TERRANCE GRAVEN
  • Blog
  • CURRENT ART
    • Lay Still
    • Inverted Torches
    • Breath Body
    • Vanitas Painting
    • Legs Painting
    • Silhouettes
    • Mourning Armbands
    • Mourning Pins
    • Delightful Way
    • Rx Tablets
  • FUTURE ART
    • Mourning Handkerchiefs
    • Willow Wallpaper
    • MercuroChrome Paintings
    • Hang Your Heart
    • Mini Eye Portraits
    • Gold Trocar
    • Mortality Staff
    • Black Substrate
    • Body Supports
    • Body Positioner
    • Hand Holder
    • A/V
    • Glass Body
    • Self-Portrait
    • Scrying Mirror
    • Hospital Gown
  • FINISHED ART
    • EXHIBITED
    • Transition
    • I Transition I
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VANITAS PAINTING

Description:

Vanitas painting completed in the traditional 17th century Dutch style. A vanitas painting contains collections of objects symbolic of the inevitability of death and the transience and vanity of earthly achievements and pleasures; it exhorts the viewer to consider mortality.


​To do:

⬜︎  collect Vanitas painting examples
​⬜︎  make decision on hourglass purchase
⬜︎  buy hourglass
​⬜︎  refinish hourglass
​⬜︎  prepare panels
⬜︎  construct shadow box
⬜︎  collect items
⬜︎  paint legs
⬜︎  paint background black


Questions:

​⬜︎  Should hourglass be gold-leafed or painted black with gold detail?

•  Make decision on hourglass purchase

No matter which hourglass is chosen, I'm quite sure that I'll alter it in some way, whether it be a faux-finishing, aging, or gold-leafing.
​
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Example #1​
​9.5" x 6"

​$39.90 on Amazon
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Example #2
8.66" x 6"
​$42
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Example #3
​9" x 5"
$46 at Walmart
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Example #4
13" x 7"
​$40 on Amazon
Picture
Example #5
​8.25" T
$21.54 on Greenhomefair
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Example #6
10" x 5"
​$27 on Amazon
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Example #7
​$20 on Amazon
8" x 4"

If I choose this one, I would add short decorative walls to the top and bottom. Additionally, I would faux finish it to look like dark wood.
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Example #7 (rough sketch)
​A quick Photoshopped sketch of what it might look like.


•  Collect vanitas painting examples


​•  Complete sketches and paint studies - 07/12/18

I can't believe I haven't painted a Vanitas before! Every artist should create one at least once in their career, whether it be painting, photography, sculpture, etc.

My artist friend Sarah loved the idea, so I visited her amazing art studio and we both created a few watercolor paintings as a study. I really enjoyed myself and could not believe the way the time flew.
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​•  Complete sketches and paint studies - 09/01/18

Tonight I met with an artist friend Loretta to spend some creative time together. I've mentioned in the past that I want to do a Vanitas painting, so using watercolors, I created a study of a baby's skull. I will definitely use it as one of my props when it comes to completing the oil version.
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•  Prepare the panels

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  • Blog
  • CURRENT ART
    • Lay Still
    • Inverted Torches
    • Breath Body
    • Vanitas Painting
    • Legs Painting
    • Silhouettes
    • Mourning Armbands
    • Mourning Pins
    • Delightful Way
    • Rx Tablets
  • FUTURE ART
    • Mourning Handkerchiefs
    • Willow Wallpaper
    • MercuroChrome Paintings
    • Hang Your Heart
    • Mini Eye Portraits
    • Gold Trocar
    • Mortality Staff
    • Black Substrate
    • Body Supports
    • Body Positioner
    • Hand Holder
    • A/V
    • Glass Body
    • Self-Portrait
    • Scrying Mirror
    • Hospital Gown
  • FINISHED ART
    • EXHIBITED
    • Transition
    • I Transition I
  • CONTACT