantic in human nature and human achievement in a realistic style and a modern setting. I place particular emphasis on composition, technique, realistic detail, proper craftsmanship and consistency of style."